Wow, this is scary! I agree, I really think that someone should be held accountable. Makes you wonder what the child's home life is like. Thank goodness no one was killed.

I am quite familiar wth the area in which this event occurred. I assure all, that proper parenting is an alien concept to the vast majority of the parents in that neighborhood. In fact, a home with two responsible parents would be an extreme rarity.

Gnome sayin'? You feels me?

Hey Spike - What are the odds the gun belonged to a gang member?

Yes hold the parents responsible...responsible for not teaching their child correctly about guns....

Were we grew up there were always guns in the house, loaded and ready for use, they were not under lock and key but were out in the open, but children were taught from the time they could walk that a gun was a tool and like any tool could be dangerous if not properly respected and used. We never had any of these problems of accidental shootings, suicides, or even intentional shootings. The problem comes in when the gun is something that is hidden, or not talked about, then discovered by a child who has had no training about it.

"well why don't you move back where you came from is going to mean anything to me, all I got to say is "bite me."

Still a good question. Why don't you move?

"Hey Spike - What are the odds the gun belonged to a gang member?"

I have no idea. I was addressing the parenting practices of the area. I would not be surprised if the kid got the gun from his gang member parents.

Gimme your pudding cup......or else.

Children need to be taught that guns are not a toy and that if they see one either at home, at a friend's house, or on the ground, that they do not touch it and to go get an adult right away.

So many people here are saying, "I was taught since before I could walk..." or, "Children need to be taught from early on..." Do you really trust a 4, 5 or 6-year old to make an informed decision on anything??? How many children have heard, "Don't touch that, it's hot" but yet they forget, or test it, or just can't grasp a concept. Do you people also tell your kids one time when they're little to eat their veggies, don't run with scissors, and pet the doggie nicely, and then leave it at that???

Hey Spike if you got the dough, I'd like to move to Rio if I had my choice.

You have to tell them many times not to touch something that is hot, don't run with scissors, pet the dog nice, don't touch a gun and get an adult. They will learn, if you teach them. Would you rather then learn what to do if they see a gun, or learn the hard way when they shoot their friend, or get shot?

Grrr. Sorry for the duplicate. My post wasn't showing up.

Lora-2955908 That is the problem....teach them don't touch and turn your back and they will try the forbidden thing....teach them about Guns, the dangers, their proper use and you equip them with the knowledge of what Guns are all about.

It wasn't the parent's gun, moron. Really, if you don't read or comprehend the story, then don't post.

smallstuff, I moved to Texas in 1985 and really haven't found that many Texan's gone viral in gun ownership. One thing you have to keep in mind is there is a lot of hunting, and outdoor sports. I do not have a problem with anyone here in Texas legally owning a fire arm. I do have a problem with people not teaching their children gun safety. My son is 13 and he knows gun safety. When he goes to a friends house I question the parents at that home about guns, if they own any, where are they kept, who has access to the key. If I don't like the answer my child does not go there.

This state like all the others in this country have bad parents, bad neighborhoods where kids are left pretty much on their own. Those kids grow up with guns, but they are not taught safety.

But really smallstuff if you don't like it here why not leave. I love it here and plan on living here the rest of my life.

Even though I do not own a gun and never plan to, I am supportive of responsible gun ownership.

TruettCollins-When I grew up in the early 70's, we had "A" gun, in the house, whether it was always loaded? I have no idea, I'm sure the ammo was close by. But to say, "WE HAD LOADED GUNS ALL OVER OUR HOUSE," in this day and age only creates a picture that our misguided country does not need to envision. In other words, asssuming, Several loaded guns everywhere will always be untouched by any curious minor.

Funny how the people of our community didn't have the problem of minors playing with guns....maybe that was because they were taught how to use them, the proper use of them and knew the results of their usage so the gun was not some kind of mystery . In our house we had a hand gun for protection against snakes (both the crawling kind and the two legged ones), a rifle for coyotes/skunks/etc that might be killing our cattle, or raiding our hen houses, and a shot gun for the hawks that might be raiding our chickens and everyone in the house knew how to use each one of them if the need arose.

I hope this kid get some serious time in the joint. Kindergarten is just too soon to be packing heat.

For those of you above and below that have argued that the kid knew it was wrong to take a gun to school because he hid it in his backpack, please note that little kids hide lots of things in their backpack to take them to school. They rarely ask their parents because they don't want to hear the N word (No!).

Just because he took the gun without asking and hid it does not mean he really understood the danger and legalities involved!

I do not have a problem with anyone here in Texas legally owning a fire arm. I do have a problem with people not teaching their children gun safety.

No matter how much you teach a SIX year old about anything...they are still SIX. They don't have the judgment or maturity to make safe decisions. My problem is with IDIOT ADULTS who leave LOADED GUNS where small children can get them. THEY are the ones who need to be taught "gun safety" and in a jail cell!

Just because he took the gun without asking and hid it does not mean he really understood the danger and legalities involved!

True and it is also a distinct possibility that he wasn't hiding it. The backpack is for carrying his 'stuff" to school whether it be books, toys, lunch, something he wants to show his friends, etc. so maybe that is just where he stuck it to carry it.

NotKidding . then it seems the parents in the area I grew up in must have been better teachers than those you know about....

Truett....if you seriously think it is EVER wise to trust a six year old child...UNSUPERVISED....with a loaded gun....then you are simply showing criminally bad judgment. I don't care how much "gun safety" you teach them (and yes, I was instructed early on in childhood, but I was NEVER allowed access to weapons, loaded or otherwise, without an adult present AT ALL TIMES.)

Obviously this child is surrounded by MORONS who don't the first thing about gun safety themselves so couldn't possibly teach it to a child.

By the time kids in our area were six it was expected that if a varmint was after the cattle, or the chickens we would grab the gun that we had been taught proper use of and eliminate the problem, other than that or hunting we left them alone.

Maybe the other two kids getting shot accidentally has something to do with it.

Houston police say the gun belonged to a friend of the boy's family and they are still determining whether anyone will face charges, including the gun's owner.

The kindergartner who brought the gun faces an automatic one year expulsion. If expelled, he would go to an alternative elementary school.

Some parents said the incident has made them wonder if additional security measures, including extra officers and even metal detectors, are needed.

The guns OWNER needs punishment, not the SIX year old. We rarely REALLY punish the owner of the EASILY gotten firearm.

I'm a gun owner(quite a few) and myself also don't believe in hunting ACCIDENTS. No such thing imo. Too many stories where the shooter gets NO punishment at all. Like the feller up the new england states few years back, shot/killed a housewife hanging laundry in her back hard. He THOUGHT it was a deer. THOUGHT or guess should never enter the equation in hunting.

And I am SO very much against cops in school. HORRIBLE waste of tax monies. Maybe I feel that way cause of my area. Small town usa. Where we have a minimum of 1 officer in each school. There is NOTHING you can to do prevent someone if they are hellbent on destruction. Perhaps minimalize it, but not stop it's start. Same with homeland security and the zillions spent on it. You are NOT going to stop someone doing some of the things being done.

This story, the guns owner NEEDS to never be allowed to own a gun again. That's the price you pay for letting them EASILY be gotten hold of by 6 year olds ! And..HE (or she) should be liable for any hospital costs involved by the victims.

The child had absolutely no intent to hurt anyone with the gun. He just wanted to show off. Clearly the adults that did not properly secure the gun are to blame and should be prosecuted.

If a six year old can take a loaded gun to school, the owner of the gun should be given an automatic (severe) jail sentence for reckless endangerment. No question.

Idiots who leave loaded guns where children can get them should be locked up for the safety of children and society.

6 year old kids aren't dumb. I bet he held it out in plain view for all to see before going into school and nobody noticed right. If the brat hid the gun, then he knew it was wrong. He, the gun owner and anybody else enabling this incident to happen, like The Texas Legislature should all be expelled and worse!

Nothing thta brat knew what he was doing. He was smart enough to hide the gun until he got into school wasn't he? Kids are little adults, deadly and not to be trusted. Signed, Santa

The parents said the incident made them wonder if additional security measures...are needed.

Yeah, how about additional PARENTING measures???

Idiot parents expect the schools to raise their children for them.

I'm a father and a gun owner. The parents certainly need to be spoken to but yes this kid should be expelled. My kids have known from the time they were tiny that guns were not allowed in school. This kid obviously knew this was a major no no.

I'm actually happy with the school districts response. Lets not turn elimentary schools into prisons because of the act of one foolish child. His expulsion should be lesson enough to the rest of the kids.

The guns OWNER needs punishment, not the SIX year old.

Wow, so your kid goes and takes either with or without permission, someone's loaded gun... forget the whole accidental discharge thing, just the act of putting his hands on a loaded gun without direct parental supervision... THEN accidentally shoots two people... and you don't think he should be punished?? If that were my son he wouldn't be able to sit for a month and he'd be grounded for a year.

Yes, the gun owner and possibly even the parents also need to be punished... and possibly have their kid taken away... clearly their lack of parental responsibility puts the community in danger...

So you advocate that the parents do a full strip search of the child every morning before he leaves the house?

Nothing thta brat knew what he was doing. He was smart enough to hide the gun until he got into school wasn't he? Kids are little adults, deadly and not to be trusted. Signed, Santa

How do you know he hid it. Since backpacks are where he would carry his "stuff" to school he quite likely picked the gun up and stuck it into his backpack to take and show his friends with no thought of hiding it.

actually yes, the 6 yr old does deserve to be punished. he took something that did not belong to him. i dont care if he wanted to show it off, self protection, or anything, HE TOOK SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT HIS TO TAKE. stop feeling sorry for the kid and blaming everyone but. 6 yrs old, the parents should have taught him not to take what isnt his. As for the adult in this matter.... it all depends on the situation. if the guy had no kids of his own for starters, and where the gun was kept. Yes i have to agree, he did hide the gun, be it in his backpack, his pants or where ever. he didnt ASK to take the gun, he TOOK it. he hid it to take to school. he hid it to get it into school. when i was in preschool i took a knife to school. yes i thought it was cool. but i knew i wasnt supposed to take the knife to school. I knew i wasnt supposed to HAVE the knife for the simple fact IT WASNT MINE! So i hid it, and when i was showing it off, i got caught, it got taken away, and the teacher called the pricipal, and then they called my parents, and then i got my butt blistered. because i was told once to leave it alone. did i listen...no, and i took it to the next level by taking not just out of the house, but to school as well. i also will say i deserved to get my rump whipped.

So you advocate that the parents do a full strip search of the child every morning before he leaves the house?

No, I advocate that they act like responsible parents. Maybe one day when you have kids of your own you might understand what that means.

Nice SHOT- saod Sarah! hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh stick that tired old child abuse crap. The kid is a brat who is also a danger and needs his butt kicked. You are nothing more than the product of the Gestapo CPS who have you scared and brainwashed into thinking that looking at a kid the wrong way is child abuse!

This kid certainly knew what he was doing. He hid the gun to get into school with it didn't he? Kids are little adults and the sooner you wake up and realize that the better off you will be.

How do you teach a 6 year old gun safety? I started teaching my son gun safety at 6 years old with a bb gun, how to handle it, how to shoot it , how to carry it, how to use the safety and many other details.

He was 8 years old when he killed his first squirrel on a hunting trip with me and I made sure he understood then just what a gun did...you shoot something with it...it is dead...no taking it back...no second chances.

I can leave any gun I want in my house now and he won't touch it without asking first. I have taught him hunting safety rules before and while hunting and have no concerns with him having a gun in the woods during our hunting trips.

Stop hiding guns from kids and teach them about them...teach them to respect them...to be safe with them and you just may see less accidents like this happen.

To me the parent is ultimately responsible.

What a novel concept!

smallstuff, it is obvious that you do not have kids, so STFU.

@tina-293371 are you the parent :)

seriously thou i thank the kid should be held as a adult he hid the gun from teachers to get it in the school therefor fully understood the consequence.

the gun owner should pay for medical bills and have all gun rights taken away.

the parents should have child protective services evaluate the household

whats wrong with these little kids getting pregnant in middle and school bringing guns into schools even before there old enough to attend.

where all in trouble.

A kindergartner tried as an adult?

Kindergartners are 5 YEARS OLD!

OK, as the daughter of a Marine who subsistence hunted with her Marine father long before she hit first grade, I can tell you now that assuming that guns are unloaded, or routinely keeping them unloaded, is one of the most dangerous things you can possibly do. People "unload" their guns, but you would be amazed at how often they forget to remove the one in the chamber, which will kill you just as quickly as any round in a magazine.

From the time I could walk, every gun in the house was loaded and I grew up knowing they were loaded. My dad took me out hunting with him the first time when I was barely three. The rifle I shot was longer than I was tall, and the recoil knocked me for about three backward somersaults and then up against a big pine tree. I remember it well LOL. Furthermore, determined (I was a bit bull headed as a child....bet you would have never guessed:)) as I was to go hunting with my daddy, I got up and did it again. The third time I picked myself up and reached for the rifle he couldn't stand it any longer and got out the .22, which was still longer than I was tall but didn't knock me toes over teakettle, and he taught me to hit my intended target.

I'll bet some of you are thinking "child abuse", aren't you? Well, you're wrong. What getting knocked back about ten to twelve feet taught me was exactly how powerful that rifle was, and the damage it could do. Further, he never had to tell me again. Actually, he didn't tell me the first time, he showed me, and showed me in a manner that 59 years later this bull headed child still respects and remembers, the power of a weapon, any weapon.

I assume he did the same with my siblings, although since they are quite a bit younger than me I was no longer at home by the time they were big enough to drag out into the woods for life lessons. However, since all of us are or have been gun owners and there has never been a mishap with any of us or any of our children (who got the same basic lesson at the appropriate time), I have to assume he did.

The one thing he stressed was that there would NEVER, EVER be an unloaded gun in our home at any time for any reason. Every weapon in the house, whether long guns or handguns, and there were a number of both, were ALWAYS loaded. He always maintained that the most dangerous gun was the one that was SUPPOSED to be unloaded, and I have to agree with him.

. He always maintained that the most dangerous gun was the one that was SUPPOSED to be unloaded, and I have to agree with him.

I have said that for years as well.

the parents are responsible to the degree of teaching the kid right from wrong, and enforcing it. oh my is that child abuse?

Houston police say the gun belonged to a friend of the boy's family and they are still determining whether anyone will face charges, including the gun's owner.

so let me get this strait.... the kid obviously STOLE the gun. why shouldnt he be punished, and his parents held responsible? so what you are saying is, its ok to steal as long as you dont get into trouble with what you stole? or is it... its ok to take what doesnt belong to you, because in this world since Nobama the clown took over, you are entitled to what everyone has no matter what it is?

Excellent post SEAN

Sean

Yeah right. Kindergartners are known to be really rational thinkers. They need to know how to put the saftey on........Guns and little kids dont mix. Guns should be stored in a manner that absolutley prevents little kids from having access..period. This is not a training issue related to the kids. It is a parent issue that deserves jail time.

Kindergartners are perfectly capable of learning gun safety if it's taught properly. I was three when my dad taught me, and I can remember every moment of that day as if it happened yesterday rather than 59 years ago. However, it requires a parent who is knowledgeable regarding guns and who will take the time and expend the effort to teach them.

Retired RN-439841 . Very well put here and in 4.6.

I really don't think gang bangers care about gun safety.

All for gun safety classes. However, this situation was caused by a little kid having access to a gun. The gun owner needs a gun safety class and some jail time.

gun safety or not, a 6 yr old should have been taught not to steal. He took the gun not from his parents, but a freind of the parents. that means my guess, that the kid is a sneak as well a thief. THAT fault lies directly on the parents. not the school, not so much as the freind of the parents. the parents dhould have taught the kid not to streal, not to go into things that are not his, guessing the guy had it where most people keep their side arm, in a drawer in the bedroom, or in a closet, ot some other place that people do not mormally go unless they are looking for something to steal, or being nosey, and sneaky. FYI a sneak is a thief.... it just a matter of if they get caught.

My son isnt even 2 and he knows not to go into other peoples bedrooms. He knows not to go into their drawers either. He is only allowed in the living room and kitchen unless supervised (and will ask when he wants to go in someones bedroom) He doesnt go in other peoples drawers or cabinets either. He knows it is wrong. His parents should pay more attention.

I pretty weak strategy for keep him and others safe from a handgun. Stealing?? Ridiculous attempt to place the responsibility for this incident on a 6 year old. Relying on the judgment/ethics of a small child in a potentially deadly scenario ?? Stupid.

The brat involved needs education too! Nobody will convince me it did not know what it was doing. It had to hide the gun to get into school.

CalifMom,

All these men are worried about are, KEEPING LOADED WEAPONS IN THE HOUSE! MUST KEEP IT LOADED AT ALL TIMES! EVERYWHERE! UNDER COUCH CUSHIONS! IN THE KITCHEN! You say anything about children year after year getting ahold of the, "MUST BE LOADED!" guns? And they all start giving us Hunter Safety Courses.

Little kids sneak lots of things to school in their backpack. It could have just as easily been a kitten as a gun.

you guys might want to re read the article. the kid stole the gun from a family friend. it wasnt the parents gun... it want their friends responsibility to teach this kid gun safety, it wasnt their friends job to teach the little sneak to keep his hands off things that do not belong to him. that lies directly on the parents. the little brat is a thief, and a sneak... he needs his rump whipped, his parents need to foot the medical bills for the other kids involved, and yes, he deserves every day of exspulsion he gets. his parents should be fined as well. its not up to the people with common sence to teach everyone elses kids respect and manners, that lies directly on the parents. if that cant do it on their own, maybe some $$ out of pocket will held nudge them in the right direction.

this also should be a good exsample to all those parents out there who let their kids do whatever the f*** they want to and not say a word to them to keep them in line as to what COULD happen. you can cry, my baby isnt like that till your lips fall off.... guess what, they are, if not in this way, then in another....

The original article didn't mention anything about a friend...

I agree. Children need to be educated about guns even if their parents don't own one, because their friend's parent(s) might own one or they could see one on the ground. I am sure finding one on the ground is pretty rare, but better safe then sorry.

The Eddy Eagle program was such a flop that when guns were put around 5-6 year olds (including an NRA exec whose while had just been given the Eddy Eagle video AGAIN) all the children including the NRA instructors child were playing with the gun, and trying to load it (fake bullets) within minutes. Easy solution: Ban ALL guns. Less guns, less gun deaths. Period.

Never happen there patsriete....and yes they were trying to load the fake bullets that is part of the safety course, knowing how to load and unload a weapon. You don't want a gun fine but leave law abiding citizens rights alone.

Patsriete, you do realize that the criminals will still have guns. They don't obey the laws, that is why they are criminals. Take a good look at DC and tell me if you want to live that way. They have banned guns and guess what, people are still shot there because the criminals have guns. Here is something you should think about. If someone breaks into your home, do you want it to be him or you?

See my comment about the demographics of this school above at 8.6.

I'll point out that Vermont has, and has always had, looser gun (and carry) laws than any of those "red" states. And wouldn't you know it, our crime rate is one of the lowest too!

Dumbass

Funny!!

Thats right, and at the same time they all yell, "SAFETY OFF!"

See 1.4

You are right....all these parents who do not teach their children about the proper use of guns, about the dangers of guns, to respect guns....the parents who simply never let their child see a gun....and keep them locked up to where that one time they don't lock the door then the child will like any child try the forbidden fruit.

Better idea. Neuter and spay stupid people.

Of course then we'd run out of politicians and lobbyists.

...they (NRA) are seldom asked to present it (child safety course).

Q. Who had to ask the NRA spend millions on TV ads, billboards, and newspaper ads in the Kerry-Bush campaign.

A. The Reich-wing Evangelical nuts.

Gimme a freaking break. People know exactly what the NRA is all about.

Yes we do...they are about protecting our rights by allowing us to protect ourselves from those who would give our rights away.

Yeah well eddie Eagle is synonymous with Eagle eye which is a person who is a dead shot.

okay. Here's a thought. To own a firearm would need have an IQ over 120?

It seems that everyone who posted here here with a pro NRA stance blames the stupid parents. Fine. How about stupid people shouldn't be allowed to own guns?

"Buy a gun, take an IQ test."

Or something more sane perhaps, buy a gun take a gun safety class!!! Sheesh you need to go to school to learn how to drive, but I can go to a gun show tonight and come home with a gun and tomorrow my kid can go to school and shoot your kid. How is that sane??

I'm not one of those anti-gun people, I grew up around guns, LOTS of guns. I learned how to safely handle and fire a gun. But it's ridiculous how easy it is for any CRAZY STUPID person to get a gun and do something stupid. (like leave it loaded where his stupid 5 year old kid can get it). Again, with freedom comes responsibility. Funny, the NRA says that but refuses to support that.

And as it should be. Hey by the way, when was the last time anything happened to any gun owner. Hell people get killed by guns daily, I haven't heard of any limitations being put on you people at all, nothing nada.

You can own an abrams with ammo and it's okay. I just can't spit on the street without going to prison.

You don't have to be smart to be responsible, but you would have to have an IQ over 130 to understand that!

I wasn't trying to insult you or your IQ there son. Too bad you can't tell the difference.

Your not my Father Dave, not even half the man he was.

Now come on, I met Dave once and he is half the man your Father was.....3' 0"

You can own an abrams with ammo and it's okay

Well even if you could afford such a prohibitively expensive item, I'm sure you would need AT LEAST a Class III license for the live turret and ammo (even then, I think the bore is too large and the rounds too destructive for any civilian to own at all)

Logic how about just less guns! Maybe by 1 or 2 million in the US alone. That might make a small dent.

ROFL. and I thought I could be sarcastic!!

Hey Baldenario, you forgot they gotta be able to light up while drinking that beer, procreating and driving all at the same time. Plus shooting cans along the edge of the highway doing 90 mph.

@Dave - Kentucky:

Glad you enjoyed the sarcasm! :)

These news reports are a bit mind-boggling, and lately these incidents are occurring on a nearly weekly basis, which tends to suggest that there is a disturbing absence of parental supervision and guidance in our great nation . . .

@trust_verify:

I was tempted to add "wacky-backy" to the list, but after pondering it for a while, it appeared likely that wacky-backy and a bong need to be absent rather present in the child's home environment . . .

On the other hand, there are some silly bits about "Junior" doing bong hits and Jello-O® shooters while driving a Tonka® truck with a "hot babe" and "heavy metal", so next time I will try to remember to include something about wacky-backy and a bong, since based on the apparent responses from the government officials, prosecutors, police, and professional educators, there will be quite a few "next times", really . . .

Really!

yeah, 5 to 8 year olds should be forced to go through the same procedures any adult goes through when he/she wants to fly. After all we all know what little terrorists kids are!!!

If your calling George W Bush a liberal I'm going to have ask you to step outside mister!!!

Bob, I AM a liberal, at least sort of, and the only reason I stopped carrying my handgun and switched to a very large pair of stun guns is because the handgun made my purse too heavy.

Were it up to me, every kid would be taken out to the woods and taught just how powerful a gun of any kind is the same exact way I was. (Read my earlier post on this thread LOL!) When you're teaching important life lessons, the way to get through to even the most stubborn, bull headed kid on earth is let them see for themselves. Yeah, they may pick up a few bumps, bruises, and scratches from the lesson.....I was bruised and scraped from head to foot before it was time to go home.......but that very first lesson has lasted for 59 years, and I'll freely admit that I was as stubborn when I got my heels dug in as any child who ever has or ever will be born.

LOL

And pay compensation to the two other children who were traumatized and injured. Medical bills, psychological counselling, which just covers their bills, plus extra compensation for what happened to them. And lose the right to bear arms. And, if he/she is a parent, parent education classes and monitoring by child protection services....if he/she/they keeps their children at all.