Jeremiah Smith

Two young people, a ten-year old boy and an 18-year old girl, died in gun accidents today. The ten year-old, Charlie Patton, of Milledgeville, Georgia, died of a pellet gun wound after being accidentally shot by 17-year old Jamarius Walls, a friend of his family,. “All the evidence and witness statements we have from the …

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SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022

A three-year old Jacksonville, Florida boy found a loaded and unsecured gun in the bedroom of his home today. He shot himself in the head and died.

Alexander Sibley, a 36-year old man, was later arrested and charged with illegal gun possession based on a prior felony conviction. A neighbor told a reporter, “I do think the individual who had the gun out, in the sight of that child, I do think he should pay the consequences for what has happened."

According to a summary contained in the news report, “Florida law requires firearms that could potentially be accessed by a minor to be kept in a locked box, a secure location, or secured with a trigger lock.” Whether relying on the summary or on the text of the law, the definition of a “secure location” creates some ambiguity, because it is unclear what locations a “reasonable person” would consider secure. [According to the report, a Jacksonville police lieutenant, “encouraged community members to secure their firearms in a safe place and practice proper gun safety,” a standard that is even less protective of children.] Failure to comply with Florida’s safe storage law is a misdemeanor.

Finally, no one questioned why we allow gun manufacturers to design guns that a three-year old can fire.

Source:

Mindy Wadley, “Jacksonville Man C harged in Connection with Toddler's Accidental Shooting Death,” First Coast News (April 5, 2022).

Shattered – The Gun Accident Journal

Tag: Jeremiah Smith

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022