What in the world was she thinking?

[JB_Iowa]

With due respect to the deceased, I will never understand this

 

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/2-year-old-accidentally-kills-his-mom-in-wal-mart/ar-BBhmnXx

 

Why have a loaded gun in your purse while shopping with 4 kids in what is probably a pretty safe Wal-mart (relatively small town).

 

I will never understand the mindset.

[TheLeviathan]

That poor child is going to live the rest of his/her life knowing he killed someone.  (Probably his mother by most accounts)

[JB_Iowa]

That poor child is going to live the rest of his/her life knowing he killed someone.  (Probably his mother by most accounts)

 

And the other 3 kids have to be traumatized -- it sounds like they were right there,

 

Just makes me sad (and mad.)

[glunn]

I wonder about the ratio of accidents to killing of criminals.  I also wonder why she did not have the gun safety turned on, assuming that this was a semi-automatic.

 

I prefer revolvers for their reliability, but keep the top chamber empty just in case.

 

This is a tragedy, but hopefully also a wake up call.

[Bark's Lounge]

This is one of those weird shooting deaths, where it will make front page news because of the odd circumstances.

 

In this kind of event, you would hope that the family could brush it under the carpet and protect the toddler from it. Unfortunately that will probably not be the case as this child's siblings witnessed it and I am going to guess some of them are at an age where they will not forget it.

 

Although tragic, this stuff happens everyday without the odd circumstances attached to it, and the person that is hit by a stray bullet or an intentional one is just a foot note or fine print buried deep inside a website or on the back page of a local newspaper.

 

Sadly to say, it's just another day, another dollar, living in our society - and with saying that, it does make me feel bad that incident happened.

[glunn]

I would not want to live in a state where concealed carry permits are easy to get.  It seems to me that a huge amount of training should be required, and even then people should not be allowed to carry guns into stores/restaurants.

[Mike Sixel]

I would not want to live in a state where concealed carry permits are easy to get.  It seems to me that a huge amount of training should be required, and even then people should not be allowed to carry guns into stores/restaurants.

 

good luck finding a state to live in.....

 

Why the safety was not on is mind boggling, unreal, baffling, choose your word.

 

Frankly, I don't get the desire so many have to carry guns, but if they are going to, at least try to not accidentally get the rest of us killed through your stupidity.

[JB_Iowa]

They publish the list of conceled gun permits for our county once a year in the newspaper.  Since we only have about 30,000 in the county, I usually know many of them.  Some are easy to figure out -- business at night, etc.-- and some are a little puzzling.  I'm just glad the list isn't longer.  Fortunately we've got a fairly low crime rate.

[SweetOne69]

I wonder about the ratio of accidents to killing of criminals.  I also wonder why she did not have the gun safety turned on, assuming that this was a semi-automatic.

 

I prefer revolvers for their reliability, but keep the top chamber empty just in case.

 

This is a tragedy, but hopefully also a wake up call.

 

The empty chamber on a revolver has no benefit for modern revolvers.  That only applies for older revolvers where the firing pin is actually part of the hammer to prevent an accidental discharge if the hammer releases accidently (ie bumped or dropped).

 

Also many semi-automatics don't have manual safeties as well. I own 4 hand guns (1 revolver and 3 semi-autos), only 1 of the 4 has a manual safety (1911 Variant).  Glocks and XDs don't have a manual safety as well as many other guns (especially in the micro compact variety).

[diehardtwinsfan]

I would not want to live in a state where concealed carry permits are easy to get.  It seems to me that a huge amount of training should be required, and even then people should not be allowed to carry guns into stores/restaurants.

I don't agree with this. There's this little thing called the 2nd amendment that says something about "shall not be infringed". I get gun safety needs to be a priority, and I get that these accidents are tragic and happen far more often than they do. But gun ownership has more to do with the framers of our constitution wanting a well armed population as a means to provide a check and balance against a tyrannical government (which they all become when there's nothing to stop them) then it does to stop the random crime (which it does help without question).

 

The problem is that this debate is always framed in limiting gun rights. The government can just as easily spend it's resources on promoting gun safety and making that a public priority than attempting to limit everyone's rights to gun ownership based on the actions of a few. I do feel sorry for this family, and that toddler is going to have some terrible issues to deal with because his/her mother didn't think things through. My mom kept a gun in her purse. it was in a sealed compartment that you had to undo to get at it. It also had a safety. Granted, it was an oldstyle revolver, but for that type of purpose, that type of gun is a good one to use.

[JB_Iowa]

The empty chamber on a revolver has no benefit for modern revolvers.  That only applies for older revolvers where the firing pin is actually part of the hammer to prevent an accidental discharge if the hammer releases accidently (ie bumped or dropped).

 

Also many semi-automatics don't have manual safeties as well. I own 4 hand guns (1 revolver and 3 semi-autos), only 1 of the 4 has a manual safety (1911 Variant).  Glocks and XDs don't have a manual safety as well as many other guns (especially in the micro compact variety).

 

This post along with the updated story make me  so deoressed I want to curl up and hide. 

[USAFChief]

I don't agree with this. There's this little thing called the 2nd amendment that says something about "shall not be infringed". I get gun safety needs to be a priority, and I get that these accidents are tragic and happen far more often than they do. But gun ownership has more to do with the framers of our constitution wanting a well armed population as a means to provide a check and balance against a tyrannical government (which they all become when there's nothing to stop them) then it does to stop the random crime (which it does help without question).The problem is that this debate is always framed in limiting gun rights. The government can just as easily spend it's resources on promoting gun safety and making that a public priority than attempting to limit everyone's rights to gun ownership based on the actions of a few. I do feel sorry for this family, and that toddler is going to have some terrible issues to deal with because his/her mother didn't think things through. My mom kept a gun in her purse. it was in a sealed compartment that you had to undo to get at it. It also had a safety. Granted, it was an oldstyle revolver, but for that type of purpose, that type of gun is a good one to use.

Not to derail this thread, but I don't think the people who wrote the constitution had today's weapons in mind in the late 1700s.

 

I also don't believe governments always become tyrannical if the populace isn't armed. There are numerous counter examples to that theory.

 

And if it came to it, no amount of personal firearms are going to be effective against the resources of the government, which includes the military. Thinking otherwise is pretty delusional, IMO.

[TheLeviathan]

Not to derail this thread, but I don't think the people who wrote the constitution had today's weapons in mind in the late 1700s.

 

I also don't believe governments always become tyrannical if the populace isn't armed. There are numerous counter examples to that theory.

 

And if it came to it, no amount of personal firearms are going to be effective against the resources of the government, which includes the military. Thinking otherwise is pretty delusional, IMO.

 

To add to this - there are also quite a few armed populaces that still met the boot of a tyrant.  Even today.  

 

And even further, if the goal of the second amendment is to have an armed populace...fine.  Why does that mean every Sally Shopper and Bob Browser at Walmart have to be packing heat?  Is that where the government is going to strike first or something?

[Mike Sixel]

Actually, that part of the constitution starts with " A well regulated militia", a part no one seems to recall. And, infringe does not mean "no regulation", unfortunately, people seem to think, despite evidence in looking at every other civilized nation, that they are safer with guns (which apparently don't have safeties anymore).

[TheLeviathan]

Actually, that part of the constitution starts with " A well regulated militia", a part no one seems to recall. And, infringe does not mean "no regulation", unfortunately, people seem to think, despite evidence in looking at every other civilized nation, that they are safer with guns (which apparently don't have safeties anymore).

 

I don't think the presence or absence of guns (or regulations) is our problem.  I firmly believe our problem is that guns are sexy and awesome in American culture.  Our cultural perspective on guns is the true problem, not how many there are or what kind of gun they are.

[Mike Sixel]

I don't think the presence or absence of guns (or regulations) is our problem.  I firmly believe our problem is that guns are sexy and awesome in American culture.  Our cultural perspective on guns is the true problem, not how many there are or what kind of gun they are.

 

Ya, we probably won't agree on that......but I'm ok with that. But if we are going to allow guns, then, just like cars, there should be training, and re-certification, and licensing and all kinds of other stuff that still allows you to own a gun, but requires you to really know how to use one (including how to safely have it with you).

[gunnarthor]

One of my daughter's friend's dad leaves his handgun in his bedside nightstand, without a lock.  Despite his oldest girl being 8 and having a younger son as well.  My wife and I won't let my daughter play at that house (but will let the girl come over).  

[SweetOne69]

Actually, that part of the constitution starts with " A well regulated militia", a part no one seems to recall. And, infringe does not mean "no regulation", unfortunately, people seem to think, despite evidence in looking at every other civilized nation, that they are safer with guns (which apparently don't have safeties anymore).

 

Do you know what the definition of Militia is/was at the time the Constitution was written?  It has nothing to do with National Guard or Army Reserve.  Militia was defined as all able bodied men between 18 and 45.  Which means it was all civilians (actually white men).

[SweetOne69]

One of my daughter's friend's dad leaves his handgun in his bedside nightstand, without a lock.  Despite his oldest girl being 8 and having a younger son as well.  My wife and I won't let my daughter play at that house (but will let the girl come over).  

 

If you are going to use a firearm for home defense, it must be ready for use (i.e. loaded) and accessible.

 

But you also have to prevent against accidental discharge by mishandling by children.  The way to do this is through education and to remove the curiosity factor regarding the gun.  Don't just hide the gun and expect you child not to find it.  Show him or her where it is and explain that it is NOT a toy and that he or she can't touch it without parental permission/supervision.  Let them know if they have any questions they can ask anytime.

 

That being said you are well within your rights to not allow your child to play at the house.  Or you discuss with the parents that to allow you child to play at their house, the guns must be locked up.

[Mike Sixel]

Do you know what the definition of Militia is/was at the time the Constitution was written?  It has nothing to do with National Guard or Army Reserve.  Militia was defined as all able bodied men between 18 and 45.  Which means it was all civilians (actually white men).

 

Yes, I do.....why do you ask?

[Craig Arko]

I just want a concealed weapons permit for a tank.

 

"Is that a tank in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"

[JB_Iowa]

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a 3-year-old boy got ahold of a handgun from his mother's purse and fired just one shot that wounded both his parents.

Albuquerque police say the toddler apparently reached for an iPod but found the loaded weapon.

The bullet first struck his father in the buttock and then hit the shoulder of his mother, who is eight months pregnant. His 2-year-old sister was present but unhurt.

 

 

My goodness, I want to give these women some common sense.

[ashbury]

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a 3-year-old boy got ahold of a handgun from his mother's purse and fired just one shot that wounded both his parents.

Albuquerque police say the toddler apparently reached for an iPod but found the loaded weapon.

The bullet first struck his father in the buttock and then hit the shoulder of his mother, who is eight months pregnant. His 2-year-old sister was present but unhurt.

 

 

My goodness, I want to give these women some common sense.

Possibly this one just acquired hers.

[JB_Iowa]

Possibly this one just acquired hers.

 

Ond can only hope.

[glunn]

I think that Chief nailed this.  We live in a world where one crazy person with guns can kill a lot of people.  The founding fathers never considered that.  

 

Unfortunately, there are so many guns out there that it seems unlikely that bad people can be prevented from getting guns.  It seems to me that we need to better educate people, beginning in elementary school, regarding the dangers of guns.  

 

I also feel that guns and ammunition should be heavily taxed to account for the cost to society of guns, including the fact that we need to beef up mental health services to try to reduce the number of mentally ill people who use guns to hurt others.

 

On the other hand, I would not want to give up my shotguns, which are family heirlooms and which are used only to kill skeet.  Until bad people stop having guns, I like knowing that I can protect my home.  But as Chief noted, my shotguns would be useless against troops who have body armor, much less RPGs, drones etc.