Florida Kid Shoots Themselves in the Foot, Literally

Some kid managed to shoot themselves in the foot, literally. Not some crazy metaphor, but an actual gunshot wound to the foot. This all happened on Saturday night at the North Fort Myers Recreation Center. Now, when you’re hanging out at a recreation center, the last thing you expect is someone popping off rounds, right? But somehow, it happened.

According to NBC2, while people were chilling at a nearby football game, they happened to see someone with a gun, and they began to panic, because who wouldn't? Next thing you know, deputies are on scene, and they tell everyone to huddle up in the concession building while they figure out what’s going on.

And when I say "figure out," I mean they went all out. They brought drones, helicopters, K-9 units, like they were preparing for a showdown. But after sweeping the area, it turns out... there’s no immediate threat. No one was running around causing trouble. It’s just a quiet night, except for that mystery gunshot.

Now, fast forward about an hour, and guess what? The mystery is solved. A kid shows up at Cape Coral Hospital with a bullet wound in their foot. Right in the Foot. Ouch! They then fess up to the cops saying they accidentally managed to shoot themselves in the foot back at the park. So, not only did this juvenile injure themselves, but they also got busted for having a firearm in the first place. Possession of a gun by a minor? Yeah, not cool. So they’re treated for their injury and immediately hit with charges.

In the end, nobody else was hurt, which is probably the best part of the whole chaotic scene. A lot of cops showed up, and a lot of resources were used, but no shootout or standoff. Just a dumb accident involving a kid who shouldn't have had a gun in the first place. Could’ve been worse, though, right?

You are NOT allowed to bring a gun onto a plane in your carry on bag.  Even if you have a concealed carry permit. You can bring a gun on a plane if it is unloaded and packed in a locked, hard-sided case and the bag is checked. Despite that very clear rule, many people continue to bring guns in their carry-ons. And Florida airports are seeing a lot of them.

The TSA announced in a press release " Nationwide, TSA officers stopped 6,542 firearms at checkpoints at 262 different airports, surpassing the previous record of 5,972 firearms caught at checkpoints last year. The majority of those firearms (88%) were loaded. " On average, that's one gun for every 116,394 travelers screened nationwide. But of course, some airports see more than others.

Last week we noted, Four of the Top Five Worst Airports in the U.S. Are In Florida. At least Florida is slightly better on this list. However, neither of these lists compare to what went down in Atlanta this week:

The Tampa Bay Times states, "In Florida, TSA officers confiscated a record 854 guns in 2022. That’s a 28% increase from the previous record in 2021." And it's not a small deal, either. I'm sure for many of these it was a mistake. But that mistake can involve criminal charges and a fine of up to nearly $15,000.  - Careful if you click on the Tampa Bay Times link, you only get three free articles before they start charging you.

So how does Florida rank on people trying to brings guns onto planes? Not as bad as you'd think. Sure, even one is too many, but take a look at what is going on in Atlanta. Below is the ranking, airport, and guns caught by TSA at checkpoints in 2022.

That beats Tampa's previous record of 105 in 2021.

This must be why the new Grand Theft Auto is based around the Miami area.

Texas also has 3 airports on this list. Before you think this is mostly a Florida and Texas problem - read on.

True story - I wore an Illuminati t-shirt at this airport hoping I'd be escorted into a secret meeting room. This was back around 2013 when Colorado just legalized recreational marijuana so it's possible I was high as eggs when I tried it. The Denver Airport has more conspiracy theories than guns. So many that they had to issue a statement.

There's Orlando. In the Four of the Top Five Worst Airports in the U.S. Are In Florida, Orlando was voted number one. 162 guns a year is just over 3 a week.

196 guns. That's nothing compared to what they find in San Antonio.

Good ol' boys and their guns?

More Texas. What's the difference between an Intercontinental and International Airport?

Texas again. I get it, you have guns. But you don't need it on the plane.

Coming in first and not even close is Atlanta. If you're working TSA in Atlanta expect at least a gun a day.  You see how I put that video from Atlanta earlier in the story? That's called foreshadowing. I'm good at this. I actually wrote a series that starts off with a 2 hour movie and then goes into 8 -  30 minute shows. It's about old people doing crazy stuff at nursing homes because they're bored. You listening Netflix? Call me.