A Kentucky lawmaker’s handgun accidentally fired while she was trying to unload it in her Capitol Annex office on the first day of the legislative session.
Rep. Leslie Combs issued a statement saying the shot was fired unintentionally.
“I’m a gun owner. It happens,” the Democrat said Wednesday, adding that she has a license to conceal and was following safety precautions as she unloaded her Ruger 380 semi-automatic handgun. “I urge everyone to be extremely cautious with their firearm. I know from personal experience how easy it is to discharge a firearm accidentally.”
State Police Sgt. Jason Palmer said Miss Combs accidentally fired the gun once at about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. No one was injured and no evidence of criminal activity was found, USA Today reported.
A House colleague was in Miss Combs’ office at the time to discuss legislation, he told the New York Daily News.
“She was emptying the weapon and she thought that it was empty and pointed it away and down and pulled the trigger and it went off,” said Rep. Jeff Greer.
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“Thankfully, no one was hurt. I know she feels terrible about it. … It’s just an unfortunate event,” he said.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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