Leahy told police she was joking around when she pointed the gun at her crotch and fired.

Hospital reports said the bullet came in through the woman’s groin and exited through her buttocks. The bullet was reportedly found in the car by police officers.

The man to whom the gun belonged, a 33-year-old man, had the proper license to carry the weapon, police said. When asked why she shot herself, the woman told officers she thought it was a toy gun, even though she said she knew her friend carried a real gun.

Leahy was airlifted to South Bend Memorial Hospital. Michigan City Police are investigating the incident.

Submitted on 12/12/2006

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: Herald Argus, 12-11-06

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Neutral: Other
Accidental groin shootings are way too common, though I will admit that we don't often get women who do it! If there is any evidence of her having shot out her reproductive ability, this could be a DA! Needless to say, I will vote neutral (rather than toss outright) because a) it's a woman, for cryin' out loud, and b) she "thought" it was a toy gun. Even a moron knows a real gun weighs considerably more than a toy, but we're not talking rocket science here, now are we?!

Graham said:
Definitely Toss: Not Amusing
How many "groin shots" is that this year alone now? How does one "play" with a gun, anyway? These stories are not even about stupidity - it's a whole nuther animal. Fortunately, she only shot herself. She may have shot the driver and killed them all. Tsk, tsk . . .

Jack said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
While it could have used a better write up, I'll vote to keep it. As James says, we rairly get submissions about the "smarter sex" and firearms accidents. In addition, picking up a gun when she *knew* her friend had a real pistol, pointing at herself and pulling the trigger puts makes this Darwin grade stupidity. Should she lose her ability to reproduce, I'll vote to make this a full DA. Thanks for the submission.

Chip said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
Yes, we do get lots of self-inflicted gunshot stories but this is the first I can remember of a woman who did it. Hard to believe she thought it was a toy! I'll vote HM on this one and let the readers decide. Thanks for the story.

Darwin said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
What a nitwit! Unclear if the result is a Darwin Award, incapable of reproduction, or an Honorable Mention, who nearly missed her internal gonads.

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