Lincoln Mack, a 4-year old boy in Pemberton Township, New Jersey, accidentally shot and killed himself today after finding a loaded handgun in his home.  His parents and two siblings were in the home at the time. 

Lincoln’s preschool teachers described him as a “sweet and fun little boy with a smile that lit up the room.”  Lincoln’s father, Andrew Mack is a petty officer at the local naval base.  His Facebook page, according to reports, show Mr. Mack with various guns and memes in support of gun ownership. Andrew Mack was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child and a disorderly person’s firearms offense for allowing a minor to gain access to a firearm.

The County prosecutor said, “I urge everyone who owns a gun to go — right now — and make sure it is secure and not accessible to any children in their home.” The local Sheriff’s department free gun locks to any citizens of the county.

Source:

David Levinsky, “‘Unspeakable Tragedy’: Pemberton Boy’s Shooting ‘Entirely Preventable,’ Prosecutor Says,” Burlington County Times (February 8, 2020).

George Woolston, “Father Charged in Death of Son, 4, Who Shot Himself in Pemberton,” Burlington County Times (February 19, 2020).