A Motherless Child

[phantom power]

...this comment by the victim’s father-in-law encapsulates the attitude that will lead to many more incidents like these:

“She was not the least bit irresponsible,” he said. “She was taken much too soon.”

If a two-year-old can get hold of your gun and discharge it, you’re being irresponsible. The “taken” part makes it sound like it was just another unavoidable “act of God”, which it wasn’t. It was a completely avoidable consequence of open carry culture. You just don’t need to carry a gun in your purse to protect yourself in the Hayden, Idaho Wal-Mart.

http://www.balloon-juice.com/2014/12/31/a-motherless-child/

[randys1]

1. Reminds me of a Van Morrison song...but yes, this attitude is remarkable.

I wish we could rope off a few states (this is actually Carlin's idea, I am stealing it)

put all the gun nuts, meth addicts, drug dealers (you know, the ones who shoot people on a regular basis or torture them), rightwing politicians and Jerry Falwell admirers (many names could be put in that one) in there and give them a truck load of whiskey, methamphetamine and all the guns that exist in America and let them have it out.


If you dont want to belong to this category and you arent religious or a politician, then get rid of your gun and whala...

[Skittles]

2. gun humpers have won

yes, you STUPID FUCKING ASSHOLES - this is the result of the NRA's EVERYONE ARMED, EVERYONE PARANOID ALL THE TIME mentality

[PowerToThePeople]

3. truth

Ban all guns!!!!!

[Skittles]

6. actually, that's a gun humping argument

lack of critical thinking skills

[SoCalMusicLover]

4. Guns Are More Important Than Just One Mother

Question: If given the choice, what do you think the father-in-law and husband would choose?

You can have your daughter back, but only if you give up your rights to ever own a gun again.

If someone has to even think for a second of an answer to that choice, something is wrong.

My guess is that they would rather have the guns pried out of their cold, dead hands, than have their "responsible" daughter/wife back.

[PowerToThePeople]

5. i talked once with a gun humper

Whose son suicided with her gun. She blamed depression and alchohol, but does not question the gun at all. She is a "pry it out of my cold dead hands" humper still.

Very sad story.

http://m.dailykos.com/story/2014/12/30/1354773/-Gun-Owner-Shot-and-Killed-by-Two-Year-Old

Remember folks: a gun is 30-40 times more likely to be used in a suicidal shooting, an accidental shooting, or a shooting during a domestic disturbance, than to be used to shoot a criminal attacker.

The best way to protect yourself and your family is to get rid of any guns in your possession or in your home.

[hollysmom]

7. this makes me wonder - what is the least bit irresponsible?

Duck taping a fully loaded gun to the child's hand and taking off the safety?
Or is it carrying it in an open purse with a flashing light shining on it - how irresponsible is irresponsible?
"Oops I kept sugar in a jar next to the rat poison and didn't label either bottle, I am very responsible, it was in a bottle, not lying on the counter!!!!!"?

[herding cats]

8. Apparently she was a nuclear scientist.

The woman who was accidentally shot dead by her two-year-old son in an Idaho Walmart is described by those who knew her as a gun lover, a motivated academic and a successful nuclear research scientist.

<>

While shopping with her son and nieces in the store, Rutledge carried a loaded small-caliber handgun zippered in a pocket in her purse. The purse was a Christmas gift from her husband, Colt Rutledge, one designed specifically for concealed carry, the Washington Post reported.
Veronica Rutledge Idaho walmart Veronica Rutledge. Photograph: Facebook

“All the precautionary measures weren’t taken to ensure the safety of that weapon,” Miller said later.

Despite Miller’s comment, the Rutledges were reportedly experienced gun owners and shooters. Rutledge had a concealed carry permit, police said. She loved to hunt, shoot and camp, friends and family told the Washington Post.

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2014/dec/31/idaho-nuclear-scientist-shot-dead-son-walmart

Well, duh. The proper precautionary measure when one is carrying a loaded gun on them would, at the very least, require it have a safety on, not to mention keeping it out of the reach of children.

If this tragedy should teach us anything it's that even people who think they're "responsible gun owners" screw up. When they do the reality is people can die from their mistake. It would appear this woman was intelligent, well educated and meant the legal requirements in Idaho to obtain a concealed carry permit, yet even she made mistakes which ultimately cost her her own life.

This was a 100% avoidable tragedy yet it won't be the last one of its kind, which is due largely to the irresponsibly relaxed attitudes many Americans currently have about guns.

[kentuck]

9. Richie Havens

Motherless Child

[AngryAmish]

10. I live in the big city

I spend time in not so nice neighborhoods. I know a lot of criminals.

But I don't own or carry a gun. I have 2 kids below 8. I sleepwalk. And I get drunk almost every day.

It is irresponsible for me to own a gun. So I don't.

Everyone should also do a similar cost/benefit test.