A nine-year old Grand Rapids, Michigan boy “somehow accessed a gun” in his home and accidentally shot himself in the arm. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.  No arrests were made.

The Michigan Department of State Police publishes a pamphlet which says, in part:

• Firearm ownership carries with it a responsibility of safeguarding the welfare of others and you when handling firearms. Accident prevention is the user’s responsibility.

• It is advisable to have a serious discussion with family members concerning a firearm and stressing the danger of careless or unsafe use.

• A firearm should always be unloaded when not in use and the ammunition stored separately from the firearm. It is generally recommended that the cylinder assembly of a revolver and the barrel assembly of a semi-automatic be removed from the frame for long-term storage.

• Both the ammunition and the firearm should be stored in a safe place out of the reach of children. You may be criminally and civilly liable for any harm caused by a person less than 18 years of age who lawfully gains unsupervised access to your firearm if unlawfully stored. As such, a trigger lock, gun case or other device designed to prevent unauthorized access to a firearm is strongly recommended.

Although the pamphlet clearly suggests that firearms “should” be locked when not in use and that a gun lock or gun safe is “recommended,” Michigan has no laws requiring safe storage in the home.

Source:

Leon Hendrix, “9-year-old Hurt in Grand Rapids Accidental Shooting,” WoodTV.com (September 6, 2020).

 “Use & Storage of a Firearm in a Home Environment,” Michigan Department of State Police (January, 2001).