5 year old shoots and kills 2 year old sister.

[Kiro]

My parents did with both me and my brother. We turned out fine. And I was the "Ooh, what's that!" kid that always fiddled with anything within reach.

 

[Black Noise]

My parents did with both me and my brother. We turned out fine. And I was the "Ooh, what's that!" kid that always fiddled with anything within reach.

But, as can be seen by the article this thread is about, not all kids turn out fine when left alone. If not a gun, then a knife, if not a knife, then a sharp toy or small object. I was the kid who put everything in their mouth, can't tell you how many times my mom talks about having to stop me from choking as a small child. But just cause I'm fine now doesn't mean every kid like me turned out fine.

 

[Kiro]

Well no, obviously. But there's being cautious, and there's being paranoid and overprotective.

All the times I see people freaking out because they haven't seen their six - twelve year old child for 15 minutes makes me just bewildered. When I was six I was running around on the beach back home, climbing cliffs and jumping streams for hours on end, with my parents being indoors.

That said, I understand the difference between a small town like the one I grew up in and a big city, but still.

 

[Vaanes]

I'd agree with Kiro, parents are getting kind of ridiculous today.

It used to be that kids had a lot more freedom in the past (at least in the States, I cannot speak for outside the country due to lack of experience there) Parents would just tell their kids to go outside and play and they'd show back up at home when it got dark/when they got bored. Nowadays though it seems like kids get coddled a lot more.

 

[Black Noise]

Well no, obviously. But there's being cautious, and there's being paranoid and overprotective.

All the times I see people freaking out because they haven't seen their six - twelve year old child for 15 minutes makes me just bewildered. When I was six I was running around on the beach back home, climbing cliffs and jumping streams for hours on end, with my parents being indoors.

That said, I understand the difference between a small town like the one I grew up in and a big city, but still.

True, and what you're saying does end up with being overprotective. But in this case, it was a five year old and a two year old left alone for god knows how long with a rifle stored in an area the child could easily access. Even with said weapon, two year old children honestly can't be left alone in an unenclosed area.

And yea, a big city and a small town really do have major differences. Small towns can allow that with their children, cities like Chicago, New York, Miami, they can not.

Regardless, I understand your position Kiro, and yes, I am borderline overprotective, but not to the point where is freak out if a ten year old kid I was coaching or watching disappeared for a couple minutes.

I'd agree with Kiro, parents are getting kind of ridiculous today.

It used to be that kids had a lot more freedom in the past (at least in the States, I cannot speak for outside the country due to lack of experience there) Parents would just tell their kids to go outside and play and they'd show back up at home when it got dark/when they got bored. Nowadays though it seems like kids get coddled a lot more.

It also used to be you didn't have to lock your door at night when you lived in a large town. It used to be that random raping and murders were rare occurrences. It used to be that a child wasn't abducted once every 40 seconds. We don't live in that world anymore. And yea kids get coddled, because parents don't beat them anymore, not because parents don't want little Johnny playing out on the street in the middle of a bad area or an area where everyone and their mother keeps a loaded gun lying around.

 

[Matt]

I'm sorry, only really read the story now. WTF is wrong with you people? I'm not saying my country is perfect, far from it but making guns specifically for children.

How can you not see the sheer insanity in that....I don't...I just....

 

[Silver Cutlass]

Honestly, this is why I adamantly believe that a Gun Safety Course should be required before purchasing a gun. I didn't get my first gun until I was about 7, and even then, I didn't get to shoot it. It was left in the corner of my parent's closet, hiden behind shoes, piles of clothes, and whatever other junk was in there. The thing was always unloaded if it wasn't going to be shot within the next minute, and the ammo was placed on a high shelf which I couldn't reach until I turned about 13. I had taken a gun safety course when I was nine, I remember, one of my local church's members was also a member of the NRA, and we were able to partake in a Gun Safety Course, which I think was called the Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Course. I haven't taken one since, but everytime I pull a gun out to shoot it, I always remember the Golden Rules of Gun Safety: Never put your finger on the trigger unless you are absolutely ready to fire, and never point the gun at anything you aren't willing to destroy even if its unloaded.

 

[Endling vas Precious]

Guns are dumb. People are dumb.

Ugh.

 

[Brandon Rhea]

Honestly, this is why I adamantly believe that a Gun Safety Course should be required before purchasing a gun. I didn't get my first gun until I was about 7, and even then, I didn't get to shoot it. It was left in the corner of my parent's closet, hiden behind shoes, piles of clothes, and whatever other junk was in there. The thing was always unloaded if it wasn't going to be shot within the next minute, and the ammo was placed on a high shelf which I couldn't reach until I turned about 13. I had taken a gun safety course when I was nine, I remember, one of my local church's members was also a member of the NRA, and we were able to partake in a Gun Safety Course, which I think was called the Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Course. I haven't taken one since, but everytime I pull a gun out to shoot it, I always remember the Golden Rules of Gun Safety: Never put your finger on the trigger unless you are absolutely ready to fire, and never point the gun at anything you aren't willing to destroy even if its unloaded.

I remember Eddie the Eagle.

Stop, don't touch, leave the area, tell an adult!

 

[Cassanova]

I think anyone who purchases a firearm should be required to purchase a gun safe. Granted there will still be those idiots who leave the things out but I think it would encourage the safe storage of them.

This.

This is actually law in Australia.
Regardless of the weapon, we have a huge number of restrictions on weapons, ranging from caliber of ammunition to type of ammunition. Weapon storage, age, background checks, proximity to schools, etc.

As an example; I am currently beginning the process of acquiring a .22 caliber bolt-action rimfire rifle. I am a 24 year old male, with no criminal record. In order for me to even discuss buying a weapon at a gun shop, I have to have my licence, specifically for the type of weapon I wish to purchase. Once I've got my licence (which involves a string of background checks and a formal one-on-one interview with a state official - usually a police officer), and before i am able to take possession of the weapon I have to have the following:

Please note, before these steps can take place there is a 30 day cooling off period before my license is actually issued.

First I have to purchase a gun safe (which must, in itself, meet certain restrictions including width, hinge type, locking mechanism, and how it is affixed to the house itself), i then have to arrange with the state police to have an inspection of the storage set up which is documented with a detailed array of paperwork and photographic records.

At this point, I purchase my rifle, and them am subject to a second 30 day cooling off period before I actually take possession of the weapon - which is usually delivered by the police, who then watch you and sign off on your storage procedures - including ensuring the rifle is unloaded, ammunition is stored separately (usually in the same cabinet, but requires a second key), and the key is not left in an obvious place.

So for me to get a gun, It takes over 2 months, a buttload of cash, and enough paperwork to level half an acre of rainforest.

Gun-related deaths in australia? Very, very low.

This is why.

 

[Kiro]

*Snip*

Same in Norway, except that here, you also have to pass a Hunter's Exam as well, where you're schooled in the use and handling of a rifle, how to unload and store it, etc. Sure, it does also teach you how to make clean kill on a deer or a grouse, but still.

 

[Rom]

The Daily Show just did a 3 part interview on gun control laws in Australia... Makes me extremely disappointed in how my country reacts to gun massacres in comparison.

 

[Cassanova]

No one's perfect, Rom. But we Australians are about as close as you'll get ;)

In all seriousness, having lived in the USA and having attempted to get a weapon in the USA i was appalled to find that as an Australian citizen, with little more than a US drivers license (which i still hold) can walk into walmart in the USA, and in the space of 10 minutes buy a .22 rifle and 100 bullets and walk out, gun in hand, ammunition in the other and do whatever the hell i'd like.

(i tested this theory when i was in Nevada, and again in Arizona about two years ago)

Come to Australia.

Guns don't kill people. Snakes do.
(eat that you NRA muppets)

 

[Rom]

I would love to move to another country, but my finances don't allow for it. Incan barely afford the expenses of driving to Orlando, which is a 2 hour drive from me.

Not to mention I dunno what I would be doing for work over there seeing as I am degree less. Between costs of continued education and moving and getting a new place :/
EDIT:
Hell; I'd love to even visit another country. I've had opportunities to study abroad (I was taking a Social Problems course that was linked to the same class in Sweden, made a lot of friends and when the Head of the College visited the US with two of her students and the two teachers of the course they asked us questions about the Swedish culture and we did the same about US culture - I was able to answer every single question and revealed I had been learning Swedish in my spare time so I could understand my overseas partners better. Head immediately was inviting me to study abroad and sent me all the forms and information I would need to do it - again, couldn't afford)
Ive left my state 5 times in my life; two national debate tournaments, a trip to Graceland in Memphis Tennessee with my grandmother, Franklin NC for Christmas hols, and NewYork city when I was like 5 years old.

 

[Kiro]

Also, on the subject of gun control: Norwegian Police aren't even allowed to carry side-arms. They are issued guns if they have to respond to something in manners akin to a SWAT team, but otherwise, no guns.

EDIT: They also have guns locked up in their cars, but they are not allowed to carry them on patrol.

 

[GABA]

With everyone trying to point fingers as who is to blame, has anyone given thought to this five year old who has to live with the fact for the rest of his days knowing he shot and killed his younger sister?

Just a thought in what ifs and should haves.

 

[Kiro]

With everyone trying to point fingers as who is to blame, has anyone given thought to this five year old who has to live with the fact for the rest of his days knowing he shot and killed his younger sister?

Just a thought in what ifs and should haves.

Yeah, that kid's gonna be scarred for life, methinks... even if he might not understand completely now, but in a few years...

 

[Master Maverick]

Rationale

Yes please

With everyone trying to point fingers as who is to blame, has anyone given thought to this five year old who has to live with the fact for the rest of his days knowing he shot and killed his younger sister?

Just a thought in what ifs and should haves.

Honestly, I can't even imagine. Mostly because I can't imagine having grown up in such a household with such values, etc. No judgements can be made on my part.

 

[Kiro]

Ugh... to add onto this tragedy, apparently a thirteen year old boy in Florida shot and critically injured his six year old sister, while they were playing hide and seek. The two kids were home alone when it happened. I'd post a link, but it's to a Norwegian newspaper.

 

[Jason Webb]

I think that the problem here is, believe it or not, not the gun but the parenting. Make sure it is unloaded. It takes literally one second to check if a gun is loaded or not, one second. I disagree that it is bad to make guns for children and that increased laws would have prevented this, just teach the kid. I was five and I knew where the guns were in the house, I never even considered playing with them. If I wanted to hold them I would just ask and my dad would bring them out and let me hold it (after he had cleared the chamber repeatedly I might mention. On that note, I always clear it three times after handling one and before as well as giving visual inspection.) I blame this entire thing on the parents.

@Cassanova, I think that it is great that an appropriately aged person can walk into Walmart and buy a rifle, the advantage of living in America is in many states and areas even if you did wish to use it for some sort of ****ed up plan the other people are capable of protecting themselves.

@Kiro At the age of 13 this boy/girl should KNOW not to do that! HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW?!

.... why are people so ignorant of this stuff?

Spoiler: Raging

On the idea of getting more laws, many criminals are first time offenders so background checks would do nothing, and even in this situation. Besides, criminals will get guns even if they are not allowed to, no criminal follows the law. That's why they are called criminals. I think it is a shame that you have to have a permit to carry a gun anyways, the Constitution say to keep AND bear arms. (That does not apply to muskets alone, but firearms in general.) Also notice that almost every shooting/massacre occurs in a gun free area (such as a school). Also known as law abiding citizens can not carry weapons.

Don't step on my rights, they protect yours.