Some things happen in Texas that defy explanation

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Teen Blinded By Potato Gun

Gun Accidentally Fired In Teen's Face

POSTED: 9:15 p.m. CDT April 15, 2003

DALLAS -- A teenager has lost his sight after being struck in the face with

a frog shot from a so-called " potato gun. "

Berry, 17, received the injury after he looked down the

barrel of the gun's PVC pipe barrel and was hit in the face by the frog.

His mother, Berry, said he's now blind in both eyes. She hopes her

family's tragedy serves as a warning to other parents.

" Any of y'all's children could bring it home, and you'd not even know they

have it, " she said. " It could end their life or their neighbor's life or

your life. "

Potato guns are made of pipe with one end sealed. A potato is wedged into

the open end and a flammable liquid put into a sealed chamber is ignited,

launching the object.

Denton County Sheriff's Department spokesman Patton said the accident

happened Sunday when Berry joined a crowed of teenagers watching the

gun be fired. Patton said when it misfired, Berry looked down the

barrel to see what was wrong when the gun went off.

Investigators said the teenager who owns the gun purchased it off the

Internet. Potato guns are not illegal in Texas, so prosecutors will not file

charges in the incident