To say that you never know what a day will bring has terrifying meaning in the small, close knit community of St. Johns, AZ. It has been reported that an 8 year old boy shot and killed his father and a friend of the father with his 22 caliber rifle. No stranger to weapons, the child reloaded each of the three times he shot his father. He then proceeded to reload and go downstairs and shoot the family friend, who also rented a room from the family.
The child stated that he was mad at his father, but so far there has been no evidence of abuse in the family. Per news media, the child is being held in a Juvenile Detention Center and will be charged as a juvenile with premeditated murder.
Other reports stated that the father is an avid hunter and had trained his son to shoot prarie dogs.
The reason I am posting this story is not for the sensationalism of the story, but to bring attention to the fact of the importance of firearm safety in the home. Even though this child was experienced and trained in the handling of weapons, YOU STILL DON'T ALLOW THEM FREE REIN. SAFETY FIRST ENTAILS ALWAYS KEEPING FIREARMS OUT OF THE HANDS OF CHILDREN EXCEPT WHEN ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT.
I know, I know, you are saying, so what if the father handed the child the gun and they were going hunting and the child turned on the father - yes, that could have happened, but the fact that this 8 year old was able to have access to this rifle ALONG with the ammunition on his own is way below the safety limitations that should be implemented and upheld in the home.
The child stated that he was mad at his father, but so far there has been no evidence of abuse in the family. Per news media, the child is being held in a Juvenile Detention Center and will be charged as a juvenile with premeditated murder.
Other reports stated that the father is an avid hunter and had trained his son to shoot prarie dogs.
The reason I am posting this story is not for the sensationalism of the story, but to bring attention to the fact of the importance of firearm safety in the home. Even though this child was experienced and trained in the handling of weapons, YOU STILL DON'T ALLOW THEM FREE REIN. SAFETY FIRST ENTAILS ALWAYS KEEPING FIREARMS OUT OF THE HANDS OF CHILDREN EXCEPT WHEN ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT.
I know, I know, you are saying, so what if the father handed the child the gun and they were going hunting and the child turned on the father - yes, that could have happened, but the fact that this 8 year old was able to have access to this rifle ALONG with the ammunition on his own is way below the safety limitations that should be implemented and upheld in the home.
Please, please, first and foremost - TEACH YOUR CHILDREN FIREARM SAFETY AND KEEP ALL WEAPONS AND AMMUNITION LOCKED UP AND OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN!!!!!!!
I ran across a good article on Firearm Safety in Your Home from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - please take the time to read it - ESPECIALLY if you have children in the home:
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