By Anthony Colarassi
The Orlando Sentinel
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — A veteran Lake County firefighter is being disciplined with an unpaid suspension after an AK-47 firearm he had left in his vehicle late last month accidentally discharged, damaging his car and another vehicle.
Lt. Chuck Blinco will be suspended for three days without pay, which is the equivalent of nine days because of firefighters’ extended shifts, said Lake County Director of Public Safety Gary Kaiser.
“I take it very seriously, and it will not be tolerated,” Kaiser said Friday.
Blinco had left the firearm in his vehicle’s trunk and was getting off duty late last month when the firearm accidentally went off, damaging his vehicle and another employee’s vehicle.
The incident occurred outside a county fire station in Yalaha.
“The weapon didn’t leave the trunk of the vehicle,” Kaiser said.
It was later determined that the safety lock on the weapon’s trigger assembly was faulty, Kaiser said.
Blinco immediately reported the incident to Kaiser on July 30 and an internal investigation was started.
“The issue really was bringing a weapon onto county property,” Kaiser said.
It was a violation to bring the weapon onto county property without a concealed-weapon permit, he said.
Aside from the suspension, Kaiser required Blinco to take a firearm-safety course.
Blinco has been with the county for 15 years and has had a solid record of service.
“He has been an outstanding lieutenant,” Kaiser said.
Copyright 2009 Sentinel Communications Co.