3-year old accidently shoots 9-year old sister in the head

[forum_browser]

If there's no investigation to ensure that a child's death is indeed accidental, that's a problem. But if it is an accident by a loving but forgetful parent, I doubt fear of prosecution would have made a difference.

Pools are going to be more common in Florida than in other states. They're also going to be filled with water for a greater portion of the year than they would be in colder parts of the country. It's therefore not a surprise that there will be more drownings in Florida than in lots of other places. Of course people should secure their pools from curious children, but even so, where there are more pools, there will be more pool-related accidents.

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by forum_browser

If there's no investigation to ensure that a child's death is indeed accidental, that's a problem. But if it is an accident by a loving but forgetful parent, I doubt fear of prosecution would have made a difference.

Pools are going to be more common in Florida than in other states. They're also going to be filled with water for a greater portion of the year than they would be in colder parts of the country. It's therefore not a surprise that there will be more drownings in Florida than in lots of other places. Of course people should secure their pools from curious children, but even so, where there are more pools, there will be more pool-related accidents.

You seem to be missing the point that it's not just about this case. It shows others(at least in Alabama which has a very high rate involving children and guns) that it's OK to leave guns laying around, and there are no legal consequences in doing so.

Yes, the pain they have inflicted on themselves and their family assuming they have a conscious is horrific, but that doesn't mean you should get a pass.

I realize pools are more common in FL, I lived there for awhile. There were easily a dozen or so child drownings just in the area I was in within a 2 year period. I was amazed at not only how frequently it happened but it just brushed aside as an "accident" VERY QUICKLY.

I can remember a couple of them where something seemed off.

A child in FL just a few months ago, sitting in the parents car alone reached into the glove compartment, found a loaded gun and shot and killed himself. Again, no charges.

I don't consider people who leave loaded guns laying around knowing there are children in the house as loving parents or grandparents. They're neglectful at best.

Yes, the pain they have inflicted on themselves and their family assuming they have a conscious is horrific, but that doesn't mean you should get a pass.

Does someone who drives drunk and kills people, get a pass because they most likely feel bad about what they did? They didn't intend to intentionally kill anyone? How come they just can't get off with feeling bad?

Your logic is skewed.

[forum_browser]

Drunk drivers knowingly break the law when they drive with blood alcohol content above the legal limit. If laws about securing guns, fencing in pools or supervising children are violated, there is similar culpability. I'd say that leaving a toddler alone in a car with a gun falls into that category. But if there's simple forgetfulness or miscommunication between adults as to the presence of firearms, I don't think prosecution is in order, unless a gun storage requirement wasn't followed.