Gun-safety advocates say the accidental shootings of three children in the past three weeks underscore the need for tougher firearms laws in Washington state, the Seattle Times reports. Gun-rights supporters say no law can prevent the mistakes that led to the shootings that have killed two children and left an 8-year-old girl with serious injuries. A 3-year-old boy fatally shot himself in the head early yesterday with a handgun left in a car parked at a gas station. The gun owner has a concealed-weapons permit.
On Saturday, the 7-year-old daughter of a police officer died after she was shot by her younger brother while they were alone in the family car. State Sen. Adam Kline said the shootings highlight the need for clear criminal penalties for adults who leave loaded firearms in locations accessible to children under the age of 12. Dave Workman of Gun Week Magazine and spokesman for the Second Amendment Foundation, said “fundamental firearms safety mistakes” were made in the shootings. “We can discuss all sort of firearms safety mandates, but that’s not going to make any difference and bring these children back,” Workman said. “I’m not sure that anything could have prevented either incident, except a little common sense.”