Photo: Michael Gage Jr.

A Gassville man who said he accidentally shot himself while cleaning a pistol and ended up being arrested for handling the gun was in Baxter County Circuit Court earlier this month.

The charges were filed late month when it was discovered 43-year-old Michael Gage Jr. had been convicted of felonies in Missouri. It is unlawful for convicted felons to be in possession of weapons.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Gage was asked if he had a governor’s pardon or court order restoring his right to handle weapons.

Gage was reported to have claimed his right to be around firearms had been restored. He was told to contact his attorney and have any paperwork pertaining to the restoration sent to him, so it could be provided to the sheriff’s office.

He initially agreed.

According to the probable cause affidavit, both Gage and his spouse were quoted as claiming the gun belonged to the wife, and the deputy making out the report had “lied” in some unspecified manner.

Gage changed his mind at some point and said he would not get the paperwork pertaining to the alleged restoration of his right to be in possession of firearms because of the unspecified lie the deputy had allegedly put in the incident report.

Gage told investigators the shooting occurred when he was sitting at his dining room table cleaning a pistol. He said the weapon slipped out of his hand and, when he tried to grab it, the gun went off.

The bullet was reported to have gone through his arm and into the wall behind him. When a Baxter County deputy sheriff arrived on the scene, he found Gage in the garage of the residence putting a bandage on his arm.

According to the report, Gage refused any further medical attention.

He is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

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