There are already plenty of reasons not to visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, from its terrible tourist traps to its soaring violent crime rate. On Thursday, USA Today pointed out one more reason to stay away: Your kids might accidentally shoot someone. Last week, according to a police report, a Target employee discovered a loaded 9-mm handgun sitting on top of a superhero toy box.
The employee told officers he had seen a man repeatedly walking around that section of the store, but authorities said they didn’t know if that man had put the gun among the toys.
Authorities said the 9-mm handgun had not been reported stolen and had eight bullets inside. Officers said they would review security camera footage to try to determine who left the gun in the store.
The discovery comes in the midst of a heated debate about open carry in America. Gun supporters across the country are engaged in a campaign to bring their weapons into private stores and restaurants, to the consternation of myriad businesses and, surprisingly, the NRA. Target was recently hit with an open carry demonstration, where gun supporters noted that the store has no official policy against firearms. After last week’s incident, it might want to reconsider.
