The two recent shootings by children, in Waterville (“Two-year-old boy shot in Waterville remains hospitalized,” Jan. 5) and West Bath (“Police: 2-year-old boy injures parents, self in West Bath shooting,” May 12), underscore the need to encourage more gun owners to safeguard their weapons in their own homes. This summer Maine legislators can do that by passing L.D. 759, and I strongly urge them to do so.

L.D. 759 will amend Maine’s existing child endangerment law to cover access to loaded firearms. The amended law would make it a Class D crime for a person who stores a loaded firearm or leaves untended a loaded firearm on their own property where a child could gain access to it. Under the new law, a gun owner can be held responsible if the child or teenager used the loaded firearm in a reckless or threatening manner, or in the commission of a crime, or if he or she discharged the weapon.

The child endangerment law exists because we recognize that young persons are often not capable of acting responsibly. There is no excuse or justification when firearm accidents occur among pre-school age children.

The parents or guardians who choose to have weapons in their homes must take the responsibility to store their weapons in a safe manner. Safe gun storage practices have been developed, and inexpensive locks are available. L.D. 759 will encourage gun owners to protect themselves, their families and others from the damage caused by misused firearms.

James Parmentier
Brunswick

Copy the Story Link