WA: Infant shoots self with father's service piece

[seamusTX]

In Battle Ground, Washington (Vancouver exurb), Tuesday, the 3-year-old son of a sheriff's deputy reportedly shot himself in the head with his father's service piece (not identified as pistol or revolver).

The officer was home at the time.

Agency policy requires officers to lock up their weapons when not in use, and previously provided officers with lock boxes.

The child's condition is not reported.

http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/sep/ ... fs-deputy/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.kptv.com/news/25018894/detail.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Probably prayers are in order for the child and his family, especially the father.

- Jim

[Dave2]

The KPTV link says "wounded" and "injured", so I guess the good news is that the poor kid didn't die at the scene. Both articles are short on the details, though.

[seamusTX]

The newspaper article says "graze wound," but also that the child was unconscious.

I imagine the muzzle blast of a centerfire handgun at point-blank range could cause a concussion or physiological shock. I would be surprised if the child did not have burns.

- Jim

[Dave2]

Both articles have been updated:

A sheriff's deputy's 3-year-old son died after he accidentally shot himself in the head late Tuesday night at a Battle Ground home, police said.

[OldCannon]

Yeah, likely muzzle blast concussive effects. I've been on the wrong side of the gun during close gunfire (tactical live fire training), and even from 3 meters away, the stacatto "pounding" you get can be felt into the bones, esp on larger calibers. A blast from < 12" away would almost certainly cause burns and blunt-trauma skin breaks/severe contusions.

It's just 3 simple rules, people. 3. simple. rules. There's no reason this should EVER happen.

[Oldgringo]

Did this, or something like it, happen in Tyler, TX today?

[seamusTX]

Yep. Woman brought 2-year-old grandson to work at a place called the Sportsman Club. Infant found an unattended loaded pistol and shot himself. Critical condition.

http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=13161763" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm just going to cut loose here. People who leave loaded firearms lying around like bowls of Thin Mints are asking for something like this to happen, and they frequently get it.

I don't post 9/10 of the stories of this type that I see—only the most egregious and pathetic.

- Jim

[WildBill]

These are both very sad stories. It's been a while since I was around a two-year-old, but I would have never thought that a child that age would have the strength to operate a gun. Obviously I was wrong. Children are very curious and will play with anything. To them, the whole world is new and unexplored. They have no concept of danger. I hope that the message gets out to all gun owners with young children.
RIP, babies.

[Oldgringo]

Yep. Woman brought 2-year-old grandson to work at a place called the Sportsman Club. Infant found an unattended loaded pistol and shot himself. Critical condition.

http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=13161763" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm just going to cut loose here. People who leave loaded firearms lying around like bowls of Thin Mints are asking for something like this to happen, and they frequently get it.

I don't post 9/10 of the stories of this type that I see—only the most egregious and pathetic.

- Jim

Pity. If I heard the CH 19 sound bite correctly, the 36 year old grandmother got distracted by something...

FWIW, I have loaded handguns lying around...like I may need then. OTOH, we do not have ANY kids visiting and/or hanging around...like I don't need them.

[seamusTX]

If I heard the CH 19 sound bite correctly, the ... grandmother got distracted by something...

Many needless deaths start out that way. The responsible adult is distracted and the infant drowns, pulls a pot of boiling water down on himself, drinks drain cleaner, wanders into traffic, or finds a loaded handgun.

I think we have ample evidence that children as young as two can pull the trigger on a handgun.

Also they can climb better than anyone can believe until they've seen it.

- Jim

[NOS]

If I heard the CH 19 sound bite correctly, the ... grandmother got distracted by something...

Many needless deaths start out that way. The responsible adult is distracted and the infant drowns, pulls a pot of boiling water down on himself, drinks drain cleaner, wanders into traffic, or finds a loaded handgun.

I think we have ample evidence that children as young as two can pull the trigger on a handgun.

Also they can climb better than anyone can believe until they've seen it.

- Jim

It all starts with the "responsible" adult in the situation. If the adult isn't paying attention, anything can happen. It's sad to hear of children dying because of lack of supervision and judgment from someone responsible for the child's safety. I've had guns around my house since before my daughter was born (she's 14 now), but there has never been a time when they weren't properly locked away. As adults we all sometimes make mistakes when it comes to our children, but an unsecured gun is one mistake that won't happen on my watch. I just wish that these folks had gotten the memo...
It's just so sad that the lesson was learned this way.
I pray for the children and their families, that they find peace in this horrible time.

[74novaman]

I currently leave guns out because its only myself and my wife in the house. When we have kids, everything not on my person will be secured in a safe. These are tragic, and can be avoided. Either on your person, or locked up if you've got kids around. Its that easy.