Oklahoma 3-Year-old Dead - He Found a Gun in the House

[mikeb302000]

Local news reports

A 3-year-old boy is dead after shooting himself in the head early Saturday afternoon, authorities said.

The boy was visiting a relative at a home in the 1500 block of Derby Lane, about four miles southeast of Guthrie. He found a loaded handgun in a bedroom, Logan County sheriff's Capt. Richard Stephens said.

Stephens said the call came in just after noon. He said criminal charges will not be filed.

I don't care if you divide the number of accidental shootings by all the guns in the whole world, they're still too many. I say this because they are PREVENTABLE.

The first thing that needs to change is the nonchalance with which we treat so-called gun accidents. Then we need to adopt a one-strike-you're-out policy so at least we'll cut down on the repeat offenders. And finally, we need proper gun control laws, a comprehensive system which is long overdue.

What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.
Cross posted at Mikeb302000

[BainsBane]

1. More preschool children die

From gun violence than cops die in the line of duty. TWICE as many.
Source: Up with Chris Hayes, Sat. Dec. 15.

Being a baby is a greater risk than being a cop in this country because of gun proliferation. Think on that.

[YllwFvr]

6. whats the number of infants and toddlers who die every year?

While I may not have been shot at I frequently encounter armed people and many are unhappy at being detained. One was illegally armed. Minor issue it turned out but still illegal.
One I forcibly disarmed after calling for backup.
More dangerous? Hmmm I dont know.
I know im less concerned with guns than traffic. Ive had to leap onto the hood of the car I had stopped to keep from being hit even with my cruiser half in the road. Ive nearly been hit also when I approach the car and they swerve back onto the road to run.

[BainsBane]

7. That's your problem

That you could read something like that and not be horrified indicates a profound moral failing. If you aren't Willing to take measures to protect our children from mass murder, I don't care what you think. Republicans are starting to come out for gun control. Your dissimulation is meaningless.

[YllwFvr]

8. im sorry perhaps I wasnt clear

You claimed more infants and toddlers die per year than officers. Twice as many.
Proof? You may be aware that without it your claim can be dismissed.
Not that I disbelieve you, it does sound plausible.

[im1013]

2. "...criminal charges will not be filed."

THAT is the biggest problem. Also the easiest to change.

[aandegoons]

3. Agreed

It seems so simple.

[FunkyLeprechaun]

4. Makes me mad

I don't like the car analogy in comparison to guns in terms of deaths (cars kill more people than guns, ban cars!!!! despite the fact that very few people use a car as a weapon). However, if you accidentally kill someone with your car (texting on a phone, drinking etc) you get charged with manslaughter.

I think if people have unsecured guns and if children discover the firearm and accidentally kill themselves (as in this case) the owner of that firearm should be charged with manslaughter.

People need to lock up their guns and ammo separately and if it's discovered that people aren't complying to that they should get charged. I don't care about the "self defense" excuse anymore, as it shows that having a gun for self defense doesn't work.

[tclambert]

5. The owner of that gun probably insists he's a "responsible gun owner."

Sure, they say you should keep guns unloaded and in a locked box, buy, you know, if a bad guy breaks in and you have to defend yourself, you want that gun loaded and easily accessible. So keeping it loaded, safety off, under the pillow . . . it's just common sense.