SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2023

Two Gun Accidents Today Involving Children

In Wendell, North Carolina, a woman was shot inside her home. According to the report, a “youth” accidentally fired the gun and the round passed through a wall before striking the victim. It is not clear how the child got the gun.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin police announced that a two-year-old child was shot by another child who found a loaded gun. The two-year-old was taken to the hospital, but their condition is not reported. A woman was arrested in connection with the incident and is in custody on unspecified charges.

Sources:

Kayla Morton, Rodney Overton, “Woman Shot When Youth Fires Gun Through Wall of Home Near Wendell, Wake County Deputies Say ,” cbs17.com (March 26, 2023).

“2-year-old Boy Shot by Another Child Near 26th & Hadley; Woman Arrested,” cbs58.com (March 26, 2023).

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A Brief Summary for May, 2020
The reports for May are consistent with expectations for a time when families are home together in a society that overvalues the need for guns in the home. Children unexpectedly home from school found guns, and shot themselves, their siblings or others far too often. Reports describe accidents in which at least 14 children died. Several other children were injured.

These deaths and injuries continue a yearlong trend. According to data reported by Everytown for Gun Safety, there have been at least 127 unintentional shootings by children this year alone, resulting in 43 deaths and 88 injuries.

At the same time, some of our May reports suggest circumstances in which boredom may have led to young adults too eager to show off their weapons to their friends and others. Accidents and deaths resulted.

More often, we need to ask the question: How can we make guns more safe? Certainly, one answer is to insist that manufacturers design guns that are almost impossible for a toddler to fire. Heavier trigger pulls, longer trigger distances, and effective manual safeties would be a good start. Second, guns need to be unloaded and locked up when not in use. No self-defense need justifies leaving a loaded gun lying around where children have access to it.

Shattered – The Gun Accident Journal

Two Gun Accidents Today Involving Children

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