what a tragic situation.

my views on ATS are public...i dont understand the whole "american" way with guns. i have since changed about my views in that i think you should all be allowed to have your guns...but make the bullets $1000 each.

-The thing is, of all the people who will have guns (even if ours are taken) this Sheriff would be one of the ones WITH a Firearm.

This is going to be spun to show that "even trained Officers blah, blah, blah" but the fact is, as tragic as this is- The guy is a freaking idiot. How does a 4 year old get ahold of a loaded gun, chamber a round, turn off the safety, etc...etc... and have the lack of supervision to be able to do such? How could this even happen? And remember- Even if you take all of our guns- This guy would have still had his and THIS still would have happened.

-AND tragedy aside- This is an issue of a double standard. The Police are treated differently even if they do something stupid (like leaving an unsecured, laded firearm in reach of a four year old) than a citizen who has a less stupid (but still stupid) accident (12 year old finds a secured Shotgun in the attic, unsecured it and shoots himself- father is sitting in jail while his potentially dying son is airlifted to a trauma center)

This is not only an issue of total irresponsibility- But an issue of different laws and procedures for different people.

Well, I'll be keeping my eyes and ears peeled for this story to make its way into national news. Seems were about due for another sensationalized, exploited gun story in America. Can't give the people TOO much time to forget. The only big story at the moment involving guns is that Oscar Pistorius case, but thats more of the larger world-wide campaign to disarm the peasantry and non-elites than the just as large and important American campaign.

Originally posted by SerratedSoul
Well, I'll be keeping my eyes and ears peeled for this story to make its way into national news. Seems were about due for another sensationalized, exploited gun story in America. Can't give the people TOO much time to forget. The only big story at the moment involving guns is that Oscar Pistorius case, but thats more of the larger world-wide campaign to disarm the peasantry and non-elites than the just as large and important American campaign.

That was my first thought when it was merely a shooting...Once the Child was pronounced dead and it actually made the local news- I could just picture the hawks -a- circling...

We could be looking at a negligent storage of firearms charge which may be a gross misdemeanor if he knows, or reasonably should know it was stored improperly.

Being an officer of the law, it goes without saying that he falls under this category of 'should know better'.

If it does get discussed on some national level, it'll be interesting to see what solutions are offered up in order to prevent these tragic accidents.

Hey I have an idea.
How about mandatory home inspections of all firearms owners?
The DHS could head this up, and the inspections will be frequent, random, and unannounced.

Originally posted by bellagirl
what a tragic situation.

my views on ATS are public...i dont understand the whole "american" way with guns. i have since changed about my views in that i think you should all be allowed to have your guns...but make the bullets $1000 each.

Why's that? You think the rich are more responsible?

Another dead kid.
Guns don't kill people, people kill people?
It's the pathetic gun loving culture that caused this.
We need our guns to protect ourselves from a tyrannical government? Yeah right. You gun freaks ain't done jack so far, while the government walks all over you.

Originally posted by BoogieMan911
Another dead kid.
Guns don't kill people, people kill people?
It's the pathetic gun loving culture that caused this.
We need our guns to protect ourselves from a tyrannical government? Yeah right. You gun freaks ain't done jack so far, while the government walks all over you.

Again, put all that aside.

THIS was a Sheriff... Regardless of "gun culture" Sheriffs will always have guns. Do your Law Enforcement have Firearms??? This isnt about gun culture but see...This is going to be the spin.

This gun could be the mothers gun. The kid could have found the night stand hand gun. Somehow seen the parents put it there and the rest is history. Sad but could be true. Or in moms purse. Just guessing.

Originally posted by Tomylong
This gun could be the mothers gun. The kid could have found the night stand hand gun. Somehow seen the parents put it there and the rest is history. Sad but could be true. Or in moms purse. Just guessing.

You are correct. Regardless, the four year old was not being supervised around a weapon which locked and loaded... I am a Firearm owner and I had young children (they are long since grown) and they were NEVER in any position to get even close to a weapon...

Being a Sheriff means he (and his wife as it were) should have had a far greater awareness of firearm safety and proper storage.

-Its tragic and pointless.

Originally posted by BoogieMan911
Another dead kid.
Guns don't kill people, people kill people?
It's the pathetic gun loving culture that caused this.
We need our guns to protect ourselves from a tyrannical government? Yeah right. You gun freaks ain't done jack so far, while the government walks all over you.

Nice try, and by the way your hate is showing, but it was actually an officer of the law that caused this.

Not an entire stereotyped group of people.
Put the wide brush away, simma down, and let's talk.
Why are you so mad?

i think it'll prove to be but a mere "blip on the screen", with regards 'national news' ... a quick blurb @ 6, 10 & perhaps 11 ... nothing moar.

There won't likely be any sort of public outcry, or gain from those who wish to use the incident 'politically', because it was a member of law enforcement who 'owned/housed' the gun - which i'm quite certain is the point attempting to be made here. (?)

Citizen A would typically be encountering and having to undergo Numerous interviews, statements &/or interrogations to 'Protect' his/her innocence


while

Officer/Sheriff B is afforded 'time off with pay' to handel arrangements and console/mourn their loss of a child, Due to their OWN Damn Negligence!!!

's that about right OP?

It would seem so, and I do have to agree, it's Just not Right, but, for the most part, How It Is.