The area isn't one I'd associate with 'gun culture'. But then, gun culture has become so pervasive anymore, who knows? But it also occurred to me it could have easily been another kid he knew.

I feel bad for the family, even if it was a family member that enabled this tragedy.

through the transition from child to man. Such tiny things like a bad grade or somebody with logo shoes making fun of his no-name shoes loom large in his mind.

With today's social media things can get so bad so fast.

If you have a gun and have a child or even know someone with a child for God's sake get a safe and lock the damn thing up.

Even if one takes precautions, it only takes one badly timed slip.

Overall I am supportive of some level of private gun ownership. But sheesh, there need to be some controls and boundaries, because we don't want to keep losing kids like this to all-too-common human error.

People Control, Not Gun Control

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 70’s, 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 weren’t secured are out of control in our society. As such, here’s what I now think ought to be the requirements to possess a gun. I’m not debating the legal language, I just think it’s 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 it’s 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 learner’s 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 circumstances beyond recreational shooting (security guard, etc.).
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 driver’s 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.

and hopefully most of them will be implemented at the state and city levels as the thinking public becomes more aware of the gun problem on our streets.

Another one, appears a 'rush to judgement' on part of the victim, since his girlfriend whom he accidentally shot while gun playing, survived:

MINNEAPOLIS March 10, 2015 -- Police in Minneapolis say a teenage boy killed himself after he accidentally shot his girlfriend in the face and chest, CBS Minnesota reports.
The Anoka County sheriff's office say 15-year-old Alantae Arnold shot his 14-year-old girlfriend with a handgun around 4 p.m. in an apartment building...
He then ran about 250 feet to a nearby charter school parking lot and shot himself in the head.
The 14-year-old victim was found with flesh wounds, but she was alert and breathing and gave investigators information that led to their finding the body of the boy. She is expected to be okay."She was holding a rag against her neck, and there were massive amounts of blood all over her clothes,"
girl later told detectives that Arnold was "playing" with the handgun when he accidentally shot her, and she doesn't believe the shooting was intentional. Police say it's not clear why the boy then chose to commit suicide.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/teen-kills-himself-after-accidentally-shooting-girlfriend-in-minnesota/