What kind of a$$hole gives a 5 year old a rifle?
Is there really more than one kind of ass?
I feel sadness for the poor brother who shot his sister. He will likely be messed up his entire life.
I do feel for parents...but they showed a remarkable amount of careless disregard for safety.
First, if you are going to teach your children how to shoot a rifle you need to buy a child size weapon....shorter stock, lighter components and usually a single shot.
Second, the weapon needs to be secured safely. Evidently these people thought they did with a trigger lock safety but left a cartridge in the weapon. A mistake with tragic consequences.....
I taught all four of my children to shoot beginning at 5 years old, always under extremely close supervision and the weapons (when not being transported or used) are locked in a gun safe.
Gun safety and weapons training should begin at an early age.
These parents (from other reports) were good parents,loved their children and made a tragic mistake.