As the election window wound down, there were several media reports repeating an unsubstantiated allegation that Montana U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy mishandled a firearm, resulting in personal injury to himself.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation called this a “months-old and unproven allegation resurfacing in the closing days of a hotly-contested election.”
Further, NSSF examined the facts, as presented by media reporting, and offered the following observations based on the design, safety features and protocols, and caliber of the firearm Mr. Sheehy was carrying at the time of the alleged incident in Glacier National Park in October 2015:
“The proper way to carry a single-action Colt .45 revolver is with the hammer down on an empty chamber to prevent an unintended discharge should the firearm be accidentally dropped or fall,” an NSSF press release stated.
“Based on the facts as we understand them, the park ranger found the revolver with the hammer down on an empty chamber. Therefore, it would appear Mr. Sheehy was following proper gun safety protocol. In which case, the revolver could not have discharged a round unintentionally even if it was accidentally dropped or fell,” said Lawrence G. Keane, senior vice president and general counsel for NSSF, the firearm industry trade association.
“Additionally, modern firearms are designed to industry standards to withstand abusive mishandling to prevent them from discharging unintentionally if dropped,” Keane added. “A point-blank discharge of a Colt .45 round would have caused extensive – and obvious – damage to Mr. Sheehy’s arm and would have required immediate medical attention, possibly including surgery, of the gunshot wound. If Mr. Sheehy were actually shot at Glacier as is alleged, it is unimaginable he would walk out of the hospital just a few hours later.
“For these reasons, we believe the allegation, as reported by the media, that Tim Sheehy’s single action Colt .45 revolver discharged when it fell or was dropped, striking him in his arm is false and inaccurate.”
Click here to read the AP story that NSSF debunks.
Also, on Nov. 5, Sheehy beat three-term Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, cementing Republican dominance in Montana, where the party now controls every statewide political office. The GOP enjoys a decisive majority in the state Legislature, and Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte won reelection.
