07-01-2015, 01:25 AM
I'd think a prosecutor in any locale could bring child endangerment charges against an adult who leaves firearms out that goes on to cause death or injury to a child. That can and should be done under existing statute.
FWIW, every gun I have purchased has come with a gun lock. I believe they can be had for free as well via somewhere in most communities (PD, health dept, etc).
That said, unfortunately you can't regulate carelessness or stupidity.
People are required by law in every state to have their kid in a carseat. In most cases if you can't afford one you can get them free. Yet drive on any highway and you are bound to see unrestrained kids or someone holding a baby in their lap while driving. Pools have to be fenced in by ordinance in most places. Yet there are frequent stories of children still drowning in pools.
Now there is a law in California mandating vaccination. Penalties now exist for people who don't do it. But there are still going to be people who are not going to comply. And in that margin there will be a few bad situations that go down.
Bottom line is there are shit parents everywhere. Some leave a gun on a table, some don't buckle their kids in the car, and some leave the pool gate open.
It's heartbreaking when someone is irresponsible and kids die because of it. But it's not just guns - in fact it's much more frequently things other than guns.
Just my $.02
FWIW, every gun I have purchased has come with a gun lock. I believe they can be had for free as well via somewhere in most communities (PD, health dept, etc).
That said, unfortunately you can't regulate carelessness or stupidity.
People are required by law in every state to have their kid in a carseat. In most cases if you can't afford one you can get them free. Yet drive on any highway and you are bound to see unrestrained kids or someone holding a baby in their lap while driving. Pools have to be fenced in by ordinance in most places. Yet there are frequent stories of children still drowning in pools.
Now there is a law in California mandating vaccination. Penalties now exist for people who don't do it. But there are still going to be people who are not going to comply. And in that margin there will be a few bad situations that go down.
Bottom line is there are shit parents everywhere. Some leave a gun on a table, some don't buckle their kids in the car, and some leave the pool gate open.
It's heartbreaking when someone is irresponsible and kids die because of it. But it's not just guns - in fact it's much more frequently things other than guns.
Just my $.02