Man accidentally shoots himself in the thigh at shooting range parking lot

A man planning to do some target shooting at Andy Dalton Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center accidentally shot himself in the leg while still in his vehicle, a range manager confirmed Friday.

Mike Brooks, outdoor education manager at the range, said a man accidentally shot himself in his upper right thigh with a 9mm handgun.

"We rendered aid and contacted authorities," Brooks said Friday afternoon. "The Greene County Sheriff's Office responded and worked it. He was transported by a Mercy ambulance."

The man's condition was not immediately available.

Brooks said the man was coming to the range to target shoot, but the accident happened inside his private vehicle at the range's parking lot.

"The takeaway from this whole incident is that you have to be cautious, alert and aware any time you're handling a firearm," Brooks said. "You have to follow the golden rule of firearm safety — always point a gun in a safe direction. That doesn't just apply to handguns, it applies to all firearms."

The Andy Dalton Shooting Range is located west of Willard at the Bois D'arc Conservation Area.

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