A seven-year old in Arizona brought guns and ammunition to school the other day. The case is still being investigated but it looks like the only person who is going to get punished is the seven year old. Yes, the boy is getting the book thrown at him while the parents, apparently, are going to walk away scot free. As what happened is still under investigation, this may be the correct decision.

No matter how the investigation turns out this is a troubling incident because is yet another incident of a child getting a gun. If it turns out to be the parent’s unsecured gun then I think the parents need to explain how their child was able to get the gun, smuggled it into his backpack and bring it to school. They are both responsible for the gun and for the child. If they were negligent, they should be prosecuted. If the child obtained the gun from another person other than his parents, then that person is responsible. Rights carry with them responsibilities. If adults are not upholding their responsibilities to the community, then the law must intercede.

I find situations where underage children obtain guns and then accidentally kill themselves or someone else the most unforgivable of crimes. Of course, it is also devastatingly sad. Nobody wanted this to happen. Because of loss of a child is so horrible, there is this tendency to forgive the adult involved because they have suffered enough. What good is sending them to jail going to do when they are already beating themselves up worse than any court can ever do. I get that. I just don’t know what to do then. If parents can’t secure their guns to protect their own children, what can we, as a society, do to encourage them. Right now, all I have is a stiff fine and/or a jail sentence.

But let us also be clear, a child getting a gun is not an accident, it is negligence and criminal negligence needs to be addressed, if for no other reason it is an example for other adults with unsecured guns and children.