Gun-seller to compensate

A Florida jury has awarded US$1.2mn compensation to the widow of a teacher, Barry Grunow, shot by a pupil using a pistol without a safety lock. Although the vendor was held only 5% liable this is the first such verdict has been made against a gun-seller. The gun’s owner, who left it where the angry 16-year-old could easily take it, was held 95% liable, carrying the bulk of the US$24mn verdict. It is also the first time this cheap “Saturday night special” has been deemed to require a safety catch.