Toddler (2 yr old) Grabs Gun, Kills Fla. Man

[The Straight Story]

Toddler Grabs Gun, Kills Fla. Man

A 22-year-old man died after he was shot in the head in a Brunswick recording studio, and police said the shot was fired when a toddler picked up a gun.

According to the Brunswick Police Department, Curtis Gabriel Collins was shot about 8:30 p.m. in the 2400 block of Stonewall Street. He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors said he could not be revived, WJXT-TV reported.

Investigators said Collins was shot when a child grabbed a loaded gun on a table, the report said. The gun went off, hitting Collins as he sat on a nearby sofa.
Click here to find out more!

Although authorities have called the shooting accidental, Collins' family said something about their loved one's death doesn't seem right.

....

"I can't see how a 2-year-old could pull the trigger," Thorpe said.

http://www.local6.com/news/14788882/detail.html

[Drum]

1. "...a child grabbed a loaded gun on a table..."

:wtf:

[TechBear_Seattle]

11. That alone makes the issue negligent homicide

And the child is not the one who is guilty.

[iamthebandfanman]

90. what if it was the 22 year olds gun

whats that make it ? negligent suicide?

[Pastiche423]

96. It wasn't the victim's gun

Read the article.

[bdamomma]

14. why would someone be that stupid to put in gun in plain view

and in the company of a 2 yr. old. sick

[liberalnurse]

25. A gun is awfully heavy for a 2-year old to pick-up

and have the nose upright as well....and pull the trigger. Yea, it is indeed suspicious. It's not impossible nor is unheard of either......My question is...Who left a loaded gun, safety off, out in the open, unattended in a place of business with children about?:spank:

[Xithras]

43. Depends on the gun.

I've seen some .25's that weighed less than plastic toy guns.

[Tesha]

76. The sort of person who is (proven to be) all too common in our country.

By the way, with regard to kids and capabilities, our 3-
and 5-year-old grandsons picked up and carried around
Mr. Tesha's ten-pound sledge hammer the other day, so
a lightweight handgun probably isn't that much of a
challenge to a motivated two-year-old.

Tesha


(And *YES*, the kids were supervised during their
hammer-toting!)

[class2068]

50. !!!

Who the *uck is stupid enough to leave a loaded gun on a table accessible to a toddler? This sounds like Suicide by Extreme Stupidity! Darwinism in action.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Knowing this country

no doubt the toddler will be booked and charged as an adult.

[Deep13]

5. Well, the kid was probably drinking.

:wtf:

[Benhurst]

9. Guns don't kill, people do.

Time to plug in Old Sparky.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

64. people don't kill, collapsing parking buildings in FLA and SC kill

oh, sorry. wrong subject.

[LanternWaste]

74. I thought bullets kill people...

I thought the bullets killed people... :shrug:

[Deep13]

84. Actually, it is the holes they make that do it.

One aphorism reads "I would rather be missed by a 0.45 than hit by a 0.22."

Still, I know what you mean.

[LanternWaste]

72. And lauded as a hero, too... nt

And lauded as a hero, too...

[Dawggie]

75. If it weren't possibly true, that was a stupendous post. n/t

[Deep13]

3. If it was cocked, a 2-yr.old could easily pull the trigger.

That's why I make sure the loaded guns I leave within reach of small children are decocked. One would need to be at least six to shoot those. :wtf:

[greguganus]

6. "loaded guns I leave within the reach of small children.."

:rofl:

[Tesha]

78. "I child-proofed my house, but somehow they still get back in!" (NT)

[ChairmanAgnostic]

93. mind if I quote you on that?

that's too precious for words.

[Tesha]

98. It's not mine, so I can't mind. ;-). I saw it on a bumpah stickah. (NT)

[Deep13]

106. wicked good nt

[mzteris]

17. indeed

:wtf:

[snooper2]

38. ...

;)

[leeroysphitz]

40. That's good advice. Thanks.

Did you get that tip from an nRA pamphlet?

[Deep13]

46. Nah, a report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. ...

It was the same pamphlet that said that if you let your dog drive the car, s/he has to be on a leash.* It's just common sense, really.

:hi:

*Footnote to Gary Larson on that one.

[uppityperson]

107. Looks like that is not a "ho ho ho" type santa, though not supposed to say "ho ho ho" anymore

esp Australia where 1 store decided "ho ho ho" needed to be "ha ha ha" since "ho" is slang for "whore", which puts a whole 'nother thing on seeing santas all over saying "ho ho ho".

[Arkansas Granny]

4. We had a case in our town several months ago where a 3 year old

found a loaded pistol on his mothers bed and shot his 2 year old sister with it. Luckily, she wasn't killed.

If people insist on owning a gun, they need to be responsible with it.

In both of these cases I believe you could prove child neglect and endangerment.

[unpossibles]

7. first dogs, now babies!

is no one safe?!?

[Marrah_G]

8. What kind of idiot leaves a loaded gun on the table with children around?

I'f I had to bet I would say it was probably not a legal weapon owned by a legal carrier.

The adult who owned that gun (legal or not) should be charged with homocide.

[stillcool]

12. I think he's dead... n/t

[Marrah_G]

18. I would hope so, but I think it was someone else

The article mentioned the gun was not his.

Not enough info yet to really gage the events properly.

[stillcool]

22. yeah...I saw that...

I'm sure the gun was registered.

U.S. most armed country with 90 guns per 100 people
Tue Aug 28, 2007 1:57pm EDT

By Laura MacInnis

GENEVA (Reuters) - The United States has 90 guns for every 100 citizens, making it the most heavily armed society in the world, a report released on Tuesday said.

U.S. citizens own 270 million of the world's 875 million known firearms, according to the Small Arms Survey 2007 by the Geneva-based Graduate Institute of International Studies.

About 4.5 million of the 8 million new guns manufactured worldwide each year are purchased in the United States, it said.

Only about 12 percent of civilian weapons are thought to be registered with authorities.
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSL2834893820070828

[slackmaster]

37. A careless, dead idiot

:hi:

[Marrah_G]

41. Yup

All these people bemoaning the death of this young man might want to think about two things:

He has past arrests for cocaine possession and he was completely comfortable with the fact that there was a loaded gun on a table around kids, comfortable enough to be hanging out on the couch.

This tells me much about the circumstances.

I will bet it was NOT a legal gun. I will bet it was illegal for the owner to possess a fire arm.

That child needs to be removed from that parent or guardian.

[TreasonousBastard]

10. But if everyone was carrying, someone could...

have shot that dangerous child first.

Guns don't kill people...

[krispos42]

13. Florida. Not surprising, I guess.

I hope the guy that got killed is the one that put the gun out on the table in the first place. That's justice, and possibly a Darwin Award.

What's sad is that the person that died has, or had, I guess, a child due in February.

[Ganja Ninja]

15. When I was just a toddler my family was visiting my grandparents

out in the country and some family friends were hunting at the time. At the end of the day they had come back and were standing around taking. They were holding the guns by the barrels and resting their shotguns on the ground on their butts when I crawled up and pulled the trigger on one of the guns. It went off and luckily no one was hurt.

[AlCzervik]

16. gee thats some responsible gun ownership there.

[Phx_Dem]

19. but...

if everyone else in the studio had a gun on his/her possession this would not have happened.

Seriously though, it seems simple to understand that more guns equals more accidental shootings. I don't know why some, including some DUers don't seem to get that.

[uppityperson]

20. poor kid and people. Wondering, was the kid on anti-depressants?

Seriously, bad gun owner and poor kid and family of the kid and dead guy.

[slackmaster]

21. You've got to keep them locked up when they aren't under your immediate control

This safe cost me about $3,000 with options, tax, and delivery. It's been well worth it.

[The Straight Story]

23. Is the cat loaded and did it come with the safe?

:)

[slackmaster]

26. That's Samantha, the Highly Trained Attack Cat

She's much bigger than that now and no, she doesn't live in the safe. I got her for free from a friend.

[NeedleCast]

48. Cant you see the lasers in the cat's eyes?

[liberalnurse]

28. Are you going hunting

for "Cat"? Jeepers........ :scared:

By the way, I do love your mini arsenal. :loveya:

[slackmaster]

34. That cat does most of the hunting

She's a mouse grabber.

[emilyg]

33. You getting ready to start a war or something?

[slackmaster]

35. More likely I'd use them to stop an invasion

In the event of an earthquake or other disaster that isolates my neighborhood from government services like police, I'd be able to arm the few households on my block that don't already have good weapons, with a bolt-action military rifle like a Mosin-Nagant, and a hundred rounds of ammunition.



Looters and Canadian invaders wouldn't stand a chance.

[Nay]

92. I, for one, would welcome some Canadian overlords.....

[Lautremont]

47. It is irresponsible and wrong to keep your guns locked up.

Self-defence is not just a right, it is a responsibility and a moral imperative. How many people have been shot by intruders while fumbling with the combination lock on their gun safe? Guns are tools, and they need to be at the ready at all times. The death of this albance at the hands of a two year old is collateral damage in the battle for the 2ndA. Regrettable, but are we going to ban automobiles every time a two year-old gets behind the wheel? (Note - this does happen, and it can be deadly.)

[slackmaster]

51. Dude, I have over 50 firearms and only two hands

If I deploy a firearm for protection (and I sometimes do), I take it out of the safe, load it, and lock the safe back up.

[Lautremont]

57. I guess the burglars and home invaders in your area are more sporting than everywhere else.

How do they pass the time while you're doing all that stuff? "Just a second, don't assault me - gotta lock the safe." L.R.W., my friend - loaded, ready and waiting. That's smart. That's survival.

[slackmaster]

68. You totally don't understand what I wrote

But that's OK.

Let me put it this way - If you break into my house while I am there, there is a very strong possibility you'll get an AR-15 muzzle in your face.

[AnneD]

88. You can be my neighbour ....

any time. Hell I'll buy you a box of shells for Christmas.

[BadgerLaw2010]

83. How am I going to shoot an intruder with more than one weapon?

Other than John Woo style banzai BS, which is a good way to not hit anything.

When there are kids around, keeping their fingers off the trigger is far more important than taking a few more seconds to get the trigger lock off or to load a shell into the gun.

[uppityperson]

108. I am hoping you are using very dry humor.

though I really can't tell.

[mitchtv]

73. the kid was locked up

but escaped

[KittyWampus]

95. How come you have so many? Are they a collection? I wonder if people who collect

firearms love them the same way I love my antique sewing tools.

[slackmaster]

104. Read my profile

Federally licensed collector of curios and relics.

It's a hobby, also an investment; part of my retirement savings. When I am financially secure enough to stop working full time, the firearms will give me things to work on, or sold if I need cash.

[zanne]

24. And out come the gun defenders......

Explaining to us why guns are such a good, healthy hobby.

[slackmaster]

27. No, we're telling you that firearms are dangerous weapons that carry moral responsibility

Not something to be made light of or written off with mean-spirited sarcasm, which is what you do.

[liberalnurse]

31. Constitutionalists we are!

Responsible ones at that!

[zanne]

49. "Constitutionalists" my ass. nt

[AZ Criminal JD]

30. And out come the gun haters ....

With silly anecdotal stories about gun accidents. There have been many stories about small children getting in cars and releasing a brake and running over someone. There have even been stories about dogs stepping on guns and someone gets shot. I don't hear the gun haters saying we should get rid of cars just because someone lets a kid get into a car and a accident happens. I guess it is because the gun haters have cars and don't want to give them up. All of our freedoms and liberties have a price associated with them. Too bad. Get used to it.

[Marrah_G]

32. There is nothing to defend

An irresponsible ( and probably illegal) gun owner was negligent and left a loaded gun on the table. There are a hell of alot of drunks out there driving, many on suspended licenses. Should we ban cars since they kill alot more people then guns?

[zanne]

52. Is a gun EVER responsible for death and destruction?

Are guns ever instruments of evil? Is there any reason you'd be against gun ownership?

[slackmaster]

53. Firearms are inanimate objects with no will

A human is responsible for every instance of harm involving a firearm.

[zanne]

55. So is heroin. nt

[slackmaster]

67. Yes, and that's not inherently evil either

It does have potential good uses.

[Marrah_G]

59. Of course they are

Many things can be used as instruments of evil. I'm against gun ownership by criminals and the mentally ill.

Unfortunately there are people who will break the law. This is nothing new. If guns had never been invented people would find other ways of hurting each other. Just look at some African countries recently where machetes are the weapon of choice.

I would love to have a world where everyone works hard for the common good, peace and prosperity for all. Unfortunately that is not reality, as much as I want it to be.

[Deep13]

60. "Explaining to us why guns are such a good, healthy hobby."

Um, it is a better way to waste time than the internet? :shrug:

Well, there are no chillun in my house. I never have firearms just lying around. They are never loaded until I get to the shooting range. I never shoot anyone during a card game unless it is an absolute last resort!* So, I don't think the idiocy of a few others should be imputed to me.


* footnote to The Onion.

[SIMPLYB1980]

103. And out come the Gun Nazis......

Explain to us why you want to take our guns, if Bush does try to declare himself dictator or Blackwater tries to take over you'll probably be glad that a few of your Democratic freinds have some firepower you can barrow. Hell I'll let you barrow one of mine.

[mitchum]

29. Maybe the kid really hated Pro Tools

[slackmaster]

36. And who in their right mind wouldn't?

http://www.allmax.com/milt/

[AngryAmish]

39. This is not a gun problem, this is a Florida problem

Guns don't kill people, Florida kills people.

[AndyA]

42. Yes indeed, no matter how irresponsible or ignorant someone is,

they surely must have a right to have a gun. The fact that they don't/can't/won't handle it responsibly means nothing.

Another death that could have been avoided.

[Marrah_G]

44. You think this was a legal gun? n/t

[AndyA]

58. What makes you think it wasn't?

Do you think guns that are used in crimes and in accidental shootings are always illegal?

[Marrah_G]

61. There are a couple things that make me think it wasn't

1) Past drug crimes

2) Adults in the house completely comfortable with a loaded gun being on the kitchen table around children.

I will be shocked if the gun was owned and in the possession of a legal gun owner.

[AndyA]

63. Legal gun owners have murdered many people over the years.

I know this for a fact. And kids get their hands on legally owned guns all the times. Sometimes they shoot themselves, sometimes their friends, sometimes they shoot the legal gun owner himself.

Being legal or illegal doesn't address the issue.

[yardwork]

45. Maybe he needed killing.

Just saying.

[BoneDaddy]

54. I put butter knives in the back of our dishwasher

because my 2 year old has a tendency to grab at everything. I couldn't imagine leaving a loaded gun anywhere near a child, for his safety as well as everyone else's. Incredibly negligent.

It does seem rather fishy however.

[Deep13]

86. What about the forks?

In grade school I always thought they are a lot more pointy than butter knives and found it amusing that the kitchen staff thought they had to keep the edgeless, rounded utensils away from us.
:evilgrin:

And sporks? Don't get me started on those!

[BoneDaddy]

99. LOL

Yeah, forks too. I used butter knives as an example cause they really don't cut much, hehe. Sporks rule

[Buns_of_Fire]

102. I forked a kid's hand once when I was in grade school.

Hey, he was trying to steal my cheese!

[HuffleClaw]

56. Maggie Simpson? (she's done it before)

the only kid in pre-school who will truthfully be able to say to some kid who tries to steal his cookie, 'hey, i've killed for less.'

[maxsolomon]

62. clearly, Hip Hop is at fault

the lyrics inspired the tot.

[Crunchy Frog]

65. Guns don't kill people, people kill people.

In any event, it's nice to see someone so young exercising his 2nd Amendment rights. Gives me hope for the future.

[Javaman]

91. Guns just accelerate it.

would the child have stabbed him if there was a butcher knife left on the table?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

66. If only that 22 yr old was packing heat. he could have taken down that brat

before the brat fired on him.

Isn't that the basic theory behind conceal and carry laws that the NRA is pushing?

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

69. Not a problem with gun owners

This guy however was a moron, who keeps a loaded gun in the home anywhere but on their person!

[Deep13]

70. This country needs to do something about violent toddlers.

[Deep13]

71. **delete** did not mean to reply to my own post**

[Blue_Tires]

77. who takes a gun into a recording studio?

[TahitiNut]

79. ... and where were the roses?

:silly:

[Kingshakabobo]

81. Phil Spector?

[BadgerLaw2010]

80. Probably not a good idea to leave loaded guns lying around a recording studio with kids.

Keepin it real gangsta, fo sho.

[Deep13]

85. How's he supposed to sing without his gun?!

Answer me that one, wise guy!
:sarcasm:

[northzax]

82. thank god that child had a gun to protect himself

don't you wish someone else would have had a gun to pop one in the kid before he could get a shot off? this whole tragedy could have been avoided.

[Drunken Irishman]

87. If he had been at the Omaha mall, that shooting would've never taken place.

[northzax]

89. just think, he could have stopped Oswald

if only he'd been at the Texas Schoolbook Depository that day.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

94. yeah, and their gyro, Raygun would never have been

suffering from alzheimers. or get shot. or something.

[KoKo]

97. Good for her...She's a real "Pistol" can't wait to see how she turns out when she grows up! n/t

[Perry Logan]

100. It's even funnier when the kids get shot. In 1999, 3,385 of them bought it from guns.

[slackmaster]

105. Only if you consider 18- and 19-year-olds to be "kids"

And include the 1,985 of those deaths that were suicides, and the 27 who were shot by police in legal interventions.

http://webappa.cdc.gov/sasweb/ncipc/mortrate.html

[rocktivity]

101. Whose gun was it, anyway? And whose child was it, anyway?

"I can't see how a 2-year-old could pull the trigger," (Collins' fiancé) said.
Sure he could, if he happened to pick up the gun by putting his little fingers in the trigger area. But that isn't anything a ballstics or trajectory test can't confirm.

...Collins' family members said they do not know the toddler involved, but said they believe the child was the son of a friend...(Collins' fiancé) said...(his) death makes no sense and that she has a lot of unanswered questions.
She's not the only one. Was the "friend" in the studio, too? Was the child under someone else's supervision? Did the friend own the gun? If not, who? Why was it left on a table? Who else was in the studio? Who owns the studio? Is he liable?

The case...remains under investigation by police.
Well, I should hope so! SOMEBODY is guilty of criminally negligent homicide. How odd that Collins' name is the only name mentioned. I get the very unpleasant feeling that there was a stampede out of that studio before the cops arrived.

:(
rocknation