Pro gun activist shot by 4 YO son (Florida, duh)

[Miss Phryne Fisher]

Does one have to die to qualify for a Darwin award?

[elleblue]

So apparently, just hours before this incident, she bragged on Facebook that her four year old son "gets jacked up to target shoot". link

The gun wasn't some bright shiny new object for her child.  

[granthamite]

I've grown so cynical about this because nothing ever changes. It wouldn't surprise me if she doesn't get charged with anything, because... 'Merica!

[mbcdefg]

Mar 9, 2016 14:50:54 GMT -5 stephogirl said:

Stories like this are why I always take the phrase "responsible gun owner" with a serious grain of salt.

I recently got into a long comments war on Pinterest over one of those sexist "threaten my daughter's prom date with a shotgun" staged photos.

I brought up the point that a "responsible gun owner" wouldn't be using a gun as a toy/photo op and it should be unloaded and locked up when not in use. Some dipshit kept arguing with me that the dad is a responsible gun owner because the gun wasn't pointed directly at the boy and because it "probably" wasn't loaded. And "responsible gun owners" keep loaded guns in their unlocked nightstands because how else are they going to play Rambo/Mr. Big Dick and defend their family if a robber happens to break into the house? 

[stephogirl]

Mar 9, 2016 15:29:57 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

Mar 9, 2016 14:50:54 GMT -5 stephogirl said:

Stories like this are why I always take the phrase "responsible gun owner" with a serious grain of salt.

I recently got into a long comments war on Pinterest over one of those sexist "threaten my daughter's prom date with a shotgun" staged photos.

I brought up the point that a "responsible gun owner" wouldn't be using a gun as a toy/photo op and it should be unloaded and locked up when not in use. Some dipshit kept arguing with me that the dad is a responsible gun owner because the gun wasn't pointed directly at the boy and because it "probably" wasn't loaded. And "responsible gun owners" keep loaded guns in their unlocked nightstands because how else are they going to play Rambo/Mr. Big Dick and defend their family if a robber happens to break into the house? 

Rational, logical thoughts! Not something often seen in the comments section...

[debatethis]

Mar 9, 2016 15:16:07 GMT -5 Miss Phryne Fisher said:

Does one have to die to qualify for a Darwin award?

She's a shoe-in for honorable mention.

[AJL]

Can she be brought up on charges? Reckless endangerment of a child or something? Because she should! He could have killed himself. She needs to face criminal action.

[NewOrleans]

um, why is she considered an activist? Does all she do is post about guns on Facebook? If so, that is slacktivist. Either way, this is garbage. I guess I'm glad her kid didn't kill her for his sake, although the kid might be safer in the future if he had.

[DarcyLongfellow]

What an idiot. And that poor little boy.

Unfortunately, I highly doubt she will change her rabid pro-gun stance.

She should absolutely be charged with child endangerment. For the gun within reach and for not buckling him in. I was going to say for using a booster instead of a carseat, but I just double checked the law and only kids 3 and under are required to use a car seat (4 and 5 year olds can legally be in a booster).

[sushi]

This Floridian is offended at the assumptions of Floridians.

Lol

See why I left as soon as I could?

[secretlyevil]

Oh good, I'm happy I don't have to post this article.

[mcfelix]

Can't wait to see how the pro-gun folks will rationalize this.

There is nothing remotely rational about this!!!!! I do not understand why people feel that they need a gun to protect their family. Does not compute.

[leeba25]

Mar 9, 2016 19:27:12 GMT -5 mcfelix said:

Can't wait to see how the pro-gun folks will rationalize this.

There is nothing remotely rational about this!!!!! I do not understand why people feel that they need a gun to protect their family. Does not compute.

Per someone on my FB, we shouldn't let "a few bad apples ruin the whole bunch." Also, guns being carried around town greatly reduce crime and crazies shooting people up. So, it didn't resonate at all, apparently. 

[ksun]

I am going to (stupidly) give her the benefit of the doubt and think that her son took off his seatbelt after it happened to try to help mom. Either way, I'm pretty against 4 year olds being in booster seats. They should still be in 5pt harnesses.

But yeah, karma.

[chittybangbang]

Update: www.news4jax.com/news/florida/putnam-county/deputies-to-update-case-mom-shot-by-4-year-old

The Sheriffs office is recommending charges of unsafe storage of a firearm.

Also did we discuss that she was arrested two years ago for grand theft?

"According to reports, she was detained on April 4, 2013, by security guards at the Dillard's department store at the Avenues, who reported seeing her stuffing $455 worth of children's clothes into her purse and hiding the bag in a child's stroller."

[WanderingWinoZ]

Mar 23, 2016 7:22:36 GMT -5 chittybangbang said:

Update: www.news4jax.com/news/florida/putnam-county/deputies-to-update-case-mom-shot-by-4-year-old

The Sheriffs office is recommending charges of unsafe storage of a firearm.

Also did we discuss that she was arrested two years ago for grand theft?

"According to reports, she was detained on April 4, 2013, by security guards at the Dillard's department store at the Avenues, who reported seeing her stuffing $455 worth of children's clothes into her purse and hiding the bag in a child's stroller."

i would like to see these parents with These guns charged child endangerment....

And Lolz an he theft.

[nikki25]

I also don't understand how none of these people/parents are ever fucking charged with child endangerment. Parents are arrested for allowing their children to walk to a park but allowing them access to a gun...meh....Unbelievable.

[marriedfilingjoint]

I'd also like to hear about her condition and recovery. Another thing these gun freaks don't seem to understand is if you survive a shooting, that's not the end of it. She may have permanent organ damage that she will have to deal with for the rest of her life. I can't really muster any sympathy for her, but if other gun owners who follow her approach to gun safety can finally see some consequences they can relate to, maybe it will finally register for them.

Oh, and honey, your child unbuckling himself and crawling around the backseat is a dead giveaway that you put him in a booster too soon. If you can afford guns and ammo and a horse, you can afford a Britax Frontier. HTH.

[katietornado]

Mar 23, 2016 12:42:34 GMT -5 marriedfilingjoint said:

I'd also like to hear about her condition and recovery. Another thing these gun freaks don't seem to understand is if you survive a shooting, that's not the end of it. She may have permanent organ damage that she will have to deal with for the rest of her life. I can't really muster any sympathy for her, but if other gun owners who follow her approach to gun safety can finally see some consequences they can relate to, maybe it will finally register for them.

Oh, and honey, your child unbuckling himself and crawling around the backseat is a dead giveaway that you put him in a booster too soon. If you can afford guns and ammo and a horse, you can afford a Britax Frontier. HTH.

LOL I mean if she's stealing $500 worth of children's clothing, perhaps she *can't* afford a Britax Frontier.

[downtoearth]

Mar 23, 2016 10:04:27 GMT -5 nikki25 said:

I also don't understand how none of these people/parents are ever fucking charged with child endangerment. Parents are arrested for allowing their children to walk to a park but allowing them access to a gun...meh....Unbelievable.

At least the update said that CPS is involved and the child is with relatives, I assume during their investigation.

The Florida Department of Children and Families also is investigating the incident. The boy is with relatives.

But I don't know if the court can do child endangerment charges without a CPS investigation, can they?

[aurora]

Mar 23, 2016 12:48:10 GMT -5 katietornado said:

Mar 23, 2016 12:42:34 GMT -5 marriedfilingjoint said:

I'd also like to hear about her condition and recovery. Another thing these gun freaks don't seem to understand is if you survive a shooting, that's not the end of it. She may have permanent organ damage that she will have to deal with for the rest of her life. I can't really muster any sympathy for her, but if other gun owners who follow her approach to gun safety can finally see some consequences they can relate to, maybe it will finally register for them.

Oh, and honey, your child unbuckling himself and crawling around the backseat is a dead giveaway that you put him in a booster too soon. If you can afford guns and ammo and a horse, you can afford a Britax Frontier. HTH.

LOL I mean if she's stealing $500 worth of children's clothing, perhaps she *can't* afford a Britax Frontier.

Even worse if she can't afford to clothe her child because she's spent all her $ on guns.

[notsocreepylurker]

I love how the NRA types are all Don't judge all of us based on a few bad people who are negligent with guns.

Yet, we're supposed to judge all Muslims/Black People/Brown People/"Others" based on the actions of a few of their bad people.

[penguingrrl]

Mar 23, 2016 12:42:34 GMT -5 marriedfilingjoint said:

I'd also like to hear about her condition and recovery. Another thing these gun freaks don't seem to understand is if you survive a shooting, that's not the end of it. She may have permanent organ damage that she will have to deal with for the rest of her life. I can't really muster any sympathy for her, but if other gun owners who follow her approach to gun safety can finally see some consequences they can relate to, maybe it will finally register for them.

Oh, and honey, your child unbuckling himself and crawling around the backseat is a dead giveaway that you put him in a booster too soon. If you can afford guns and ammo and a horse, you can afford a Britax Frontier. HTH.

No need to spring for a frontier even. The evenflo sureride has top harness slots that are nearly the same height and is around $100. if you can afford a gun and ammo you can certainly afford basic safety equipment for your child.

[teatimefor2]

My heart breaks for that child. He's going to need therapy. Shame on her on so many levels; armed gun, child not properly restrained, stealing and general dimness.

[nikki25]

Mar 23, 2016 13:47:24 GMT -5 downtoearth said:

Mar 23, 2016 10:04:27 GMT -5 nikki25 said:

I also don't understand how none of these people/parents are ever fucking charged with child endangerment. Parents are arrested for allowing their children to walk to a park but allowing them access to a gun...meh....Unbelievable.

At least the update said that CPS is involved and the child is with relatives, I assume during their investigation.

The Florida Department of Children and Families also is investigating the incident. The boy is with relatives.

But I don't know if the court can do child endangerment charges without a CPS investigation, can they?

They absolutely can and should. Having a loaded weapon around is the bare minimum of chargeS IMO.

[marriedfilingjoint]

Mar 23, 2016 23:16:51 GMT -5 Dig Ophelia said:

Mar 23, 2016 12:42:34 GMT -5 marriedfilingjoint said:

I'd also like to hear about her condition and recovery. Another thing these gun freaks don't seem to understand is if you survive a shooting, that's not the end of it. She may have permanent organ damage that she will have to deal with for the rest of her life. I can't really muster any sympathy for her, but if other gun owners who follow her approach to gun safety can finally see some consequences they can relate to, maybe it will finally register for them.

Oh, and honey, your child unbuckling himself and crawling around the backseat is a dead giveaway that you put him in a booster too soon. If you can afford guns and ammo and a horse, you can afford a Britax Frontier. HTH.

I understand your point and I agree with it, but - and maybe I am generalizing here - I really don't think these NRA types have access to much empathy, introspection, or rational thinking.  If they did, they would have utilized those things by now, I'd hope.  I think these people run on a lot of fight/flight instinct and layered paranoia.  Nothing's going to penetrate that.   

From reading the comments on FB, I fear you are correct. Twenty years ago, the NRA crowd would be saying "she doesn't represent us or what we stand for, she shouldn't have guns." That is not the case currently. I mean, I'm sure a few people are saying that, but the majority of comments are the same tired arguments regurgitated over and over.

[Velvetshady]

Seems the right place to drop this...

[Velvetshady]

Mar 24, 2016 8:42:16 GMT -5 marriedfilingjoint said:

Mar 23, 2016 23:16:51 GMT -5 Dig Ophelia said:

I understand your point and I agree with it, but - and maybe I am generalizing here - I really don't think these NRA types have access to much empathy, introspection, or rational thinking.  If they did, they would have utilized those things by now, I'd hope.  I think these people run on a lot of fight/flight instinct and layered paranoia.  Nothing's going to penetrate that.   

From reading the comments on FB, I fear you are correct. Twenty years ago, the NRA crowd would be saying "she doesn't represent us or what we stand for, she shouldn't have guns." That is not the case currently. I mean, I'm sure a few people are saying that, but the majority of comments are the same tired arguments regurgitated over and over.

From my personal experience, this is really true. My DH grew up with guns as a major part of his life, his family was poor enough that the meat they got hunting during the season was their only meat source for the winter/spring (and they mostly fished for protein during the summer/fall). His older brother became a military sharpshooter and firearms trainer. I know that DH, his dad, and brother have all gone from being proud NRA members to disavowing the organization in the last 10-20 years. Because they *are* responsible gun owners and think this crap is insane. 


(And my FIL is banging his head against the wall with you in NC today.)

[marriedfilingjoint]

Mar 24, 2016 14:15:22 GMT -5 Velvetshady said:

Mar 24, 2016 8:42:16 GMT -5 marriedfilingjoint said:

From reading the comments on FB, I fear you are correct. Twenty years ago, the NRA crowd would be saying "she doesn't represent us or what we stand for, she shouldn't have guns." That is not the case currently. I mean, I'm sure a few people are saying that, but the majority of comments are the same tired arguments regurgitated over and over.

From my personal experience, this is really true. My DH grew up with guns as a major part of his life, his family was poor enough that the meat they got hunting during the season was their only meat source for the winter/spring (and they mostly fished for protein during the summer/fall). His older brother became a military sharpshooter and firearms trainer. I know that DH, his dad, and brother have all gone from being proud NRA members to disavowing the organization in the last 10-20 years. Because they *are* responsible gun owners and think this crap is insane. 


(And my FIL is banging his head against the wall with you in NC today.)

So you know exactly what I'm talking about. My father hunted and he NEVER had guns out of their safe unless they were in use. Ammo was stored separately. Treat every gun like it's loaded. Don't point a gun at anything you don't intend to shoot. But now everyone thinks this is the Wild West and what's the point in having a gun if it's not loaded and ready to shoot some bad guys? Actually my dad is being a total hypocrite right now and is following these nuts right off the cliff and I really want to point out that they are all doing everything with guns that he told me to NEVER do with guns.

[irishbride2]

Mar 9, 2016 13:02:04 GMT -5 downtoearth said:

I hope she recovers, but we should all write that State AG office to request charges for child endangerment. Unbuckled or able to unbuckle AND in arms reach of a loaded gun is child endangerment! IMO she should not be able to keep her kids and her gun rights - one or the other for her - I'd even let her pick.

Our state AG is a moron