Reply #34: "Playing with the gun"? Parents MUST be responsible.... [View All]

1. Guns are not for "playing". If the parents allowed their kids to treat guns as toys then they're responsible.

2. If the kids were not being supervised when this happened then the parents are responsible - if you're going to allow your kids to even touch your gun then YOU must ensure that it is not loaded when you hand it over to them and you MUST supervise them when they're using it.

3. Rule Number 1 (in my book) of gun safety - never point a gun at anyone unless you want to shoot them. It's almost impossible to shoot someone (ricochets excepted) unless you are pointing a gun in their direction.

4. If the kids found the gun or were able to easily retrieve it from wherever it was stored then the parents are responsible.

5. If the kids hadn't been given gun safety lessons by the parents then the parents are responsible.

I'm sorry, but owning a gun comes with certain responsibilities, especially if you're sharing your house with children. If you choose to exercise your "right" to have a gun then you MUST protect those around you from the potential danger it represents.

On top of these responsibilities, a trigger lock or a built-in mechanism to prevent the gun firing a chambered round once the mag is removed might have prevented this particular tragedy, but as guns will always be a danger children should always be protected.