Woman unintentionally shot during concealed weapons training class

33-year-old Crystal Smith, of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, wife of a Spartanburg County sheriff's deputy, was taking a concealed weapons permit class when she was unintentionally shot by the instructor.
Deputy Skip Smith, no relation to Crystal, was showing another student how to grip a gun when he discharged the weapon. Crystal was standing beside the student, the bullet went through her arm and into her side. She was taken to the local hospital and is listed in stable condition after undergoing surgery.
Deputy Smith is a certified Concealed Weapons Permit Course instructor. He neglected to check to see if there was a round in the chamber before handling the pistol.
Chuck Wright, sheriff of Spartanburg County, made news last October when he urged women to get a gun and a concealed weapons permit to protect themselves. In addition to urging women to carry concealed weapons he also stated, "Gun control is when you can get your barrel back on the target quick. That's gun control."
Wright says he stands by his comment about concealed weapons, despite this recent incident. A written statement from the sheriff's office stated, "This was a very unfortunate accident that has taken an emotional toll on everyone present. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Smith, her family, friends and all those present at today's class."