The Idiot Finally Does the Right Thing

Thanks to loyal reader Charlie Knight for passing along the news that the imbecile re-enactor who fired a live round at another re-enactor and wounded him has finally done the right thing and pled guilty.

From today’s issue of the Hampton Roads Virginian-Pilot:

Civil War re-enactor pleads guilty, must take gun course

By Linda McNatt
The Virginian-Pilot
© June 25, 2009
ISLE OF WIGHT

A 30-year-old Civil War re-enactor pleaded guilty Wednesday to a misdemeanor charge of reckless handling of a firearm in regard to a shooting in September while filming a battle scene.

Joshua Silva of Norfolk must complete a gun safety course and pay $1,200 in restitution before his scheduled return to court Sept. 16. If he completes those requirements, the charges will be dismissed, Commonwealth’s Attorney Wayne Farmer said.

Silva was a walk-on in the Civil War documentary “Overland Campaign Web Series Project.” He carried a replica of a 19th-century .45-caliber pistol with live ammunition. When he fired the gun, the bullet struck Thomas R. Lord Sr. of Suffolk. Lord was flown from Heritage Park on Courthouse Highway to a Norfolk hospital.

Lord was portraying a Union soldier; Silva was on the side of the South. The shooting happened during one of the scenes that involved a volley of shots between the two armies.

Farmer said officials believe Silva did not know the gun was loaded.

“The victim is satisfied with the agreement,” Farmer said. “Mr. Silva broke a cardinal rule of re-enacting – never, ever use live fire.”

Most re-enactments include a weapons check as part of the routine, Farmer said, but somehow that part of the routine must have slipped by in this incident.

“This could have been much, much worse.”

Lord, 73, was shot in the shoulder, near the collar bone, Farmer said. He has recovered and still takes part in re-enactments.

Linda McNatt, (757) 222-5561, linda.mcnatt@pilotonline.com

I’m glad that this moron finally accepted responsibility for his galactic stupidity and pled guilty. One can only hope that he has learned his lesson and will check his gun to see if it’s loaded next time he goes to a reenactment…..