Hey Friends!

Firstly, let me preface that this week’s post is meant to be light humored and comical. I know guns and their control are a hot topic right now, but that doesn’t mean we can’t defuse it with a funny story…a story about a different kind of gun control.

Our story comes from Indiana – not unlike our Mascot! A Porter County Public Library employee at the Valparaiso branch was sorting through newly donated books when then opened up a book and found a GUN. Apparently, “gun control” around there means “don’t leave your GUN in your BOOK“.

The book, “Outerbridge Reach,” was hollowed out and contained a historic-looking handgun, according to Valparaiso police. “Somebody just opened it up and said, ‘Oh my,’ ” said Assistant Library Director Phyllis Nelson.

I’d have personally said, “Whoa, cool!” or something of the like.

The weapon was described by police as a gold, wooden handle, A.S.M. brand, .31-caliber, single shot, black powder gun.

Seriously, who leaves a gun in their book?

Nelson said she contacted police and told them the book had been donated to the library. Thousands of books are donated each month, she said, and records are not kept, so there is no way of knowing who dropped off the book or when, she said.

According to the article, “Police determined the gun had not been stolen and it is being held as evidence“…evidence for what? Having an awesome book? Maaaybe endangerment? Just being a forgetful nincompoop?

BUT WAIT! Here comes my favorite part:

“Nelson said this is not the first time a gun was found in a book donated to the library. There was another incident sometime before she came on staff 12 years ago.”

…WHAT. Are you serious? How many guns come through this library? I wonder if it’s a famous pistol. For those interested, you can read the full article here.

DON’T FORGET! Next week is National Library Week. Hope you all get your reading on!

Stay Brash and don’t leave your guns in your books,

Justin Brasher, Brash Librarian