Accidental Toddler Shooting Rocks Rural Kentucky, Where Rifles For Kindergarteners Are Commonplace

[ProSense]

Accidental Toddler Shooting Rocks Rural Kentucky, Where Rifles For Kindergarteners Are Commonplace

DYLAN LOVAN and TRAVIS LOLLER

BURKESVILLE, Ky. (AP) — As Stephanie Sparks cleaned the kitchen, her 5-year-old son, Kristian, began playing with a rifle he was given last year. She stepped out onto the front porch, poured grease out of a frying pan for the dogs and “heard the gun go off,” a Kentucky coroner said.

Authorities said the boy had fatally shot his 2-year-old sister, Caroline, in the chest.

In rural southern Kentucky, far removed from the national debate over gun control, where some children get their first guns even before they start first grade, the accident stunned the community.

Kristian’s rifle was kept in a corner of the mobile home, and the family didn’t realize a bullet had been left in it, Cumberland County Coroner Gary White said.

- more -

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/accidental-toddler-shooting-rocks-rural-kentucky-where-rifles-for-kindergarteners-are-commonplace.php

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[baldguy]

1. Giving toddlers & adolescents firearms may be rural culture.

Just like many other parts of "gun culture". But it's not part of mainstream American culture, and never has been. Who says it is, is simply lying. We should stop pretending that it is.

[Kelvin Mace]

2. I hear this excuse over and over again

"Kristian’s rifle was kept in a corner of the mobile home, and the family didn’t realize a bullet had been left in it, Cumberland County Coroner Gary White said."

That and people get shot while "cleaning" their gun.

No, people were playing around and shot themselves/someone else. The first rule of handling any firearm is to check to see if it is loaded. Only people who are brain-damaged do not, as a matter for REFLEX, check the chamber and safety of a firearm when they pick one up. I have handled firearms, up to and including military grade, my entire life, have cleaned quite a few in my day as well, yet lived to tell the tale.

The level of gross negligence that comes with allowing a 5 year-old to handle ANY projectile weapon is STAGGERING. I would argue that any these people should be stripped of their parental rights, their surviving children be removed from their custody and that they be prohibited from contact with children in the same manner that sex offenders are banned.

These people are a clear and present danger to children, themselves and society.

[hollysmom]

6. yet they can't play lawn darts.

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. ...to be repeated, again and again.

Nothing will change. Ever.

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

4. Here Little Johnny... your blunt scissors, your helmet for bike riding, your....

your carseat in the back seat...

Oh and don't forget your .22!!!!


Not really going to comment on the 'society of gun ownership', just the WTF? for the things we DO to our kids.

[geek tragedy]

5. How can people be stunned that five-year olds and firearms turned out to be a tragic mix?

Seriously.

Would they keep cobras and rattlesnakes in the house with five year olds and give the kid a copperhead for their 4th birthday?