Children and Guns: Under the Same Roof

Hamilton : OH : USA | Aug 03, 2009 at 7:02 PM PDT

By GretchenWPerry

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Over the years we have heard of tragedies where children have shot themselves or other children while playing with a gun. These are truly tragedies that can be prevented. Out of curiosity I wanted to know if self-inflicted gunshot wounds are one of the leading causes of death in children in America. I found that death by self-inflicted gunshot wounds or gunshot wounds by other children is NOT in the top ten causes of death in children in the U.S.

With this said a 5-year-old boy in my own town of Hamilton, Ohio shot himself with his father’s gun on July 18th, 2009 and subsequently passed. On July 21st, his father turned himself into the police on charges of negligent homicide. Which means his father did not act to prevent the shooting death of his son, a first degree misdemeanor.

Is this fair? The newspaper article states that loaded guns should be locked away from curious children. I think the key term is "curious." In this case the father had a concealed carry license and had the gun loaded in an apartment closet. Let me ask this. What good is an unloaded gun locked away when an intruder breaks into your house and has invaded your home and threatened you and your family in a matter of seconds? The gun would probably not be helpful and therefore useless to have in the first place.

What is the solution for guns and children to share a home peacefully and without tragedy? Take away the curiosity and educate your children on guns. It has worked for me and my husband’s family.

As a child growing up my grandfather was the first Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Rex D. Davis. As a democrat, he strongly supported the right to bear arms.

But my curiosity of guns was relieved when I was about 5 years of age when my father took me out to shoot a rifle. The power amazed me. Even at 5 I knew a gun was not a toy and should be handled with respect. My father explained that guns should be handled with respect, should be taken care of and should never be brandished unless it is going to be used.

My husband and I are gun owners and my step-daughter received her first rifle when she was born as did all of the grandchildren. They were all taught to handle guns with respect.

It is up to a court of law to determine if this father should be convicted of negligent homicide. I would venture to guess, that he is already facing a life sentence of guilt and pain of losing his son.

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Children and Guns

GretchenWPerry is based in Fairfield, Ohio, United States of America, and is a Stringer for Allvoices.

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Post a Comment Comments: 6

Posted By

mona37 | almost 4 years ago

well putting the father behind the bars is a lesson to the many others out there to learn to keep their children and their weapons apart as adults they bear the responsibilty of doing so as not every kids curiosity dies when thought about guns but for some they want it even more! so nothing is safer then keeping the weapons away and your children safe away from them!

Posted By

GretchenWPerry | almost 4 years ago

Coincidentally in TODAYS'S local Hamilton Journal, on the front page, that takes my above stance on the curiosity of children and guns in the household. The reporter spoke with a local police Sgt. who educates his children on guns. I believe The Journal's staff writer used the term "mystique."
At least someone shares my opinion.

Posted By

aveguevara | almost 4 years ago

This man is not a criminal, simply displaying a level of ignorance and stupidity that was so complete, that it had to take the life of his son for him to finally 'get it'

I also was raised with guns, my father a concert violinist who respected the power of them and taught that to us also, was not a gun brandishing ignorant. He taught me to play violin and shoot a gun.

My former brother in law, a retired NYC policeman says a child's thumb is the strongest finger and the only one that can pull that trigger. When one's thumb is on the trigger, the gun can only be aimed in the direction of the one holding it. Like teaching a baby "HOT", one must let the child see the gun's big loud scary BANG, then lock it up.
CAUTION: make sure you and your child ALWAYS wear ear protection to prevent permanent damage.

All gun owners should be REQUIRED as common sense alone cannot relied upon within humanoid species, to take safety courses and if a minor child is in the home they are to learn gun safety as well. Of course sheer stupidity cannot be erradicated and their offspring are usually the ones that suffer the consequence.

Some prison time to think about it is not the answer, but no prison time would make this level of stupidity go unchecked and the lesson would go unlearned by the parent, and a precedence set that other's can get off from this same offense in the future. Firearms, like 18 wheelers, are to be taken very seriously.

PS The image with this article is disturbing, she looks drugged.

Posted By

FauziaSultana | almost 4 years ago

Guns are not toys and should be put under lock and key and under no account we left around the house.
Thanks for making parents aware of this action that will have bad consequences.

Posted By

GretchenWPerry | almost 4 years ago

Thanks to eveyone for their opinion.
I agree that the picture is horrible. I was shocked to find it added to my story. I did not add the photo.
Yes, putting someone behind bars certainly sets an example for others. However he is facing a first degree misdemeanor and will probably not see the inside of a jail cell. Unfortunate, but true. This is why other solutions should be contemplated.

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