LENEXA, KS (KCTV) -
A man with a legal concealed-carry permit accidentally shot his wife at a steakhouse while he was under the influence, police said.
Lenexa police said the man feels awful about what happened and it was an accident.
"He had a concealed permit and he was carrying it legally. However, it was not in a holster, it was in his front pants pocket. We recommend you have it in a holster," said Master Officer Dan Friesen with the Lenexa Police Department.
In Kansas, customers can carry a concealed weapon inside a restaurant where alcohol is served. But after the incident last week, the owners of Longbranch Steakhouse on Marshall Drive, near 87th Street, are reconsidering what they want to do about concealed weapons.
Owners of the restaurant did not want to speak on camera, but said they have had discussions about placing a warning sign on the front door.
The shooting happened about 8:20 p.m. Jan. 2. A husband and wife were eating at the restaurant when he reached into his front pocket and accidentally fired a small caliber handgun. The bullet struck his 64-year-old wife in the leg above her knee.
Lenexa police said her injuries are not life-threatening and the couple agreed that it was an accident. The offense is listed on the police report as carrying a concealed weapon while under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
The report did not say whether the man was under the influence of alcohol or something else.
The offense can be considered a Class A misdemeanor under section 7c12 of the Kansas Conceal Carry statues.
"If you are under the influence, it is illegal to carry the weapon, even if you do have the permit. That's one of the caveats," Friesen said.
KCTV5 attempted to contact the couple, but calls were not returned and no one answered the door. The case could be referred to the attorney general's office and the man could lose his permit.
The owners of Longbranch said in the two years under the new ownership, they've never had any shooting incidents.
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