New Hampshire teen hurt in potato gun mishap

[MaineCWPtraining]

Union Leader

KEENE – A 14-year-old Keene boy suffered serious facial injuries yesterday when he was struck by a potato fired from a homemade gun, Alstead police said.

The child, whose name was withheld because he is a juvenile, was flown to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon after the 3:27 p.m. incident.

The boy was playing in a field off Griffin Hill Road in Alstead with Robert Guyette, 18, and Gibson Chase-Pinkney, 19, both of Keene, Lt. Marcello D'Alessandro said.

The potato gun malfunctioned, he said.

While the 14-year-old and Chase-Pinkney examined the gun, it went off, striking the boy in the face, he said.

The potato gun was made of PVC piping and used hairspray as the propellent, which the boys ignited with a spark, police said.

 

[Garys]

Was this kids name Wile E. Coyote?

 

[Twigg]

The potato gun malfunctioned, he said.

While the 14-year-old and Chase-Pinkney examined the gun, Somebody filled it with hairspray and ignited it, striking the boy in the face, he said.

The potato gun was made of PVC piping and used hairspray as the propellent, which the boys ignited with a spark, police said.

What really happened.

 

[cricco]

What really happened.

That's generally the way those things are made. They use hairspray or some other flamable spray as a propellant.

 

[WaldoOneFive]

Fail.

Seriously though, I love how the 14 year old is the one that got hurt...

There's the 18 and 19 year olds: "Johhny look in the tube see what is wrong with this thing."
Johnny 14 year old: "OK!"

 

[Gonzo]

This has me all mashed up inside.

 

[Spanz]

You spray some hairspray in the tube, and then quickly close the end with a plug. If you hurry and ignite it while the hairspray is still a gas, it explodes. So they were probably hurrying to screw on the end plug, mis threaded it, and it did not hold up to the pressure when ignited.

 

[crazymjb]

That is a potato cannon, this is a potato gun:

At least they didn't call it an AK-47.

Mike

 

[JoeT]

I've shot hundreds of potatoes this way (as a kid growing up in Waltham) Tennis balls work awesome too.

None of us were ever dumb enough to look into the tube

 

[MA_Shooter]

Deleted.

 

[EddieCoyle]

Hold my beer and watch this...

 

[DickWanner]

This kid should never own any type of firearm.

-MS

Glad you know enough about the kid and the situation to make judgements about their 2A rights

 

[K-DUB]

What really happened.

When I was younger (& cared less about safety) I had one that worked the same way.

Of course, we pointed it at stuff, not people.

I hope the kid recovers fully.

 

[JS870]

surprised they didn't blame myth busters for this one......they had an episode using one of these couple weeks ago haha

 

[Bill Nance]

Sounds like some kids who were just having some fun even though it was a pretty poor use of materials. Seriously, I did stuff a lot worse than these guys, I was just lucky enough to never get seriously hurt. Didn't you guys ever do something really dumb at 14? -Sounds like the PVC exploded.

 

[copterdoctor]

The injuries could be very serious. My spud guns have a muzzle velocity of 325 to 350 fps. Slow for a bullet, but moving right along for a potato. When shooting at a concrete wall or a tree from about 25 feet, the impact energy is impressive.

 

[Bill Nance]

This kid should never own any type of firearm.

-MS

I think after your comment you should never be allowed to speak your mind again. -See how that works?

 

[mikem317]

Where's the ATF where you need them?

 

[Chris]

Poor kid. Now if they had been taught in school the very first gun safety rule, he might not have done something like that. But since it seems the only PC kind of Gun Safety Training is to do NOTHING, this is what happens.

I blame every zero-tolerance policy for this.

 

[one-eyed Jack]

Sounds like a half-baked idea to me. Jack.

 

[DickWanner]

I think after your comment you should never be allowed to speak your mind again. -See how that works?

Due to a lack of maturity shown with posting on an internet forum I have determined that you are not responsible enough to possess a keyboard

 

[Ski]

He could have lost his eye sight, hearing....he could have died.
Reconstructive facial surgury is likely.

Someones child.

Hope he'll be ok.

 

[Horrible]

Where's the ATF where you need them?

Looks like they are tied up...David Koresh style.

http://www.northeastshooters.com/vb...it-begins...FBI-raids-Christian-militia-group

 

[sig2009]

Don't people in NH have anything better to go. How Stupid!

 

[HooVooLoo]

Well, if he had acne, then all that is left to do is pick up the pieces and stir up some homefries!

 

[MaineCWPtraining]

Flow down the Saco Rivah they are prominent.

 

[CRSIII]

Where's the ATF where you need them?

Au gratin, tater-tots and french fries?

 

[Finalygotabeltfed]

Where's the ATF where you need them?

Right where they should be....UNINVOLVED.

 

[MaineCWPtraining]

Already in play sad to say.

 

[Pete85]

Good thing they weren't in MA. They'd be charged with illegal possession of a firearm.

Hope the kid ends up alright.