Here at Security Base, we can never stress enough the importance of proper gun storage. Always keep guns unloaded in a locked cabinet or gun safe. More importantly, be sure children are never able to access these cabinets. Our hearts break when we hear stories like the one below, knowing it could have been easily prevented.
An 8-year-old boy in Vacaville, Calif., accidentally shot and killed his 2-year-old sister while playing with a firearm, police say.
Vacaville police said the boy was playing with a gun at the family’s home Wednesday when it discharged and the young girl was struck in the head, the Vacaville (Calif.) Reporter reported Thursday.
The identities of the slain girl and her brother, along with details about the type of gun involved, were not reported.
The young girl was unresponsive when paramedics arrived at the home and was later pronounced dead at an area hospital.
Police Lt. Craig Courtemanche said the boy and his parents, who were home when the shooting occurred, were being interviewed about the shooting.
Courtemanche told the Reporter authorities wanted to determine how the boy came into possession of the firearm and other details surrounding the incident.
It is legal to own firearms, Courtemanche said, but they must be kept out of the reach of children or be safely locked away.
