I’ve seen stories of people doing some really stupid shit with guns, but this has to take the cake:
Authorities say a 12-year-old Colorado boy accidentally shot himself in the leg while playing with a loaded pistol his parents had hidden behind the family Christmas tree.
I almost have to wonder what made them think to hide the gun under the tree. Did they think Santa might have to cap Rudolph? Colt instead of Cookies? Do they really hate their kids?
There no gun that can be made safe enough for these people. If you make something idiot proof, nature will make a better idiot. These parents are the better idiots.
And, of course, the NYT eagerly picked up the story.
Dumb, yes. So what?
Our answer is to blame people for being idiots. Their answer is mandated “safe storage” laws.
This sounds harsh, but I for one am not all that opposed to stupid people eliminating themselves from the gene pool. When “progressive” is saving all the stupid people from themselves, a progressive society will eventually be its own ruination.
Also … at 12 years old he should have damned well known how to handle guns … and should have scolded his father or mother for keeping a loaded gun in the house.
This story clearly shows why teaching children about firearms is so important. My five year old son would know exactly what to do if he found a gun under the Christmas tree.
1. Don’t touch it.
2. Leave the room.
3. Tell a responsible adult.
This kid needed Eddie Eagle badly.
Anytime you hear of something that’s supposed to be foolproof, it just hasn’t been tested by the correct fool.
I saw this story today, about a 3-year-old who accidentally shot herself. http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=11687852
I don’t believe “Shelli” should be allowed to have small children either since I’m not sure she knows what an accident is.
I read this story this morning too. It sure proves that sloppy gun storage is dangerous. But what you gotta wonder is how many gun owners are that foolish. Among the millions who are not that passionate as those who read and write blogs, I’d guess there are plenty.
About the Eddie Eagle program, wasn’t that proven to not work against the natural curiosity of young kids? I’ve read that. Do you think it was just anti-gun propaganda?
The idea that the profound lessons one must learn at home, very early, can be made up for by a school program is erroneous.
Frankly, I feel it takes a combination. But responsible parenting is far more substantial than responsible public education.
When I was 5 or 10 years old, and if I would have found a gun in the house (anywhere), I would have picked it up, checked to see if it was loaded, and unloaded it if it had been. Then I would have immediately gone to Dad and asked (with great surprise) why there was a loaded gun in the house. But it was Grandpa who taught me about guns and the safe and responsible use of them. Dad just reinforced what Grandpa taught me.
You have to remember that my Grandfather and parents were, at that time, my heros. I would have done anything they said, and believed anything they said.
The fundamental importance of parenting cannot be underestimated. It literally is the most important thing you do (if you have children).
Blogged about this the other day myself. The parents were stupid for putting a loaded gun behind the tree AND they’re stupid for not teaching their child responsible gun handling. The story I read mentioned the father had other guns locked in a safe. I just don’t get leaving one out for an untrained child to handle.
As to the Eddie Eagle program, things like that only work when children are well aware of the consequences. I was raised by my grandfather. I knew exactly what would happen if I mishandled or ‘played with’ a gun. My wrong actions had painful consequences, and my good behavior was rewarded. At 12 I kept a Ruger 10/22 in my bedroom. I kept it locked and the ammo stored in a different area.
But, hey, maybe I was just smarter than the average kid.
When I was a kid, my father stored guns in closet that was locked with a deadbolt. Except, I knew where he kept the key, and even if I didn’t know where it was, there was an alternate access point.
This might have caused problems, except I’d been trained in safe gun handling skills since I was 6. Maybe earlier.
If this kid had been similarly trained, this wouldn’t have happened. Hell, by the time I was his age I had a hunting license and was trusted with a .308 Winchester rifle to hunt deer. By that time, my father didn’t even bother to hide the key to the gun cabinet because he knew I could be trusted with access.
“Sloppy storage” wasn’t the problem. Parents who failed to teach their kid about firearm safety was.
Well, I suppose that many SH readers are “exceptional” in the early exposure they received to arms …
I had a Benjamin pellet rifle when I was five.
I had a Remington .22 when I was eight.
I had a Mossberg .410 when I was ten.
I had a Winchester 12ga when I was thirteen.
And … my parents allowed me to have my first handgun, a .22 revolver, when I was fourteen.
I still have all those guns, all but one of them given to me by my Grandfather. The Winchester 1300 I bought with my own cash, on the day I turned 13. My Mother supposedly filled out the 4473 … but she doesn’t remember. I suppose that was a “straw purchase”, even all those years ago.
But I didn’t get my first AR or AK until I was in my thirties. That was my choice (or lack of making the choice).
You can’t make something idiot proof. The best you can hope for is “idiot resistant”.