Girl mistakes gun for Wii controller - kills herself

[Mendicate Bias]

FreeTalkLive said:

twesterm said:

 

What would be your excuse if your kid found your hidden gun and shot himself?  What would be your excuse if a kids friend found your hidden and shot somebody?  Sure, both of them aren't supposed to be snooping, but we know they do.  You could justify yourself by saying you thought you had it properly hidden but someone still came out shot which is on your concousness since you didn't do everything you could do.

 

No excuse needed.  Teach the kid about gun safety.  At 10, most kids are mature enough to be firing weapons at the range with a parent.

A parent should teach the kid.  If the parent doesn't thing the kid is understanding gun safety, they can take extra steps as they feel needed.  Maybe lock their bedroom door when they aren't home.  It is up to each parent.  There is nothing set in stone.  Maybe I parent decides that they want to wear the gun or keep it in the car when not at home.

A 10 year olds frontal lobe that controls reasoning functions in adults is not fully developed. A 10 year old under a variety of different circumstances, like his friends egging him on, could do something very stupid even if taught otherwise.

Arguments about whether gun laws should be far stricter in the United States is one thing but leaving a loaded gun where a child can get access to it is just stupid no matter your political affiliations or your own personal beliefs about what freedom constitutes. There is no excuse, don't ever leave your gun loaded and buy a safe to store it in.