A Michigan man whose 2-year-old daughter shot herself in the head with his revolver last week pleaded not guilty after becoming the first person charged under the state’s new law requiring safe storage of guns.

Michael Tolbert, 44, of Flint, was arraigned Monday on nine felony charges including single counts of first-degree child abuse and violation of Michigan’s gun storage law, said John Potbury, Genesee County’s deputy chief assistant prosecuting attorney.

Tolbert’s daughter remained hospitalized Wednesday in critical condition from the Feb. 14 shooting, Potbury said. The youngster shot herself the day after Michigan’s new safe storage gun law took effect.

  • boogetyboo@aussie.zone
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    9 months ago

    That’s the problem. I don’t think it’s possible to be responsible and own a firearm.

    I wouldn’t keep a tiger in my house. I don’t care if dad bequeathed it to me, or I totally have a lock on the door, or it’s ok, I’ve done a tiger training course. Why invite the risk? Because I really fucking like tigers? Fuck everyone else, I like tigers.

    • adhdplantdev@lemm.ee
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      9 months ago

      Okay that’s interesting thought. See the difference in your example is that a tiger is a sentient being but you have no control over. If I got bequeathed a tiger I probably surrender that too. A gun is a tool which is easily contained. What’s the difference between keeping a firearm and a sword or a bow and arrow when there are also tools initially designed to kill/maime?

      • boogetyboo@aussie.zone
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        9 months ago

        The control in both these examples comes from the human. Who should be smart enough not to keep weapons or tigers in a house. That decision is available to everyone. Unless your intention is to maim or kill. Then it makes sense.

        • SupraMario@lemmy.world
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          9 months ago

          This is just flat out dumb, none of my firearms have ever been used for violence. They’re in a safe, and not loaded, and all my ammo is in another part of the house. Just because you can’t fathom how it’s possible to be safe with something that’s dangerous, doesn’t mean they’re automatically dangerous by themselves. Do you lock up your kitchen knives? Or make sure your matches are separate from the box they come in?

            • SupraMario@lemmy.world
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              9 months ago

              Whole bunch of reasons.

              I own a farm for one, I hunt, I carry daily, it’s a right that should be exercised, I shoot competitively because it’s fun, I collect them as well, and I love mechanical things.

              And way more of us on the left are armed than you think, and more of us daily are becoming armed. I personally have gotten 4 of my left leaning friends to become firearm owners.

        • adhdplantdev@lemm.ee
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          9 months ago

          I see your mind is made up on this topic. You also haven’t addressed anything I have said. Good talk.