Accident Involving 4-Year-Old Boy Brings Child Gun Safety Issues To The Fore

Boy Seriously Injured While Playing With Gun In Milwaukee, Remains In Grave Condition

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Gun control advocates in Milwaukee say the accidental shooting of a four year old boy on Wednesday highlights the need to keep guns out of the hands of children.

Police say it appears the boy shot himself while playing with a gun he found in his house. He remains in grave condition at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin while doctors wait for the swelling on his brain to go down.

At a vigil for recent homicide victims in the city on Thursday, Marna Winbush of the group Mothers Against Gun Violence said gun owners have a responsibility to keep their guns out of reach of children.

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“And I know they need them close to them because they may not be able to get to them,” said Winbush. “But our kids’ lives are more important.”

Prayers for stricter gun control were offered at the vigil by Sister Rose Steitz. She singled out the National Rifle Association (NRA) as being responsible for promoting a gun culture that makes such accidents more likely.

“Enlighten our leaders our elected officials and all of those who could turn things around – and very especially for those people in the NRA who continue to hold America hostage to their gun thinking,” said Steitz.

NRA officials say they are trying to teach children gun safety. They point to the to the curriculum materials they provide for schools that feature a cartoon character called Eddie Eagle.

Two of the nine gun homicides in Milwaukee this year were the result of people playing with a gun they thought was unloaded.

You can view the NRA’s Eddie the Eagle gun safety video below: