Yes, they probably would have said the same thing, half-wit, and it would in fact have been a weird detail.

This doctor doesn't know what he is talking about. Bullets are not sterile and in fact are commonly the source of infection. To the degree that they are hot, it is not because they are "high speed." It's because they are blasted out of a barrel by high explosives. Frictional heating by the air is not significant at small-arms balistic velocities.

Gee, Mark! You're so smart! Bet you could be a doctor, too, huh!!

Its weird how some people survive certain death and others die from a slight slip. I guess when its time to go, its time to go..

Mark, I don't need to pick nits, but bullets are not "blasted out of a barrel by high explosives". A bullet coming out of a barrel in an exquisitly timed sequence of events which depends upon the smooth burning of a low explosive to propel the bullet out of the barrel.

I wonder what Bin Laden would have to say about this?

Its a common misconception that by adding heat to something makes it sterile. You need to add high heat and high pressure to actually sterilize. As far as bullet causing infection, doubt it.

With the use of "common sense" on the decline all over the world, I wonder what would happen if he decided to fly to the US. Do you think he would have a problem with airport screening as one of the examiners might think if he has a bullet in his head he must have a gun shoved up is a-s in an attempt to high jack the plane.

We sure are fortunate to have Mark to tell us what's up with this man. The doctors are clearly idiots and we should all look to Mark for our information on absolutely EVERYTHING. What a creep. I hate know it alls.

MarkC......obviously the bullet did not cause any infections. The man was 3 when shot and is 82 frigging years old now.

My wife often complains of living with this "incredible pain in her ass". I wonder if she was shot as a child?

Sirlafalot,

You need to quit that..That's not normal sexual activity!!! LOL

As far as bullet causing infection, doubt it.

I guess lead poisoning never killed anyone...

I do not buy the heat sterilization theory, I think more than likely it was the boys youth and good health and his bodies remarkable ability to isolate the bullet.

Infection was a leading cause of death from non leathal bullet wounds prior to the advent of modern(post 1890's)smokeless powder and copper and brass jacketed bullets, Even a minor wound from a firearm employing an unjacketed lead projectile propelled by blackpowder would cause a wound that would quickly become infected.

I imagine that not operating on the brain was probably a very good idea 80 yrs ago..Wonder if he had any problems going thru airports??

I wonder if it's appropriate to insert a 'in Soviet Russia' joke.

Book em Dano. In airports over the last decade the bullet has increased his difficulty making out the gate signs, he has trouble hearing the announcements, his legs ache like hell, and he can't seem to pass a restroom without stopping in for a visit. He has more hair in his ears than on his head, and emits noises that he can't determine their place of origin. Poor bastard!

I think I like you

I think I like you..

Sirlafalot - that's me, too, and nobody ever shot me. Wonder what my excuse is. My wife also has the same complaints as your wife. and I'm nowhere near my 80's.

I see several things here...

First would be the gun and projectile. The Soviet Union had considerable armed forces, but outside of the military, the nation was never awash with guns. This would be for economic reasons as much as political...firearms are expensive and historically Russia as a whole has been just a step above broke. I'm guessing that perhaps this older brother was a good 20 years' the victim's senior and probably a young policeman, military officer, or else he held a position in the Communist Party that would have entrusted him with a handgun (like 'secret police' kind of position).

Circa 1930, the gun would have been most likely what the old Russians referred to as a 'three line' and the Soviets would have called a 7,62mm. To the US, it would be a .30 caliber. For a handgun, that's a small bullet. The 7,62 mm Samozaryadnyj Pistolet Tokareva obraztsa 1930 goda, known to the English-speaking world as the Soviet TT-30 pistol or as a 'Tokarev' would have been brand-spanking new at the time, so I doubt this was the weapon the brother accidentally discharged into the kid's face. The Tokarev's 7.62x25mm cartridge is hot, with a muzzle velocity of something like 1400 feet per second, and would have probably pushed right on through the poor kid and likely killed him. It's not all that far behind a light bullet .357 Magnum load! Most likely, the brother had been issued (or perhaps had 'liberated' from someone if he was a criminal) a Revolver Systemy Nagana obr 1895 goda, which is known by most today as a Nagant revolver, Model of 1895. The bullet was the same nominal diameter, but was lubricated lead versus the jacketed bullet the Tokarev used and launched at a much lower velocity, like half as much velocity, if even. It'd be about like a .32 Smith and Wesson revolver cartridge in performance, and those are just about lost to the ages because they were considered ineffective. I could see where a toddler could survive an impact from a slow, small caliber bullet that didn't hit anything critical. Naturally, this bullet was solid and non-expanding.

Bullets in flight are sterile. Part of it may be heat, which is significant, but of only very short duration. The bigger factor is that bullets are slighly larger than the bore of the firearm they're discharged from so their surface is engaged by the rifling. Anything on the outside of the bullet is quite often going to be violently 'wiped off' as it passes through the barrel, and also possibly spun off of the bullet as the gyroscopic spin that rifling imparts to the projectile for stabilization generates considerable centrifugal force. Some of the old greased bullets from extremely low performance loads probably carried plenty of germs, but that's a different story. A great example is the old .41 rimfire derringer cartridge of the 'old west' era. The greased bullet hung onto all kinds of dust, dirt, and lint, probably didn't exceed 500 feet per second (if it ever got that fast!) and hardly spun upon leaving the very short derringer barrel. In fact, fired at a tree 20' away, the bullet would usually bounce back and land at the firer's feet. Most any other type of gun is different. The source of infection is usually from clothing fibers pushed into the wound. This kid was struck beneath the nose, so no textile fibers and any dirt or germs they may have been harboring would have entered his head.

The irony of the victim's career as a ballistic missile engineer, for those who haven't figured it out, is that a bullet is, itself, a ballistic missile! Ballistic simply means that once launched, the laws of physics govern where the projectile goes. You can aim them, but that's about it. Guns are ballistic, and so are bottle rockets. ICBM's were aimed such that they'd reach the edge of space and fall back to earth in an expected location. Most modern rockets are guided, versus ballistic, meaning electronics are used to steer them after they've been launched. This could be using video camera and radio control, lasers, infrared heat-seeking systems, GPS, etc. They're a little more forgiving that ballistic missiles, which required some very involved mathematics to aim and lots of calculus!

The kid obviously survived it, but I doubt he would have said, "Wheee! That was fun! Could we do that again?". I do wonder just how he got along with his brother in the years that followed...

I agree with most of what you say except this:

The Soviet Union had considerable armed forces, but outside of the military, the nation was never awash with guns. This would be for economic reasons as much as political...firearms are expensive and historically Russia as a whole has been just a step above broke.

This is completely false. My wife is Russian as are (obviously) all of my inlaws, including my father-in-law who spent quite a bit of time in the Soviet Armed forces. Firearms of all types are cheap and easy to get. This was true then as it (more so) is now. During Soviet times, despite strict civilian gun control, one need only seek out the local underground crime community, and guns were flowing everywhere. It just took money and patience. Today, walk through any out door market (which I've done many times) and gun parts are easy to come by. But even today, any type of sidearm can be gotten for the right price.

Marc,

One testing lab recorded a fired .223 caliber bullet's temperature at 267 degrees F. At that temperature its unlikely the bullet's surface would introduce a platform for infection. So the doctor is correct in that regard.

One testing lab recorded a fired .223 caliber bullet's temperature at 267 degrees F. At that temperature its unlikely the bullet's surface would introduce a platform for infection. So the doctor is correct in that regard.

The 223 is a moden 1960's ammunition and was not around when this person was shot, It is small caliber high velocity, If the child was shot with a 223 it would have entered and tumbled as it was designed then exited and inflicted much damage to this young child, More than likely this child was shot with a small caliber sub sonic(slow moving round) with low mass as was customary for many weapons in the 1920's -1930's, It is also possible that the weapon was not a cartridge weapon but an air powered weapon, The platform for infection is what ever the bullet brings in with it as it enters the body as it passes thru clothing and skin tissue both of which have bacteria and germs and would not be affected by the bullets heat,

Chuckzul,

I see exactly where it is you're coming from, but we're not on the same page.

I used the term 'awash' to describe how the nation wasn't. 'Awash' meaning saturation. Seriously, much of the US isn't even 'awash' in guns at this late date. They're out there, you can get them, but they're not something you can't help but encounter or have to try to avoid when you leave the house. Some parts of the US are known to be like this, most aren't. If you want 'awash' with guns, check out the middle east and parts of Africa the past few years!

You are most correct about guns existing in the underground crime community and that they could be had with money and patience. It does also take some connections, though. If they know you a bit and like you, you can get what you want. I'm sure they view outsiders with a jaundiced eye and if no one knows you, you probably won't get too far.

Your father-in-law served during or after WWII, correct?

The reason I ask that is because time is a critical element here. Handguns have always been a 'second tier' firearm. Here in the US, the production of rifles and shotguns completely dwarfed the manufacture of handguns for a very long time. Rifles and shotguns actually had a valid use to the working man, so that's what you spent your money on. Quite often, because of the expense, one rifle or shotgun was purchased by a person during their lifetime and it was handed down to a son after that. They were a considerable investment. Handguns weren't much cheaper, and again was often the only gun a person would own. If you bought one, you probably weren't a subsistence farmer or a laborer but a lawman, a military officer, or an outlaw. Automobiles were in wide circulation here in the US before handguns were. They'd been available, they were out there, but they were a pricey luxury for most at a time when the economy made most of us less than abundantly successful. I'd tell you everyone knew of someone who owned one, but nothing at all like it is today. WWI significantly spurred gun sales as veterans developed an interest and gained the means to eventually afford them, and this surge in ownership by private citizens would have started in the mid-1920's and ran through roughly WWII when a new generation of veterans really boosted demand in the late 40's and beyond. Having not a gun but rather a collection, including less than truly practical handguns, became common. So did run-of-the mill lowlife having guns on a regular basis and not just the career criminals. The difference is that production of handguns was booming, the real prices of handguns consequently dropped as production was boosted to satisfy overall demand, and a handgun wasn't necessarily the prized possession it once had been for most people.

To recap, for there to be a large 'fringe' area of illicit product that has escaped lawful ownership or regulation, you need a lot of product in the first place. If the numbers just aren't there, there isn't going to be much available to be siphoned off. It was the mid-20th century before enough handguns had been produced and in circulation for them to be considered 'plentiful'. In early 30's USSR, there wouldn't have been too many...yet. Things have changed considerably since then, worldwide.

Thank you for your insight, I do appreciate hearing from you.

Take care.

Jon and Sirlaughalot: Don't worry that pain in your wife's ass will most likely subside as the years go by. You see the pain they feel now will be the very same as in years to come but when you compare it to the size of their ever-growing asses, it will seem much less by comparison. And, if you want their breasts to grow, tell them to rub each one with toilet paper. See what it did to their asses?

As that Redneck Comedian says "That @!$%#'s funny, I don't care who you are." Unless maybe you are one of those big assed women you are writing of.

a ...dead lead head...who drove a sled...had a dog that needed fed...had a uncle named jed...time for me to go to bed...i'm embarrassed by this rhyme and my face is sort'a red...after that being said...

Actually plain bob, I've heard worse.

Nashville awaits plain bob. Keep up the good work, and happy new year!

plain bob,

please send those lyrics to Trace Adkins....

Anyone but Taylor Swift!

Yes, the guy is lucky...no, the NRA will not use this for propaganda purposes...sarcasm noted...and it really was very sad about the child...on the positive side, you are alive, not because you are lucky, but because most people who own guns do not miss-use them. So, now you poke a tiger with a stick with your comments and you know you will still be safe...don't you...because most gun owners abide by the law, they store and use them appropriately.

About the article, the body is truly amazing. I suppose there was some "luck" involved, but I also believe that some circumstances just cannot be explained and are left to the realm of providence.

No, the NRA would say "Parents, don't let your kids play with loaded guns".

In order to kill, a certain event needs to take place. There's a little lever at the base of the gun called a trigger. (You know - that little curved piece of metal that's usually somewhere near the grip of the weapon.) This lever needs to be pressed by an outside force in order for the bullet to come out of the gun.

Hence, guns DO NOT kill people - it's the psychotic dead-headed a**hole behind the gun you need to worry about. The gun is perfectly innocent. And here's a couple lessons from Gun Safety 101 - Keep your finger off the trigger until you intend to fire, and do not point the gun at anything you don't intend to destroy! And for Christ sake, KEEP YOUR FREAKING GUNS LOCKED UP AND OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN!!

Sarcasticus1, you are an incredibly arrogant individual ! When you say, "on the positive side, you are alive, not because you are lucky, but because most people who own guns do not miss-use them," you are avowing that gun owners have the power to kill and it is just their good nature that allows others to live. I would guess that you are a gun owner, Sarcasticus1, and that your attitude is what makes you and others like you very, very dangerous people.

Sarcasticus1, you are an incredibly arrogant individual ! When you say, "on the positive side, you are alive, not because you are lucky, but because most people who own guns do not miss-use them,"...you are avowing that gun owners have the power to kill and it is just their good nature that allows others to live.

It is you who are the arrogant fool...The point was that most gun owners are law abiding individuals who own firearms for legal purposes as opposed to criminals who obtain and use firearms for unlawful purposes, That same individual who would rob and shoot you would just as soon stab you if he did not have a firearm.

and that your attitude is what makes you and others like you very, very dangerous people.

It is you who and people like you who espouse strict gun controls where only the government is allowed to possess guns that are the danger, You would eliminate the most basic right of self protection, Communists governments would love you.

A loaded gun can sit for a 1000 years and not go off while many parked running automobiles have been know to jump into gear.

Now if this 3 year old would have been accidently run over with a car by his brother I think this outcome may be a little different.

everything made by man can kill even an infant if it falls on you from high enuf, any little/medium/big/huge item can be lethal irregardless of what its made of, no matter how soft and too much of anything can kill you as well.

They only look at the fact that guns are designed specifically to be used as a weapon. Everything else you mentioned has multiple purposes. Even poison, in small doses will not actually kill someone, it will make them very sick, but not always dead.

Heck, when I buy things for my house I don't just look at their aesthetic appeal, I test them for their heaviness and any sharp corners in case someone breaks in to my house. I can use just about everything in my house as a weapon if need be.

Yes, Jake-3782984, it is your attitude and obsession with being able to kill people that is really scary. I don't think that guns make people obsess about killing, but people who have a thing about being able to kill, maime, injure and hurt are likely to be gun owners. You guys are really scary. And you think that saying, "guns don't kill people . . . ," etc., makes it all okay.

actually, I own several guns that were not purchased as weapons. I purchased them for target shooting. Some firearms are completely useless for self defense, military use, or hunting. I can spend $4000 on a 'free rifle,' and be content with my purchase, because it will shoot the center out of an aspirin (or piece of paper) consistently, which is precisely what it was designed for. meanwhile, back to the discussion - a guy has lived for 80 years with a projectile from a firearm in his brain, acquired when he was a child -

don't be afraid of the legal gun owners, from my past research i can think of worse ways to die. for example an assassin can take a mercury thermostat and break it inside of a tea pot than sneak into your home and put onto a burner on med-hi heat releasing mercury gas with obvious results or can take radiator fluid and pour it into your juice/koolaid etc. inside of your fridge with same results. personally i would rather be shot or cut to pieces with knives or swords than have these done to me as they are said to be some of the most painful and slow ways to die next to being eaten alive by lions or piranha or cancer. guns may be faster but they arent all that scary compared to whats really out there. the above poster isnt obsessed with killing he was making a point, if someone really wants death dealt they will have it, as for me i prefer to be left alone when out and truly value peace and quiet with some outdoor sports mixed in(mostly fishing and hunting)

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if he simply forgot about it for long periods of time. Do you have any fillings, for example? When was the last time you thought about them? I can't remember, myself. Of course I thought about mine just now, but I'll forget about them again, soon enough.

Odds are also quite good that since this happened to him at age three, he may remember the incident itself only very vaguely, if at all. What he knows of it may be more what he was told about it later than his own memories.

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Dude...you need to move to a safer neighborhood.

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Dude, gettin' shot don't bother me none, neither. C'mon over and let's shoot each othern a few times!

Shot twice, bullets still in you, I think it shows. Gun owner, permit to carry. You need help . . . please find a good mental health professional, the sooner the better.

so lead is now a magnetic substance? Only in your world, skippy...

if it's lead, the MRI wouldn't affect it. MRI's do affect ferrous metals. I'd had a rifle malfunction on a military training range many years ago, and some time later, when I needed an MRI, they had to do an x-ray first to look for any metal fragments in my eyes, so the MRI would not cause blindness. had there been fragments, there would have been no MRI. I'd spent the afternoon in the hospital after the gun ruptured (really bad ammo from the factory), but no permanent damage. Remember, for the military - both your gun and your ammo are made by the lowest bidder. and they are still higher quality overall than most automobiles out there.