General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIllinois woman shot, critically wounded by 3-year-old daughter who found gun in car
The bullet penetrated the car seat and struck the 21-year-old mom in the shoulder at a Merrillville strip mall Tuesday afternoon, police said.
The woman is believed to be at least six weeks pregnant, according to the Times of Northwest Indiana.
Some witnesses heard the lone gunshot while others heard the woman's pained screams and found her stumbling out of the car with blood pouring out of her, WFQX-TV reported.
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Zirkle said employees took the womans daughter and 1-year-old son inside the store to keep them away from the crime scene.
Police said the father stashed the 9mm handgun in the center console to go inside the secondhand clothing store.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/toddler-shoots-critically-wounds-pregnant-mom-finding-gun-article-1.3940627
Sancho
(9,070 posts)This is my generic response to gun threads where people are shot and killed by the dumb or criminal possession of guns. For the record, I grew up in the South and on military bases. I was taught about firearms as a child, and I grew up hunting, was a member of the NRA, and I still own guns. In the 70s, I dropped out of the NRA because they become more radical and less interested in safety and training. Some personal experiences where people I know were involved in shootings caused me to realize that anyone could obtain and posses a gun no matter how illogical it was for them to have a gun. Also, easy access to more powerful guns, guns in the hands of children, and guns that werent secured are out of control in our society. As such, heres what I now think ought to be the requirements to possess a gun. Im not debating the legal language, I just think its the reasonable way to stop the shootings. Notice, none of this restricts the type of guns sold. This is aimed at the people who shoot others, because its clear that they should never have had a gun.
1.) Anyone in possession of a gun (whether they own it or not) should have a regularly renewed license. If you want to call it a permit, certificate, or something else that's fine.
2.) To get a license, you should have a background check, and be examined by a professional for emotional and mental stability appropriate for gun possession. It might be appropriate to require that examination to be accompanied by references from family, friends, employers, etc. This check is not to subject you to a mental health diagnosis, just check on your superficial and apparent gun-worthyness.
3.) To get the license, you should be required to take a safety course and pass a test appropriate to the type of gun you want to use.
4.) To get a license, you should be over 21. Under 21, you could only use a gun under direct supervision of a licensed person and after obtaining a learners license. Your license might be restricted if you have children or criminals or other unsafe people living in your home. (If you want to argue 18 or 25 or some other age, fine. 21 makes sense to me.)
5.) If you possess a gun, you would have to carry a liability insurance policy specifically for gun ownership - and likely you would have to provide proof of appropriate storage, security, and whatever statistical reasons that emerge that would drive the costs and ability to get insurance.
6.) You could not purchase a gun or ammunition without a license, and purchases would have a waiting period.
7.) If you possess a gun without a license, you go to jail, the gun is impounded, and a judge will have to let you go (just like a DUI).
8.) No one should carry an unsecured gun (except in a locked case, unloaded) when outside of home. Guns should be secure when transporting to a shooting event without demonstrating a special need. Their license should indicate training and special carry circumstances beyond recreational shooting (security guard, etc.). If you are carrying your gun while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you lose your gun and license.
9.) If you buy, sell, give away, or inherit a gun, your license information should be recorded.
10.) If you accidentally discharge your gun, commit a crime, get referred by a mental health professional, are served a restraining order, etc., you should lose your license and guns until reinstated by a serious relicensing process.
Most of you know that a license is no big deal. Besides a drivers license you need a license to fish, operate a boat, or many other activities. I realize these differ by state, but that is not a reason to let anyone without a bit of sense pack a semiautomatic weapon in public, on the roads, and in schools. I think we need to make it much harder for some people to have guns.
For those who want to argue legality, please reference: The Second Amendment: A Biography by Michael Waldman
SoCalMusicLover
(3,194 posts)So, you an NRA supporter? Then you are the problem, and blood is on your hands.
The good 'ol 2nd Amendment. What would our culture do without it's precious?
Sancho
(9,070 posts)no, I'm not supporting the NRA.
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,857 posts)Maybe the gun apologists think this is acceptable, but I don't. Nor do sensible, thinking, people. This is just one more in the endless stream of examples of people who think that having a loaded gun around at all times is just fine.
Squinch
(50,949 posts)ehrnst
(32,640 posts)He was shopping for clothing in a store at the time.
SoCalMusicLover
(3,194 posts)He made an honest mistake. Could have happened to anyone.
Well, not me, since I don't own a gun. But any gun humper.
alphafemale
(18,497 posts)Must not be white.
Freethinker65
(10,021 posts)This could and should have been prevented.
SFnomad
(3,473 posts)Squinch
(50,949 posts)Hoyt
(54,770 posts)of America.
3Hotdogs
(12,378 posts)Hoyt
(54,770 posts)dont look at it that way.
More evidence guns are more likely to kill a family member than to he used in real self defense.
Kirk Lover
(3,608 posts)MyNameGoesHere
(7,638 posts)They're here!
struggle4progress
(118,282 posts)This message brought to you as a public service by America's firearms manufacturers and by your many friends and neighbors at Be Afraid! Be Very Very Afraid!