Reader report: ‘Note to parents about bullets and shells’

| Safety | West Seattle news

That’s how West Seattle mom Holli Margell headed her note, including this photo and report:

At (Southwest Athletic Complex) this evening around 7 pm, my 4th grader found six shells during track and field practice. He put them in a pile to the side so no one would step on them, then he came and told me about them. I had never thought I’d need to tell my kids to never touch bullets or shells they saw on the ground before!

I’m hoping that anyone else who heard or saw something suspicious reported or reports it too.

And, while I have talked to my kids about never touching a gun they find, and the importance of telling an adult if they do, I learned this evening that talk should include bullets and shells.

In a followup exchange, she said the shells were on the turf field near the southern goal. And yes, she reported the discovery to police.

jake form state farm April 23, 2016 (12:02 am)

These might be shells from a starter pistol. They use 22 shorts. Also there is a shooting range at the stadium, which is perfectly legal but bad form by littering

WSB April 23, 2016 (12:34 am)

JFSF – I know there’s a shooting range at West Seattle Stadium but have never heard of one at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle). Where is it?

935 April 23, 2016 (6:22 am)

JFSF – the lettering on the hull calls it a 32SW, as in a .932 caliber Smith and Wesson. Also, .22 cal starter rounds are rimfire, these are clearly center primer…

.32 caliber is just a bit larger than a .22 and not considered a defense weapon due to its lethargic speed and small diameter bullet…It did however kill McKinley – sort of. He took 2 in the abdomen and died shortly thereafter of gangrene.

I applaud Holli for her education of her children. Guns are NOT toys and should NEVER be touched without training or (for children) wihout a responsible adult present.

candrewb April 23, 2016 (7:36 am)

Just asking, if not for defense than what is its purpose?
- AMD April 23, 2016 (7:46 am)
  
  Target shooting (sport).
- Question Mark April 23, 2016 (2:59 pm)
  
  Wikipedia, [1] reports that “[t]he .32 S&W was offered to the public as a light, defense cartridge, for ‘card table’ distances.” That is, a concealable, defensive gun for point blank and close range response to a threat such as in a carriage or alley way.
  
  [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.32_S%26W

Marco April 23, 2016 (7:10 am)

Definitely starting pistol blanks. Always collect your brass.

Paul April 23, 2016 (7:15 am)

Or how about .32 s&w blank starting gun shells, (revolver for track meet starting, hence the six shells) that were improperly disposed of. Just a thought.

AMD April 23, 2016 (7:45 am)

Random but related note: if the child (or anyone) DOES handle any ammunition (spent or otherwise), make sure they know to wash their hands because bullets can have lead residue on them. Not all ammo does, but lead exposure isn’t worth the risk, especially when we’re talking about kids.

Holli Margell April 23, 2016 (8:41 am)

I do hope these are from a starting pistol. Still don’t know yet. The track and field group practices at Chief Sealth Athletic field but the meets are at WS Stadium. So, maybe the high school meets use them?

Finding shells or bullets not in the woods or at a shooting range was something that caught me off guard. And, given the number of shootings we have had, I thought better to report then to putt them in the trash as litter.

pagefive April 23, 2016 (9:00 am)

Middle school track meets are at the Southwest Complex and Nathan Hale this season. The first track meet at Southwest was a few weeks ago, before spring break.

jake form state farm April 23, 2016 (9:29 am)

935 – Starter pistols do come in 32 caliber and they are center prime.

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/ammo-32-s-and-w-remington-blank-cartridge-50-rounds-per-box-047700063102/ViewLarger.do?sortby=priceAscend&alt=0

but yes she did the right thing!

Holli Margell April 23, 2016 (11:08 am)

Thank you Jake and others. I appreciate the WS Blog and commentors for helping to figure this out.

Bradley April 23, 2016 (2:23 pm)

Classic starter pistol blank brass. Nothing to be concerned about. However, shame on the starter for not picking up his own brass afterwards.

David Feinberg April 23, 2016 (10:59 pm)

Metro League has been holding high school track and field meets at Southwest Athletic Complex more-or-less every Thursday since the week of March 20. According to my notes, the most recent Metro League meet ended around 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, 4/21/2016. Starter for these meets uses .32 caliber blank shells.

Sorry, comment time is over.