No parents home when KC child, 8, fires gun

[Spirit51]

I hope I am right putting this here. It was first reported as a child fending off a intruder.

No parents home when KC child, 8, fires gun - KansasCity.com



Sounds like the parents didn't educate the child on fire arms in their home and didn't secure the weapon while gone.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[ANGLICO]

Very lucky outcome. Not much detail, but would be interested to know how old the other minors were and who was or was not 'supervising'. Parent's have some splaining to do.

[Bridge84]

I actually know the family involved in this story, which proves to me how much the media can misinform the public. The boy is 10 years old and was home alone with his younger sister who is 8. The "father" is actually the step father, and he is a marine. The boy had been talking to other kids about the gun. He described it and told them that he knew that the gun was loaded, the safety was on, and that it was kept in a dresser drawer. It's fortunate they weren't hurt, but the parents have been asking for trouble.

There are other minor children. The woman has four children 13, 10, 8, and 2. The three oldest are from a previous relationship and the youngest with her husband. Only the two youngest from the previous relationship were left home, which is not uncommon for the parents if they can't get anyone to look after them. It's just sad that two adults in the home with kids could get so wrapped up in themselves and the kid they have in common that they would leave a loaded gun in the house with kids who shouldn't have been home alone because they had nothing to keep them busy nor their older sibling to look after them. The gun should have been hidden better, unloaded or taken out of the house when they left. Kids really shouldn't have to be taught how to use nor allowed to handle a gun. Gun safety is for adults, and if there's a gun in the house, 8 and 10 year old kids shouldn't know about it. Not to mention the fact that you see the Grandmother come get them from the house while reporters were there (and she had a kid with her).

[Spirit51]

Maybe this can be a learning experience for the parents. I am sure that the officials will make it so.
They both need a good back into reality.

[RightyLefty]

Jeez, I have no kids and I keep my guns locked up just in case someone breaks in and steals them. Having kids would be another reason to have a safe of some sort. This is just stupid on a number of levels.

[NH_Esau]

Gun safety is for adults, and if there's a gun in the house, 8 and 10 year old kids shouldn't know about it.

Completely disagree with you here. Firearm safety ought to be for all kids, whether there's a firearm at home or not ('cause hopefully they have friends). Start 'em on Eddie Eagle before you ever turn on Power Rangers or other such trash.

I grew up before Eddie Eagle, with unlocked firearms in the house (even had a shotgun and ammo in my own closet at not much older). My kids knew where the firearms were before that age, but also knew "Stop. Don't Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult."

Oh, and I used to be left at home at less than 10... and ride my bike across town to go fishing/BB gun shooting at about that age (wasn't allowed to take the shotgun out by myself till later).

[JustinApple]

Kids really shouldn't have to be taught how to use nor allowed to handle a gun. Gun safety is for adults, and if there's a gun in the house, 8 and 10 year old kids shouldn't know about it.[/QUOTE]

Completely disagree also. Both my daughters have been around guns their whole life, their now 6/8yo, my oldest is joining me today for the First Annual Fathers take your Daughters to the Range Day.

They both started at age 5 just like I did on a Red Rider. Have been educated on the the FIVE rules of guns.. As well as going with me and my wife to the range at least once a month.

Both have completed the Eddie Eagle.

Both are very competent in what to do when they see or are around guns.

Education is key, just like anything else in life, a kitchen knife, the gas stove, even power tools, chemicals.. You don't teach them about it, their natural curiosity will sooner or latter.. I for one am not willing to take that risk.. It's the parents responsibility to raise their child in the way he/she should go.

My oldest with her first rifle, HK 416

[retsupt99]

Train them, gun-proof them when they are young...it works!

[ccw9mm]

Kids aware of the weapons and location, but apparently without training and unsupervised, with the gun(s) kept in a drawer. If this is the case, that approaches begging for one or more of the kids to come to violent harm due to parental deficiency.

Father is a "marine," eh? Well, he needs to refocus on some "basic" training inside his own home. IMO, he needs to deep-dip the kids on firearms safety and general training, to convert whatever dangerous curiosities they might have into understanding and acceptance of the nature of the tool and safety issues related to it. Gun-proofing doesn't happen any other way.

To each his own. But if these parents want their children to survive, they need to think a little more deeply about what could easily happen, and how relatively easy it is to vastly reduce the risk.

Good lesson.

[Chaplain Scott]

I am 60 (big sigh--never really thought it could happen to me), but in the logging town I grew up in, having guns, or loaded guns around a home was a normal thing in the entire community. Every pickup had a gun rack in the back window, usually with a rifle and shotgun in the rack--loaded. We were all taught about gun safety, if not by our parents, by our friends' parents. No one, in all the years of my growing up, accidently shot themselves or another child. Teach a child, educate them well, teach them good morals and ethics and parents and other adults then lead by example, and you will be amazed at how responsible kids can be..........

[abandonhope]

I am 60 (big sigh--never really thought it could happen to me), but in the logging town I grew up in, having guns, or loaded guns around a home was a normal thing in the entire community. Every pickup had a gun rack in the back window, usually with a rifle and shotgun in the rack--loaded. We were all taught about gun safety, if not by our parents, by our friends' parents. No one, in all the years of my growing up, accidently shot themselves or another child. Teach a child, educate them well, teach them good morals and ethics and parents and other adults then lead by example, and you will be amazed at how responsible kids can be..........

I agree entirely!
I grew up an army brat with country kinfolk. Every house I knew of had an arsenal. None of my friends, family or neighbors' children ever "accidently" shot someone. Raising children in a culture that respects guns and teaches safety and appropriate behavior is the best way to keep them safe. Thinking that your kid won't find the gun, crack the safe, find the keys, disable the lock, etc is delusional.

[lyz_grace]

Completely disagree also. Both my daughters have been around guns their whole life, their now 6/8yo, my oldest is joining me today for the First Annual Fathers take your Daughters to the Range Day.

{...snip...}

What a cutie!! You go girl!!

[shooterX]

Glad this didn't turn out badly, hopefully the parents will learn from this and teach the kids about gun safety.

[Harryball]

I actually know the family involved in this story, which proves to me how much the media can misinform the public. The boy is 10 years old and was home alone with his younger sister who is 8. The "father" is actually the step father, and he is a marine. The boy had been talking to other kids about the gun. He described it and told them that he knew that the gun was loaded, the safety was on, and that it was kept in a dresser drawer. It's fortunate they weren't hurt, but the parents have been asking for trouble.

There are other minor children. The woman has four children 13, 10, 8, and 2. The three oldest are from a previous relationship and the youngest with her husband. Only the two youngest from the previous relationship were left home, which is not uncommon for the parents if they can't get anyone to look after them. It's just sad that two adults in the home with kids could get so wrapped up in themselves and the kid they have in common that they would leave a loaded gun in the house with kids who shouldn't have been home alone because they had nothing to keep them busy nor their older sibling to look after them. The gun should have been hidden better, unloaded or taken out of the house when they left. Kids really shouldn't have to be taught how to use nor allowed to handle a gun. Gun safety is for adults, and if there's a gun in the house, 8 and 10 year old kids shouldn't know about it. Not to mention the fact that you see the Grandmother come get them from the house while reporters were there (and she had a kid with her).

I have one word for this (and these parents) STUPID

[JustinApple]

What a cutie!! You go girl!!

An 8yo girly girl, all pinked out right down to the glasses and plugs..

Everyone was like "awe" then expected her to just sit and watch... she pulls out her HK AR 416 and starts driving tacks at 50yd...

It didn't take but 20 rounds and I had people hovering around watching asking ?'s... How old is she? Damn shes good..

Then the Princess drops her mag, clears her weapon.. Looks around at everyone wondering what the heck?
Then yells.. CLEAR.. I swear the silence could of killed someone.. Then the old man 4 benches down yelled "did you hear the little lady? Clear your guns boys, have you no training or manners?"

This is the future of our country, I saw it yesterday at the First Annual Fathers take your Daughter to the Range Day, women of all ages are taking a stand to show that they can shoot too, and honestly better than most all guys.

I was proud to see so many fathers bring out their daughters, I watched six classes of young ladies 8-16yo go from scared to secure in less than an hour. Applied the basic rules of safety, listened to the instructors, follow the range masters calls, and in just minuets showed proficiency and accuracy of sub 2" MOA at 25yd with the donated .22 rifles. Beyond outstanding for first time students.

This only happened at 30 or so ranges, I see it going to 300 by next year.. They did all of this from an idea back in January in just a few months, they have a year for the next one!

Take a lesson boys, it's started, their coming, their focused, they really are naturally better, and these ladies mean business... HOOAH!

I know this wasn't the right place for this rant.. But I think it's every fathers right and privilege to brag on their kids! God Bless!