The kid should have left the gun alone and told someone, an adult, about it.
That's what is, or should be, drilled into kids from an early age. We've all seen the PSAs regarding this issue. Just because the kid is a Boy Scout means nothing. He should have not picked up the gun. If there is any doubt, treat the gun as if it is real and as if it is always loaded.
Agreed. The Eddie Eagle basic message is: "Stop. Don't touch! Leave the area. Tell an Adult."
Children should use firearms, but only with proper adult supervision.
Absolutely. On a side note, my father-in-law, a retired police officer, took my 12 year old daughter to the shooting range. She got to fire a .22 rifle and he showed her how to fire a few rounds with a .38 revolver.
She came home glowing and proudly showed me all of her paper targets. What grouping! The kid's a natural! And she absolutely loves it. My 16 year old son, however, couldn't hit a bull in the butt with a bass fiddle. Oh well. Ya can't have it all I suppose.