Girl, 2, shoots herself with gun at home

[philw]

http://www.news.com.au/world/girl-2-shoots-herself-with-gun-at-home/story-e6frfkyi-1225846347475

Girl finds loaded gun next to mum's bed
Two other handguns and AK-47 also found
Mother's boyfriend charged with child neglect
A TWO-year-old girl is in critical condition after accidentally shooting herself in the stomach.

The incident took place after McKenzie Smith found the gun on the nightstand next to her mother's bed in Port Richey, Florida, myFOXtampabay.com reports.

The boyfriend of her mother, 22-year old Ralph Ronzino, has been arrested for the accident.

Her mother Jessica Smith, 22, was home at the time but Ronzino, the owner of the weapon, was at the store when it went off.

Ronzino was arrested and charged with child neglect by culpable negligence. He was also charged with possession of marijuana.

Local sheriff spokesman Kevin Doll said Ronzino left the handgun on the nightstand after hearing a gun shot outside the house.

Deputies also confiscated two other handguns and an AK-47 from the home, which they say were also "easily accessible" to the child.

It is not clear whether Ronzino lives at same address as the mother and daughter, but in January he reported a different hand gun was stolen from a car parked there.

Mr Doll said the bullet went through McKenzie's abdomen and came out the other side: "a clean-through shot, they call it."

[twyacht]

He should be arrested, and convicted. Possession of marijuana? Some folks don't deserve what the 2nd Amend. provides, and the complete lack of personal responsibility, disregard for the childs safety, sounds like he's an idiot and deserves what he gets.

I'm sure the "world" press loves showing these stories, as I'm sure the world press thinks we trip over our 50 Caliber rifles on the way to the bathroom, and were all so irresponsible.

Just a reminder, 184,000,000 guns in America, shot and killed NO ONE Yesterday.

[fightingquaker13]

Chill TW. From the very limited info available, it sounds like an accident. The guy had a reason (the gun shot) to have the gun to hand. He didn't safe it when he went to work, but still, this is a brain fart that every single one of us has had at one point or another when dealing with dangerours machinery, be it guns, boats, cars or power tools. The odds caught up with him this time. Responsible for the consequences? Yes. Should we be looking for a pound of flesh in order to distance ourselves from this guy? No.  Sh@t happens. That's just life. As far as the pot, while I have neither inhaled or exhaled since high school, its no more relevant than a bottle of tequila as far as I'm concernd.
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

I'm with FQ on this, his possession of pot is no more significant than your possession of beer.

[twyacht]

Pot, beer, heroin, crystal meth, ah, forget about that,....its not a factor in the lack of responsibility. Guns & Children!!!!!!

You don't leave them "hanging" out on a night stand, with a two year old around....

Maybe he forgot that when he put the bong down.....For Pete's sake, The odds? C'mon......

He has to man up and be responsible for his negligent behavior.

[Sponsor]

[fightingquaker13]

I guess we agree on the point that he is responsible. Lord knows that little girl was way too young to be. I just disagree with the cries of "off with his head", because it was a stupid accident and nothing more. He should pay a price, but lets be reasonable about it.
FQ13

[tfr270]

Just my humble opinion...Once you have a kid in the house the loaded gun next to the bed becomes an issue. How do you teach a two year old to don't touch the gun? I don't know, I don't have kids. But I know that kids are very curious and very quick.
These two made an error in judgement that could have killed their kid. That is child endangerment and they both deserve to be charged for that. 

[TAB]

I'm with FQ on this, his possession of pot is no more significant than your possession of beer.

I disagree.  The simple fact that its illegal makes it much more significant.

[Solus]

I disagree.  The simple fact that its illegal makes it much more significant.

The fact that it is illegal might be an indication of a "flaw" in the person's judgment, but so would putting on a new roof without a permit.  But neither have much significance as far as the hand gun issue is concerned.