The Chester County, Pennsylvania District Attorney announced this week that he has decided not to file any charges in the shooting death of 11-year-old Katherine Urban last December.
"Katherine was killed as a result of an accidental shooting by her 14-year-old brother," said the D.A., "Although the exact circumstances under which that shooting took place are a little unclear, the accidental nature of the shooting is not."
According to the D.A., Katherine's parents had trained the 14-year-old to use the handgun in emergencies. "While the boy's father had instructed the child on how to use the firearm properly the parents did not intend for the boy to use the firearm in his father's absence, nor did they tell the boy where the gun was located," he said, "Instead, the child found it on his own."
The gun was kept, loaded and unlocked, in a drawer in the parents' bedroom, inside a cigar box, covered with clothing.
The D.A. added that "this child is simply fascinated by guns" and that the parents were aware their son had a fascination with guns and should have anticipated possible danger.
Ohh shoot.
Over at New Trajectory, a number of pro-gun extremists have claimed that allowing their children to freely handle their weapons dispels their curiosity. Oh, how they underestimate children's impetuous behavior and lack of maturity, with tragic consequences!
ReplyDeleteThis is a poster case for Child Access Prevention laws.