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In the Bronx today a 5-year-old boy allegedly, reportedly, etc., shot himself in his home. The father initially told police the boy was shot during a robbery, then admitted that he owned a firearm (otherwise unidentified as to type or caliber) that the boy shot himself with.

The boy is in the hospital. His father is charged with several felonies.

http://bronx.ny1.com/content/top_storie ... er-charged" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

Looks like Alec Baldwin has some competition in the "father of the year" award this year...

While I don't disagree that the dad in this story is extremely irresponsible, I'll ask you this: if the kid had burned himself with some charcoal lighter fluid and matches that the dad left laying in easy reach, would this be much of a "story"? Or is it only a "story" because it involves a firearm? Please note that I am not defending the dad's actions, just pointing out the work of our fine journalists...

K.Mooneyham wrote:Or is it only a "story" because it involves a firearm?

You are correct. Kids are injured or killed every day in car crashes, accidentally drowning in bathtubs, drinking bleach or drain cleaner, falling down staiirs, and they barely merit a 1-inch note in the newspaper.

The media has a weird hierarchy of what they consider newsworthy. Sexual crimes and scandals are at the top of the list. Everything involving animals—such as shark bites—gets more attention. Every aircraft incident gets more attention. Guns get more than other weapons.

The aspect that makes this story more newsworthy is that the father (if the reports and allegations are correct) had a firearm, contrary to the local law, and proceeded to "store" it in a manner where a 5-year-old child could get it and shoot himself, and then lied to the police.

I pray that the child survives. The father is going to go through legal torture, and the family will never be the same.

What can we learn from this?

- Jim

seamusTX wrote:

K.Mooneyham wrote:Or is it only a "story" because it involves a firearm?

You are correct. Kids are injured or killed every day in car crashes, accidentally drowning in bathtubs, drinking bleach or drain cleaner, falling down staiirs, and they barely merit a 1-inch note in the newspaper.

The media has a weird hierarchy of what they consider newsworthy. Sexual crimes and scandals are at the top of the list. Everything involving animals—such as shark bites—gets more attention. Every aircraft incident gets more attention. Guns get more than other weapons.

The aspect that makes this story more newsworthy is that the father (if the reports and allegations are correct) had a firearm, contrary to the local law, and proceeded to "store" it in a manner where a 5-year-old child could get it and shoot himself, and then lied to the police.

I pray that the child survives. The father is going to go through legal torture, and the family will never be the same.

What can we learn from this?

- Jim

I agree with both of these posts. How many kids a day suffer fatalities and serious injuries stemming from the actions by irresponsible adults that involve no guns? For instance, how many crack babies are born in that cesspool every day?

If we only made crack illegal ... oh, wait.

- Jim

seamusTX wrote:What can we learn from this?

Be glad I don't live in New York?






Be grateful to live in Texas and be grateful I had the foresight to keep my children safe.

Over 8 million people live in New York City. They have a their reasons to live there.

The city council has 51 members. Subtract the mayor, and it's still over 8 million people who aren't idiots.

Aside from the local legal problems, the moral price of having one's child injured this way is beyond words.

- Jim

I saw nothing in the article about crack. A young boy is dead, and the yuking up and self righteousness by some in this thread is, well., unwarranted to say the least.

The child probably will recover. The father piled up quite a heap of stories.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bro ... -1.1270955" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

Glad the child will live! Sorry the dad was not as careful as he should have been.

Heaven forbid had the father left a 16-oz Slurpee in a styrofoam cup out for the child to drink...

Well, it ain't just NY:

4-year-old killed himself with dad's gun in N. Houston

Pratt faces charges of endangering a child and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, said Houston Police Department spokesman John Cannon. Officers found marijuana, crack cocaine, scales and other equipment used to sell drugs in the apartment.

Not saying it makes a 4 year-old's death any less tragic, but the Dad was a felon in possession of a stolen gun, dealing drugs from his apartment.

Very sad story. Hope the child recovers so he can at least visit his father in jail a couple times a month for the next ten years.
Of course if the father becomes a gun control spokesperson he may just get a slap on the wrist.