More small kids with guns
 

JACKSON, Ohio – Police say an angry 4-year-old Ohio boy grabbed a gun from a closet and shot his baby sitter.

Eighteen-year-old Nathan Beavers was hospitalized Sunday with minor wounds to his arm and side after the shotgun attack. Police say another teen was also injured.

Witnesses told police the child was angry because Beavers accidentally stepped on his foot. Beavers was watching the child at a mobile home in Jackson with several other teenagers and several other children.

Jackson County Sheriff John Shashteen says authorities are investigating. The child has not been charged.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090106/.../young_shooter

If Beavers was WATCHING the child, how did he get the shotgun?

And who on earth leaves firearms around unsecured when there are children there?

There are at least two "adults" in this story who defy the label.

I saw the clip on the news to me. Trailer trash in technicolor! Aside from the skirting peeling off the 5-wheeler, they had a broken treadmill sitting next to the trampoline in the front yard.

The sherif said that the child most likely won't be charged, but the parents will.

agreed.

I agree with that too.

Well as much as I'd like to think I watched kids like a hawk while babysitting, I am a human being, and when I had to use the bathroom I didn't bring the kids with me. One plausible situation.

Who keeps a shotgun in a closet with or without kids?

Speaking of my cousin wants to get me a shotgun since I now live alone, he said the sound of loading and cocking it would scare most people away from my door and I wouldn't have to fire it. There was a sincere suggestion of an over under He's collaborating with my step-father to get me a new handgun for graduation.

I saw a video at the public library about kids and gun safety, that was nice to see.

Right. The shotgun should be close to hand.

Yes, the sound of cocking will usually do it. Of the 2.5 million defensive uses of guns each year, well over half (I believe; I'd have to check the statistics) are without firing. But if you're not prepared to fire if needed, the gun can do more harm than good.

I like your cousin. But make sure he gets a handgun that fits you comfortably, and not something he thinks is best.