ISLE OF WIGHT
A 30-year-old Civil War re-enactor pleaded guilty Wednesday to a misdemeanor charge of reckless handling of a firearm in regard to a shooting in September while filming a battle scene.
Joshua Silva of Norfolk must complete a gun safety course and pay $1,200 in restitution before his scheduled return to court Sept. 16. If he completes those requirements, the charges will be dismissed, Commonwealth's Attorney Wayne Farmer said.
Silva was a walk-on in the Civil War documentary "Overland Campaign Web Series Project." He carried a replica of a 19th-century .45-caliber pistol with live ammunition. When he fired the gun, the bullet struck Thomas R. Lord Sr. of Suffolk. Lord was flown from Heritage Park on Courthouse Highway to a Norfolk hospital.
Lord was portraying a Union soldier; Silva was on the side of the South. The shooting happened during one of the scenes that involved a volley of shots between the two armies.
Farmer said officials believe Silva did not know the gun was loaded.
"The victim is satisfied with the agreement," Farmer said. "Mr. Silva broke a cardinal rule of re-enacting - never, ever use live fire."
Most re-enactments include a weapons check as part of the routine, Farmer said, but somehow that part of the routine must have slipped by in this incident.
"This could have been much, much worse."
Lord, 73, was shot in the shoulder, near the collar bone, Farmer said. He has recovered and still takes part in re-enactments.
Linda McNatt, (757) 222-5561, linda.mcnatt@pilotonline.com
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Brandon Lee was killed in
Brandon Lee was killed in such a manner. The gun he was killed with while filming a movie was not even loaded. It had fragments of a dummy round in the barrel and that is what killed him. The first rule is always treat a firearm as if it is loaded no matter what.
stuff happens
Life isn't perfect. Sounds like these two have worked out an agreement like men and it's over. Probably because one is 70+ from the men were men generation. If he were one of the metro-sexuals of today, he'd be running for the lawyers office. When are in and around ANYTHING potentially dangerous especially for recreational purposes, it's user beware. In the end its a story of a breakdown in pre-event procedures and I'm sure this will only make them stronger. The light side this gent can now procalim to be one of the few if not th eonly living soul to have a gunshot wound from a civil war era weapon.
"men were men generation"??????
I don't recall that in my History classes could you please explain? Metrosexuals of today? Have mercy!
Personally I never heard of the lighter side of getting shot.
The South - 1, The North - 0
If the South had shooters like this back in the day, the outcome would have been a bit different.
broketaxpayer
My Dad was a hunter and fisherman, spouse is a golfer and motorcyle enthusiast. Different interests are wonderful opportunities to enlighten and share experiences with others and necessary in all relationships, IMO. The difference with golf and hunting outings is they are usually day or weekend events, not two week adventures (not to mention the time and energy spent preparing for these reenacting events.) And children can learn valuable lessons in life with fishing, hunting, golf (I'd leave out the drinking and trysts) but war re-enacting is one of the human tragedies I would just as soon not glorify.
Room for Family
I must say the time my son and I spent camping during our Civil War living history weekends were great. Great memories and a little history learned too. No war glorification going on, just a step back in time learing how blessed we are to be living in this day and age.
Deja Vu
"The victim is satisfied with the agreement." Reminds me of Dick Cheney and his hunting buddy. Next time, look inside your gun before going to the reenactment site, and be glad you didn't get sued.
mustang.freddie
Your comment about re-enacting the Civil War not being as kooky as someone sitting behind a computer and judging people they do not know is very funny and "write" on (just a silly pun), but, unfortunately not totally accurate. I was with my sister at Wmsburg when we encountered the Civil War 11, and while we were amazed at the detail, energy and challenging logistics of making this all happen, we were still left shaking our heads wondering why so many men choose to vacation in this manner. We spent considerable time conversing with many of the men in their woolen attire sweating in the hot, humid Va. Summer heat and could only conclude they are a dedicated bunch and that perhaps male bonding is their thing. It's all okay, I suppose, but, I still conclude it's a tad kooky. I also wonder about their families as most we met were married with children. Remember, this is their two week vacation.
It's not kooky to leave your
It's not kooky to leave your wife and kids to go:
1. fishing
2. hunting
3. golfing
4. drinking with the boys
5. seeing your mistress in Argentina
You get my drift.
Santa
Thank you for succintly stating my feelings on war reenacting. War has to be the ugliest part of humanity and it seems insane for people to want to revisit it as a sport or label it a History lesson. Please, I don't have to "see" live demonstrations of physical and emotional hell to understand it better.
It's history
“Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it.”
He is such a want to be
He is such a want to be civil war actor he really needed to do jail time. What kind of person doesn't know that his own gun is loaded?? He probably doesn't even care that he almost killed someone, and I read the past articles were he didn't even come forward that he shot the man. And then he pleads not guilty? What is that? He needs to do jail time!!!! He knew his gun was loaded!!! Hope know one lets him act again!
Amazing how many people take
Amazing how many people take such great pleasure in glamorizing the killing of people and death.
Glamorizing Death?
I've never considered myself glamorizing the cuelty of war when I participate in a living history event and I seriously doubt you'll find many reenactors that do. I do admit my unit does very little battle reenactments. Instead we tend to set up camps for visitors to walk through and talk about the life of the common Civil War infantry soldier, what camp life was like and the hardships they endured on both sides. I ALLAWYS come away from one of these weekends with even more respect for the men who sacrificed so much for causes they felt so strongly in (right or wrong). Visitors seem so appreciative of the time we dedicate to educating them in the realities of this difficult time in American history. Teachers at the schools we visit can attest that making history come alive for their students really makes a difference in their studies. Glamorizing death, hardly!
It's history!
Glamorizing? It's history!
Idea (maybe not a good one)
If everyone used real ammo at these things they would really be realistic! Just kidding, don't get all up-in arms.
Not games, History
These re-enactments are not games. This is the same as an indian pow wow, or a play from Shakspear. You see history in real life. You do not have to imagine what it was like. Could you picture Jamestown without pictures. Would you remember it better if you saw it with your own eyes.
I do think that it was a very light penalty. The movie industry does not even allow security live ammo on any set. PERIOD. His negligance could have costs someone a life. I think that he should have been banned from re-enactments.
"didn't know the gun was loaded"
How many times have we heard that comment especially when a child finds Daddy's gun and kills another child?
Didn't know the gun was loaded
Once again a comment from someone who doesn't know anything about antique weapons. A flint lock weapon is so difficult to use, I doubt if any child would be able to shoot someone with it.
I'm afraid you don't know
You don't know what you are saying and you are only making an assumption.
The phrase "didn't know the gun was loaded" is a common phrase coming from all directions when some one get "accidentally" shot, and we expecially hear it when a child finds a gun in the house and ends up killing somone.
"I didn't know the gun was loaded" is a tired and lame excuse for anyone to get shot regardless of age.