Looks like dad is a real pansy.
I wouldn't call him a pansy. His whole family has been put through hell. He's blaming himself for this, although he was doing the right thing by teaching his kids about firearms. Now look where it's got him.
These parents were not happy that their son decided to post pictures of himself and his weapons on the internet when they found out about it. I don't think they are bad parents. The kid may be a screwed up individual, or maybe he just couldn't resist being a braggart about his knowledge and access to firearms.
I used to play cops and robbers when I was a kid. It was just a fantasy. A game. Had it been more then that, I'd now be either a cop or a robber, yet I am neither. Role playing is a natural part of growing up.
I've recently been teaching my own son how to use firearms. He has his fantasies, but we talk about that and I explain to him in no uncertain terms that this is NOT A GAME.
I explained to him again, just this evening in fact because this story hits home with me, that there are only a few places where weapons are appropriate. War. Hunting. Self defense. Target practice.
It's not a game. It's serious business. Kids will brag, but that has no place when it comes to firearms. Explain it that way to them and they'll get it.
This dad might have saved them all had he made that perfectly clear. Maybe he did, maybe he didn't. I don't know.
But he should have. And if he has a good son, he would have listened to that.
This judge on the other hand, thinks he is God, because he really had to reach for this decision.
"He put his finger on the trigger in that picture" (I'm paraphrasing).
Now where was that in the law?