Johnny Lee Kellom

In a gun accident in Rochelle, Georgia, a four-year old girl was shot and killed. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation found that “the child was shot while she and her 3-year-old brother were playing with a gun.” The GBI found that the gun was unsecured. The girl’s father, Johnny Lee Kellom, was arrested after the …

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2020
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).

Shattered – The Gun Accident Journal

Tag: Johnny Lee Kellom

TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020