All firearms are to be stored in securely locked areas when not in use or in the hands of the owner. Failure to do that is a felony.

These are no more considered "inconveniences" than the requirement that your car's brakes get regularly inspected is an inconvenience.

Problem solved.

About guns not killing people, how more guns create a more civil society, and on and on.

But reality begs to differ. And this time the result was a sad and tragic act that could have been completely avoided.

It is children who get sacrificed on the altar of second amendment purity. No one in the NRA cares about the collateral damage to the innocents as long as money from paranoid and cowardly people continues to fill its coffers.

Any adult that allows his weapon into the hand of a child by not securing it should be criminally charged.

Imagine the blase attitude toward guns required for somebody to do such a thing.

And, clearly, the weapon was then currently LOADED, unless we are to believe that the 3 year old loaded the weapon before firing it. So, a grown man leaves a loaded firearm in a backpack, just, y'know, sitting around. In a room where a three year old stays.

Of course, this will be written off as his personal irresponsibility - which it surely is - but isn't this also a consequence of putting guns on the same conceptual plane as any other tool? That one could even imagine doing such a thing tells us all we need to know about the gunner shitheads.

Another point of evidence for why my kids are not allowed anywhere near gunner households if I know them to be so. I don't trust a single gunner in America not to be lazy and careless with their weapons, even unto the point of MY child being accidentally killed because of their little hobby.

When I think of the safety precautions we began to take as we anticipated the birth of our first child! Turned down the temp on the hot water heater, safety plugs for all electrical outlets, medicine and all potentially poisonous cleaning supplies, alcohol etc. safely away, gates to prevent falls down stairs and probably lots more I can't think of at the moment. And still he took a tumble down a flight of stairs, ate an entire bottle of children's vitamins w/iron. Takes no time at all for bad stuff to happen even when you are not careless.

Once they start toddling they get into trouble in seconds. Why, why, why do gun owners think their kids won't find the gun sitting in the backpack? Maybe in addition to background checks to own a gun, we should have them before people reproduce!

Every time I read one of these stories I get angrier.

If it is not a criminal act to leave a loaded gun unsecured, then should the child's death be considered a suicide?

Anyone who leaves any weapon available which could include knives and martial arts paraphernalia as well as loaded guns should be charged with a crime if this results in an injury or death. I think it would probably be manslaughter, but would prefer first degree murder since there must have been intent to do harm if there is certainly the potential for death.

as to not be significant.

Explain to me again about responsible gun owners.

Explain to me again why we can't just confiscate all guns. And before you tell me THAT'S not possible, think about your three year old nephew. Is HIS life worth it? And if not, why not?

Should be required to keep weapons locked up around children. Like child safety seats it's a minor requirement that would save thousands of children every year.

It's locked up at my parent's house.

My kids are 2 and 4 and I don't at all feel safe with a gun in my house. My kids get into everything.