I have 2 rifles and 2 shotguns in my unlocked closet...Along with the necessary ammo...Must be a real mystery how my kids grew up without all of us killing each other with these weapons...
Not to mention some stories I've read where the guns seemingly act alone to commit murder...you guys got lucky!
And if a burglar breaks into your house and steals them and injures himself or someone else with them, then you can be sued for not securing your firearms.
Same here,my father had his rifle and shotgun in a shed by our main barn.
I knew that they were not to be touched or the wrath of God would be a more pleasant alternative to what would happen to me.
Whether an accident or intentional lack of parental discipline and control is prob the cause.
I don`t know if a 6 year old has an inherent knowledge that this would be wrong.Understand most parents probably will not tell their kids at 6 years of age that they should`nt kill their brothers/sisters.They should let them know it is wrong to hurt them,usually by hitting,scratching,etc at that age.
I suspect that this is where the breakdown started,never saying "that is wrong, don`t do that again or there will be consequences".
Lack of responsibility/punishment for actions went to the extreme degree here.I can`t help but to think that allowing some of the video games out today add to this problem.My parents wouldn`t even let me watch the old King Kong movie until I was almost a teenager.
I grew up with guns. I have been shooting since I was three. My father was a police officer and taught me not only how to shoot but how to respect firearms. He never kept his guns locked up and never had to worry about my messing around with them. I have since passed this on to my own children. Teaching your children about firearms at a young age is a must.
About the article and other posts:
This current incident has nothing to do with the owners not locking up the rifle. It has to do with a 6 year old that has emotional problems. No video games, tv shows, or unlocked guns led to this shooting. A willful, emotionally disturbed boy, angry at his sister and unable to quantify his actions led to this shooting. For anyone here thinking a 6 year old is unable to understand consequences you are sorely mistaken. If this were true then almost every kid would have killed a sibling over something at one time or other in their lives unless they were an only child. Be it with a gun, bat, knife, or hatchet.
-Laz