BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (MCT) — A Bloomington man injured in February when a gun accidentally discharged at a gun show has filed a lawsuit against the gun owner, the employee of a pawn shop handling the sale of the weapon and show organizers.
Robert Feldkamp suffered gunshot wounds to his chest and back Feb. 26 when the Ruger Mini-14 semiautomatic weapon he was holding at the Egyptian Gun Collectors Show at the Bloomington Sale Barn discharged. Two others also were injured.
Feldkamp and his wife, Carmelita, are seeking more than $50,000 on multiple counts alleging negligence against gun owner Scott Simpson of Hoopeston; Robert Rigdon, who is an employee of Gold & Diamond Exchange Pawn Shop Inc. of Urbana; and the Egyptian Gun Collectors Association.
The pawn shop and Rigdon are accused of failing to inspect guns to ensure that no live ammunition was in the gun chambers and of failing to place safety locks on the guns and monitor customers to prevent accidental shootings.
The gun collector's association did not make sure vendors had procedures in place to prevent the exhibition of loaded weapons and did not conduct safety checks, said court documents. The show organizers also failed to make certain patrons used gun safety techniques to prevent accidental discharges of weapons, said the lawsuit.
Hoopeston gun owner Scott Simpson was negligent in that he transferred the loaded weapon to a third party and failed to check the weapon for ammunition, said the lawsuit filed by Bloomington lawyer David Dorris.
Feldkamp claims that he has suffered pain and disability as a result of the shooting.
The lawsuit lists Joseph Gift, the Washington resident who was holding the gun when it went off, and Beer Nuts Inc., owner of the building, as respondents in discovery, meaning they must provide information to attorneys and could be added as parties to the litigation later.
A hearing is scheduled in the lawsuit Jan. 5, 2012.
Criminal misdemeanor charges of reckless conduct are pending against Rigdon.
In March, Bob Leckrone with the gun show said he still was not sure how the incident happened.
The Egyptian Gun Collector's Association has scheduled a two-day show Nov. 12 and 13 at the Interstate Center. Bloomington police do not plan to monitor the event, a department spokesman said Wednesday.