Boy aged 11 charged with homicide in Nashville
Source: Reuters
Boy aged 11 charged with homicide in Nashville
By Tim Ghianni
NASHVILLE Sat Mar 7, 2015 7:50pm EST
(Reuters) - An 11-year-old Nashville boy faces homicide charges stemming from the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old friend, officials said on Saturday.
The boy told Metro Nashville detectives he was playing with a gun that he had found when the older boy was shot on Thursday, police said.
The shooting took place on the front porch of the victim's home, they said.
The victim ran to a neighbors house for help and was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he died, police said.
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/08/us-usa-tennessee-boy-idUSKBN0M400E20150308?rpc=401
Sancho
(9,070 posts)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 70s, 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 werent secured are out of control in our society. As such, heres what I now think ought to be the requirements to possess a gun. Im not debating the legal language, I just think its 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 its 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 learners 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 drivers 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.
alp227
(32,025 posts)for over half of this stuff? they feel that if the constitution says it's a right, no license should be necessary.
azureblue
(2,146 posts)you respond with why do they ignore the first phrase of the 2nd amendment ----- especially the "well regulated" part. Regulated refers not only to people in a militia but to the guns themselves...
Sancho
(9,070 posts)states already have carry permits and courts have already held they are legal. Legal arguments are not an issue if states wanted to have reasonable restrictions, they could. This is no more than a version of the current permits.
Clearly, it's possible to keep guns away from children, unstable people, and criminals. The only question is HOW to do it.
If you have a better way than a permit or license, then let me know. This license does not mention or restrict any particular kind of gun, does not require keeping a national database, does not require a background check at the point of sale.
Do you object to a 5 year old having their own loaded gun? Do you think the 2nd says that a person who was just arrested 5 times for threatening others should be able to buy any gun they want? How about someone who is saying they are going to commit suicide and take everyone else with them?
Obviously, states laws can and do restrict gun purchases and use now! All I'm suggesting is that we quit letting dangerous people have easy access to guns.
Unless you think our constitution allows anyone to do whatever they want, how would you keep some people away from guns?
Doctor_J
(36,392 posts)The gunsters almost always claim that we just need to enforce the laws we have. Until a tragedy like this, at which point they suddenly come up with a long list of additional laws that the nra will never allow to pass.
enough
(13,259 posts)not the responsibility of the child. Apparently, we would rather charge children with homicide than face the true responsibility.
JonLP24
(29,322 posts)I can't comment because there are a million things I don't know. Detectives say the boy said he was "playing with a gun". Like a toy as he didn't know it was loaded or lacks details. Homicide charges doesn't necessarily mean murder, either way -- very depressing.
marym625
(17,997 posts)To know he shouldn't be charged as an adult. That's horrific.
JonLP24
(29,322 posts)I just meant regarding judgments over the situation or the child. I don't know anything from from the parents, children, people in their lives or the set of circumstances that led to this. If it is an accidental shooting than it is even more horrific they're charging him as an adult, I know sometimes adults are cut a break when they do this. Sometimes, it is a cop @ home that does this since they usually have a firearm or Dick Cheney.
All I know is this very sad and a lot of lives were ruined, hopefully the child receives adequate representation because a common sense attorney should probably be able to talk this down to basically nothing hopefully.
marym625
(17,997 posts)I can't understand why any child that young can be charged as an adult. Make sure me sick. Physically ill
Chemisse
(30,813 posts)The owner of this gun should be charged. Why did he or she leave it out - loaded - where a child could find it?
This is outrageous. The 11-year-old is likely traumatized enough by the death of his friend - and the guilt - but to then be tossed in jail and charged with murder?!
mopinko
(70,106 posts)that it is not because of the gun.
marym625
(17,997 posts)With found guns.
Wtf have we become? This is horrible. Every single part of it.
ManiacJoe
(10,136 posts)With rights come responsibilities.
ileus
(15,396 posts)The rules aren't that hard to follow....rule #1 can be taught to 5yos.
Lars39
(26,109 posts)And periodically could mean several times a day depending on the child. Brushing teeth comes to mind. And a child sees a tooth brush probably every time they go into the bathroom at home. Guns? Not so much.