Boy, 7, Killed at Gun Store in Pennsylvania

Guns were created to kill. They are rated and touted as to their stopping power and kill power. People who covet guns and own them shouldn't be surprised when they fulfill their purpose, even accidentally. That's just part of firearm ownership, knowing that no matter how careful you are, or how knowledgable about proper gun care, your gun may someday kill your husband, wife, child or neighbors child. It sometimes happens to the most careful and knowledgable gun owners. Just a part of life for those who own guns. The most unfortunate part is for those who understand this, choose not to have a gun in their home, and still lose a child to an accident in a neighbors home who do keep guns.

The reason for tragic accidents like this is ignorance. Yes, guns were created to kill, but accidents like this could have been prevented with a little training and common sense. I read in another story that the father told police he had removed the magazine from the gun, but "didn't realize" there was a bullet in the chamber of the gun. Obviously he has not had the proper training; anyone who has would know to check to see if the gun was completely unloaded.

No...You are WRONG!!!! Guns do not just go off and kill someone. If you follow ALL safety rules ALL the time, you will never have an accident. That's a FACT!!!! But you don't own a firearm and you don't understand so don't comment on something you know nothing about.

Well said! What some so called Gun Owners preach about gun safety is not how they handle their own weapon. (yes, isn't it Always a Weapon) I live with one such idiot!!!

This was negligence on the part of the father, plain and simple. No one is trying to take away your right to drive because someone else got a DUI, guns are no different.

Really? This guy wasn't careful at all. He shouldn't have had a loaded weopon in the car. The gun should have been taken apart and been put in the trunk. You're brainwashed into thinking they are killing machines. For most legal gunowners they are for self defense. You act as if it is inevitable that someone will be killed. If that were true just about all of us would be dead, because there are probably more guns than people.
Since you don't own a gun its more likely your home will be robbed than mine. Now thats a fact.

look kids... the libs have their pro-choice marches and the conservatives have their 2nd amendment rights.. why not wait and see who wins the darwin challenge (that would be the ones with kids left over for the future) and then a winner can be chosen... so far there a dozen or so accidental shootings and about 6 million abortions, so we may have a clear winner.

Cars and trucks and motorcycles and trains and plains should all be banned to0 since they kill people as well.

Accidentally killing someone is not "just part of firearms ownership." The fact that 99% of the millions of gun owners will never accidentally shoot or kill someone proves it. It is 1% of irresponsible people and their handling of guns that leads to "accidental" shootings - which frankly shouldn't even be called accidents. This father was apparently not careful or knowledgeable about proper gun care, because if he had been, his child would still be alive today.

It's these white folk who want their guns. Like Drugs, they are not gonna declare a war on guns until enough of their little white kids start getting killed. It's a tragedy what happened to this baby, but his parents are the reason he's dead. He should have left that baby home. He had no business in a gun store. Some places is NOT appropriate for children but his father was "getting him use to guns" at an early age, he just didn't know that he'd be the cause of his baby losing his life as a result of a "gun shot" womb. I've had enough of the white man and his wanting guns because he "thinks somebody is out to take his country, when in fact the country that he's claiming is NOT his country. This is the Indian's country. And the white man is going to reap what he sowed at the hands of the gun that he unleashed on other people.

Are you for real? My great great grandparents, great grandparents, grandparents, etc. and their friends (and mine) have been gun owners for generations and NEVER shot anyone, nor were they ever responsible for shooting or killing anyone with a gun. Guess they are among the responsible and legal gun owners in the U.S. Being a responsible gun owner does NOT mean you will eventually shoot or kill someone, nor will you be responsible for shooting or killing someone. What a * comment.

Mario,
Evidently you live in the United States of America,legal or illeagal I dont know,Maybe you should read about the history of our country the think about what you write!

"safety measures" for guns, when children, criminals and the mentally ill can easily get them? That's like safe heroin.

this sounds like you may have experienced accident, if that is the story then I am sorry for your loss. I have owned guns for 30+ years now, and none of mine have killed a person, yet.
That said, what was this idiot doing with a loaded gun, in the parking lot of this store? why was he either pointing it towards, or having it within reach of a child? Again, this loss is tragic, but it is NOT the fault of the gun.

This is directed to "telling the truth".
That is the most ridiulous comment. Why did you have to turn this tragedy into a black and white situation? Why can't you just offer condolences to the family? I really don't understand why people like you can make such a tragedy be aboout race. Anyone can be IGNORANT!!! Ever heard it was best to keep your thoughts to yourself and let people think you are ignorant than to reveal your thoughts and let people know you are!!

I am sorry the little boy died how very very sad.this is why there are NO guns in my home and no video games that have shooting or guns in it or to use with it and no toy guns in my house either

First off, this accident probably happened because the father improperly stored his weapon. I am not sure of the details, but no weapons ever goes off accidentally when handled properly or stored properly.

Was the weapon placed on the dashboard and fell off it's perch to strike the floor and go off? Maybe.

Was the weapon in an improperly secured holster and slipped out and the trigger got snagged on something? Maybe.

The problem with accidental gun deaths is due to one reason and that is irresponsible storage or handling. The boy did not die because of the weapon. The boy died because the weapon was not handled as it was supposed to be handled. As much as it pains me to say, the fault lies with the father and no one else.

I have plenty of experience of nearly getting shot due to improper handling of firearms by other people. Each and every one of them knew very little about the devices they were holding. In contrast, I have plenty of experience nearly getting in a car accident because someone else was not paying attention to where they were driving their 3000 pound vehicle.

While I do agree that guns are designed to kill, you exaggerate the danger. A careful and knowledgeable gun owner will never place himself or allow a child to be placed in a situation where a weapon would accidentally go off. Even if it did, it wouldn't kill anyone if you follow several very simple guidelines.

The same applies to a car, if not more so.

The problem does not lie with the machine. The problem lies with the men using them.

First of all "telling the truth" your statement is racist, declaring that it's the white people who are the only gun owners. If you did your research there are just as many other ethnic groups that are gun owners and have experienced the same tragedies. Did this father make a poor judgment by having the gun loaded yes, but the child could've been just as likely to have been killed in a car accident on the way to the grocery store, we probably should quite driving cars too since white people are the only ones that drive cars. If I had to guess you think we should not have guns but remember one thing guns don't kill people irresponsible gun owners do. It truly is a tragedy the family will have to deal with and my heart goes out to the family.

first thing is how did the little boy get shot in the chest.... If his dad was getting into the truck he shouldn't have had his finger no where near the trigger, and if it did go off by its self[not likley] the little boy would have been struck in the side not in the chest.... Something is not adding up right now... And if he were putting it into the glove box he would place it in barrel first. He had to have placed it in the box barrel pointing out. This is not normal.... They need to look int this more....

I don't know where I stand on the 2nd Amendment. I was raised in Rural Pennsylvania where everyone had guns. My brothers were taught to shoot by my father at an early age. I went with them one time and the gun was so loud that I can still hear it. None of my brothers have used a gun to commit a crime. My father was a Constable and when I was growing up we had guns and shotguns in our home. My father never fired his gun, nor pulled it on anyone, except in the line of duty, to my knowledge. The worst days were payday's when people got drunk and there were shootings, as well as stabbings. If someone wants to kill there are numerous of ways besides using a gun. When I went back home to visit the news announced a rise in the murder rate for the County. There were nine people murdered in the entire county in one year. That happens in one weekend in the area where I now live. This is very sad that a child has lost his life, we should wait to see what the facts are in the case.

WOW what a tragic incident...my heart goes out to the boy and his family...pure recklessness on the fathers part...however, i would still rather have a gun to protect my home in the event of an intrusion.

Guns are to be trusted in the hands of those that respect their true purpose and individual training and experience(law enforcement, hunters military). Besides you have a better chance of getting hit by a drunk driver then shot by an idiot with a gun. Guns are not the problem; irressponsibilty is the issue at hand.

Guns were not created to kill.They were created to fire bullets.Guns save lives too!Why do you think our country is free? Is it becuse the democrats love us and want us to be happy?This a extremely sad story so stop trying to take advantage of it.

he was selling the gun decided he would still be too broke and couldn't afford the responsibility any more- my theory

got rid of his costly responsibility ...i read a comment on abortion further down and i say better to abort an embryo than kill an already grown child

The only reason this boy was killed was because he had a bullet in the chamber, and the safety wasn't on.
My grandfather had the same accident, when he placed the gun case in the arm rest compartment it went off, shot through the side of the rest, and into his Bible which stopped it from being so thick.

Guns Dont kill people. People do. A gun when not in use, I.e. Hunting, or acquiring a target, for no reason should a bullet even be in the camber. You chamber a bullet when you need the gun to do its job. And what about the safety that Should always been on until ready to shoot. This Father is straight up 100% to blame. GUNS DONT KILL. PEOPLE DO, MOSTLY PEOPLE WHO LACK THE INTELLIGENCE TO OWN ONE. Keep bullets out of the camber, when not in use, bullets out of gun completely for storage or transport. SAFETY ON, Number one rule. NO IF AND OR BUTS. NO ACCIDENTAL DEATHS. Thats it!

Do ANY of the people against guns REALLY think harsher gun control would make that much of a difference? People who want guns will ALWAYS find a way to get them. I think these people are very nieve.

Amazing how very little thought goes into these conversations. If you added up all the people killed by guns and include the wars............... you would find that automobiles have killed more people in the last 50 years than guns have in the last 200. Seeing as how cars have not kept freedoms gates and are mere appliances of vanity and greed...... lets save some lives by getting rid of them??!!

I would not want anyone in my space with a gun. Too often you cannot walk away from a bullet but you can survive a car accident. I'd rather no one had a gun you can't tell if that person is an idiot or not until it is too late. Trust no one with a gun.

This comment is the epidome of ignorance. Guns cant kill anything by themselves. For you to say that is not only ignorance but also stupid. If you can criminalize an object why not cars(which kill way more people than guns a year), or kitchen knives, or even television for giving people these ignorant notions? If you knew anything about guns you would know they cant load themselves or cycle a round into thier chamber. If you are a safe responsibe gun owner accidents rarely happen, if ever. This act was of pure neglegence and whoever is responsible deserves the most stern of punishment. As far as I have seen by all the events involving guns in the past few years guns and gun owners have taken all the wrap for the actions. Why isnt anyone looking at society and how to change whats going on to cause people to do these thingsn? Did the guns say to kill these people? Keeping guns in the hands of responsible gun owners, has saved many more lives than have been lost to it. Then again why shouldnt we hold a salem witch trial for them? It is the same kind of ignorance isnt it?

B.S. I love how the media distorts everything they write about. 7 year old shot to death in gun store. Use your head,people who know what they are doing will never have this kind of thing happen. You sound like our government,maybe,might,could happen. This father should have never owned a gun.

About 9,000 people each year are killed by guns in the united states. About 11,000 people are killed each year by alcohol related traffic accidents in the united states each year. No one died from the second hand medical issues related to gun but 100s of thousand die from stomach, liver, kidney etc, issues related to alcohol use. Why is gun the hot topic. As a firefighter I have witnessed a whole lot more related to alcohol then guns. Lets focus on the bigger issues.

why does the dad have a loaded gun in the truck with a child. why isnt it in a lock box without the bullets. it could of went off in the store killing the owner and any customer in the store. he should be charged this is not a accident this is a * * man who killed his own child. why does he have a gun to sell anyway. you see the gun store didnt want it.

Only cowards and weaklings need to carry guns.

gun should have not been loaded in the fist place out side car in car. Bad judgement by parent, lose of a innocent child. he will be in heaven now

There is no heaven. Kid is dead and gone.

I feel sorry for the family of the youngster that was killed. Do I believe that we should ban guns in light of happened? No. I do not. Whether it was an accident or not, I don't believe we should take away people's rights to bear arms. My sympathy to the loved ones of the child.

Do you belong to the NRA????? Did he????? How many more innocent victims have to die so that ignorant idiots can carry firearms

bossmom98: Any accidents that kill anyone are tragic. Motor vehicles kill tens of thousands of people every year. Should cars and trucks be banned?

The Black Market is the Number 1 supplier of criminal firearms in the United States. No ban will ever stop gun crime or gun-related accidents

to 'grammie04' if that is your logic, your saying that anything that accidently kills a person should be banned. If there is an accident on a highway, are you saying that brand of truck should be banned because some 'ignorant idiot' was driving it and hit an innocent person?
If a single plane crashes and kills someone on board, are you saying we should shut down all air ports just because of that?
Also my story:
A gun saved my fathers life. He was being robbed, and he did not have much money on him at the time, so the other man was getting irritated and pulled out a gun and held it to my dads chest, and while the other man was digging a bullet out of his pocket, my dad grabbed his gun from behind his bed and shot the man. Are you saying my dad is a horrible person for choosing not to get killed himself?

everybody should carry a gun, but there are people that get carried away & think of being responsable even with children around. i feel for the family & friend's. (R.I.P. YOUR IN GODS HANDS NOW) now for those who own a firearm, i would advise you all to put it in a safe place & keep it locked up where the little one's can't get there hands on it/ put it in a lockbox with a lock on it.

Guns don't "accidentally" just fire themselves. Any idiot that knows anything about firearms knows that. It's called negligence on the fathers part.

Why was the gun loaded? NO gun store allows a loaded gun on the premises whether you are looking to buy or sell. For some reason the father couldn't sell the gun to the store? Something just doesn't sound right. Our sympathy goes out to the family on this tragic loss and I hope the police get to the bottom of it.

If he going to sell it, why was the gun chambered?

ya, no kidding! I was wondering the same thing. And also, why was it chambered if he was with his son, I can understand having it at the ready, but not cocked and loaded.

I am all for gun rights. We are Americans, it is our right to protect and fight for ourselves and our well being. I believe any American without a violent crime CONVICTION, not charge, should be able to purchase and own any semi-automatic firearm they want. But this is unacceptable. If I have a gun around my son.
1- It always is pointed at the ground away from him in case of ricochets.
2- The * thing is NEVER loaded. It may be ready, but really if you need it, how long does it take to * it back. 2-3 seconds tops and you can fire.
That 2-3 seconds cost him his son.
I hope this father doesn't go to prison, loosing his son is more punishment than ANYTHING could possibly be. But with all these Democrats trying to pry away our last true American right, (We all know freedom of speech is gone, people with too much time on their hands have put an end to that). MERRY CHRISTMAS btw everyone!!!! I believe this man should have to participate in country wide awareness of gun safety. Guns will alwasy be available to the people that want them for lawful purposes or not. Taking guns away from lawful citizens will only put us at grave risk to those that dont care. They arent pointing the barrel at your head because they have a LTC and want to say hi. These democrats want to take our constitutional rights away just to appease their voters. They know * well that they cant take everyones guns away. GUN CONTROL ONLY LIMITS LAWFU CITIZENS ACCESS TO GUNS. CRIMINALS DONT GET GUNS THE LAWFUL WAY YOU STUPID POLITICIANS!!

The gun was not chambered...The bullet was chambered. We know our gun terms very well I see.

The cartridge or round was chambered. The bullet being part of the cartridge.

This is an absolute tragedy. I'm truely grieved that a child died from most probable irresponsible gun ownership.
I can't even imagine the pain this family is experincing.
Please ,Please, remember that any gun is loaded and keep your children safe.

Why was the gun loaded? Why wasn't the safety on? Something doesn't sound right with this. I'm sure that Dad is experiencing some hellacious guilt over this tragedy but he really should have known better. My sympathies to the family.

Maybe the father was going in to rob the store and lost his nerve. Why would there be a bullet in the chamber? ummm!

Why? Because what's the point in carrying a firearm for protection if it's not loaded? Kind of defeats the purpose, doesn't it? What are you going to do, ask an attacker to please wait while you load your gun?

I carry 15 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber at ALL TIMES and have done so for decades. Never had a problem or an accident because unlike the father in this story, I know what I'm doing.

Sorry for his loss but the guy is a * ! The first thing you do when handling a gun is to make sure it is EMPTY by slightly opening the slide or swinging the cylinder out. The gun didn't just "go off". He had his finger on the trigger in direct violation of one of the prime safety rules. Never put your finger on the trigger until ready to fire. Having the gun aimed at his son, intentionally or not, violates another safety rule. Never point a gun at ANYTHING you are not willing to destroy. I hate to sound unsympathetic but it's dunderheads like this that get fools like Boob Costas all riled up about guncontrol, even though they have absolutely no idea what they are talking about and make it difficult for those of us who are responsible and safe gun owners and users.

Bob Costas was right about gun control in this country. Futher more, when this admendment was written the men who wrote it needed these weapons to continue stealing america. And as long as we have these slack- * gun control laws in this country, we will always have one of the highest murder rates in the free world and innocent people will die.

Spooky52 is absolutely correct. To me the story sounds like the father was * off he could not sell the gun. Maybe the kid was crying or complaining about something and the father snapped. Bottom line the father was negligent.

glad to see you are the only smart one when it comes to guns. would you please enlighten the rest of us so we can be as smart as you?

You, are exactly correct on all points. And we don't need an over abundance of gun control, we need a lot of idiot control.

Let me first say my heart and prayer go out to the family of this 7 year old boy that was accidently shot and killed. Now to editor of this story quit trying to make it look like it was the gun stores fault, next time try printing the whole heading instead of just part of it. People like you send out the wrong message about guns try gettting it right next time.

Young Black kids are killing each other in chicago everyday. I notice that Al Sharpton addressed it one time on his radio show. Where is Jesse Jackson? Its the Left wing in typical fashion attacking the 2nd amendment, and pushing aside the constitution. why isnt all these killings getting the same amount of press? I dont believe a thing the left wing media says, so who knows what really happened? They are biased, and very hypocritical. They have no credibility, with the president leading the charge. shameful that the media picks, and chooses what it wants to report souly based on their left wing agenda.

This is a good argument for not chambering a round in a semi-auto pistol. Some would argue that this is a clear cut case of neglegence and maybe rightfully so. In any event it constitutes a tragedy for everyone. I am deeply saddened to hear this story. I am a gun owner for 40 plus years and maintain that handling guns requires not only respect for the weapon but a FEAR of the consaquences MISS-HANDLING one will bring. My condolences go out to the family.

First of all the person who wrote the story knows nothing about guns and is probably one of the anty gun reporters. How do I know this ? When a gun miss fires that means it did not fire so how could the child be shot from a gun that did not fire. I suggest you serve your contry in the military then you would know how fire arm work and then you would be able to know what you are talking about.

if he could not sell the gun it was probably altered or stolen. why was this gun loaded if he went in the shop. guns dont just go off this thing had to be cocked and ready to fire.

Casual gun owners treating guns casually. Don't know why anyone thinks this is a good idea.

that is very sad i think the dad should of unloaded the gun duhh so sorry boy

sad for the boy but dad was an idiot with the gun.No law of the land can stop stupidity.had several folks killed here last night,but guess what,the thugs never registered their guns or themselves.guns are here to stay,i believe the majority of gun deaths come from criminals,not legal gun owners.

SO VERY SAD FOR THIS FAMILY GOD IS WITH UALL MY SON IS SEVEN AN I CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT THAT MOTHER IS GOING THRU AT THIS TIME MY PRAY ARE WITH THE FAMILY

Elena,

When is people in the media like you or your editors, going to quit tampering with the news.

A "parking lot" is not "in the gun store".

Now there are several issues with this story.

One, you never walk in to a gunstore to sell a loaded weapon.

Nor would the owner of the store, let you walk out of the store once it was discovered; that it was a loaded weapon.

But the most likely issue with the sale was documentation.

Most gun stores will not buy a weapon with out the complete sale record.

Many will wait for a ATF search of the serial numbers, before purchase.

And finally, it is an accident.

If we banned cars, based on the small number of people each year, that are run over by unnattended vehicles.

No one would be driving, either.

Just be cause a person is irresponsible, does not mean everyone is as well.

The liberal media sure does love to magnify any kind of shooting. How many stories go unreported of kids dying while drowning in a pool, bicycle or car accidents, sports accidents, etc? None of those are ever reported but if happens with a gun its front page news because it gives the anti-gun people more ammunition to ban the peoples right to bear arms for security and defense.

The problem with your logic is, none of those things you mentioned, pools, bikes or cars, are manufactured for the sole purpose of taking human life. I am not a member of the liberal media, although I suspect that you watch a lot of Fox News and carry your NRA membership card in your wallet. I love you gun huggers who like to point to the constitution to justify your anal need for guns. Just because it's in the constitution, doesn't make it right, moral or justifiable. That document was written almost 250 years ago, in a different time, when the country was in revolution and the citizens had to stand ready to protect themselves and their families. Today, we pay taxes to support the National Guard, local and state police forces and the biggest military in the world. Some day, you might realize that weapons are used to kill people and there is NOTHING holy about that!

What do you mean that stories of kids dying by accidental means go unreported ? You must not read any newspapers or watch local TV. People like you who are always looking to defend yourself against Sasquatch and other evil monsters that make people who own guns look silly.

Guns are manufactured for the sole purpose of self defense. Do police carry guns so they can go out and "taken human life"? Guns protect myself and my family which is much more important than a pool or car. I can live wihout a car but I only have one life. I dont point to the constitution to "justify having a gun". I point to the horrible incidients of home invastion robberies, rapists, psychopaths etc. Here in Las Vegas we had a criminal with a hammer break into a home and rape and kill a mother and 10 year old daughter. Perhaps you're fine with being defenseless if someone like this hurts you and your family but I'm sure as heck not.

My condolences in regard to the child's death, it will be a huge burden for the the father for the rest of his life. I a pro-gun, but people that own and/or use their weapons recklessly as this guy did is inexcusable. I believe trainig shoujld be required before an individual can buy a gun. Two of the four basic tenets of gun safety; NEVER put your finger on the trigger until you are ready to shoot, and NEVER point a gun (loaded or unloaded) at anything you do not intend to destroy. This was likely a negligent discharge, no such thing as an acidental discharge unless of course the firearm loaded and discharged all by itself.

What law, other than one regarding the stupidity of having a loaded gun in the car, would regulate this from happening in the future? There is certainly no gun control legislation that could stop this....legally owned weapon; not automatic; not an "assault weapon;"...we don't need gun control, we need people control...stupid, irresponsible, and reckless.

cant people just play it safe an put a gun lock onall guns not being used.

I think whoever wrote this needs to get more facts before sharing speculation. Condolences to the family in their time of grief.

How many more people have to die before we enact stricter gun control laws.

How many more will die in car crashes before you enact stricter driver laws? How many more will be killed by Knives before we enact stricter cutlery laws? How many more will be beaten to death by ball bats before we enact tougher baseball bat laws? How many more will die from MEDICAL MALPRACTICE before we enacat tougher medical laws? ALL of these ran higher than deaths by ANY kind of firearms.
This is a very sad death and it has nothing to do with the gun, but with the HUMAN CARRYING it. Murders that are committed by the use of a gun would still have been committed because they have no regard for ANY law. These knee * reactions are done so by those who opt NOT to own one or keep one locked so far away that if needed it would be too late if they needed it. People need and WANT to drive their cars, so we give them a pass even though they kill more a year than guns do in five years. We need doctors and hospitals, so we don't say anything about that, but oh hell, A GUN went off, so do away with them! I guess my keyboard or computer is responsbile for the misspelling and errant use of commas and periods instead of me! Again, this is very tragic and hurts me for the loss of this mans son and his enormous guilt. But again, it was human error..and if he was carrying the gun with a propper cncealed carry permit, then he does NOT have to carry the ammunition and gun seperate..there is not enough information as to him attempting to seel the gun that he carries for personal use or carrying openly between home and the gun shop...deaths from guns ran somewhere around tenth in the US behind all the things I listed above...there are more dangerous and CONTROLLABLE methods of death than firearms.

Obviously "MG" is totally incompetant. People like you, complaining, having no logic understanding in your brain, are the reason we have such strict gun control laws already. Thats why many people cant get legal firearms, so they resort to illegal, unregistered guns. Guns that dont exsist in the eyes of the government and people like you. Then your surprised when they use them? Seriously? Its just total ignorance in our society by lefties. Their minds are one-sided, they only see these things happen, then make comments like "how many more people have to die before we make tougher gun control laws," without actually thinking of the reasons and repercussions of the events that led to a certain event. now in this event the father was obviously careless. A gun does not accidentaly go off. Unless maybe if you have a trigger kit to reduce the trigger pull to under 1-2 lbs. Even then its a freak accident if it went off by itself, it just doesnt happen unless he dropped it, with a light trigger pull installed. Those trigger kits btw, are illegal in MOST states unless it was already installed pre-ban. Now if he did have a kit installed, that just goes to show you people will do what they want! Gun control does NOTHING but make it more difficulkt for lawful citizens like myself to get a firearm for hunting and protecting my 3 year old since we live in Hyannis, MA. lots of home invasions here, like the one a few weeks ago 2 men broke into a house pistol whipped the 85 yr old man and woman inside and robbed them at gunpoint. Id shoot them people so fast are you kidding. If i didnt have a gun and that was my house and my son was here with me! Who knows what would happen, would they shoot us? Guess what those people had ILLEGAL WEAPONS! GUN CONTROL STILL DOESNT HELP WITH CRIMINALS GETTING GUNS.

how can a gun "missfire" when it should not have been loaded to begin with?

Misfires happen. the real problem is this guy didn't follow the two most important rules of gun safety
1) always always treat a gun as if it is loaded. even when you "know" it isn't
2) Never ever ever point a gun towards something you wouldn't want to shoot. ever.

he ignored both of those, and his son is dead because of it.

gun owner stupidity, he will suffer forever for it but never bring life back to the child

Its a shame but again the gun gets the blame for human stupidity

We can't control human stupidity, but we can make it so stupid humans can't easily carry guns with stricter gun control law.

Gun never go off on accident.

First--missfire means there was an attempt to fire the weapon and it did not fire---shows excellent knowledge by reporter and comments----accidental discharge--yes-I can believe that-my son purchased a 20 gauge pump shot gun --when he loaded it and operated the pump to chamber a round--it went off without the trigger being touched--we tried it again and it fired again---we destroyed the shot gun rather than have it accidently kill someone because there were no gunsmiths in our area--

A very unfortunate accident. However, a firearm does not 'misfire' on its own. That terminology is a misnomer.

Repeal the 2nd Amendment!

It's a RIGHT, no one can take it legally

Seriously?? Our Constitution and Bill of Rights hinge on the 2nd Amendment and if it were taken away there is nothing to stop a tyrannical government (like we currently have) from stripping away ALL of our RIGHTS.

Go ahead and try, disarm, go ahead and try. Please be the first idiot to come and try and taake mine!!

1. The father did not have proper fire arm training.
2. This incident (as many) is due to the individuals negligence.
3. I am a mother, wife, and a carrier of a firearm (who will not be a victim). Sad sad sad this is sad situation.

This is why you are not supposed to transport a firearm loaded. The ammo is to be kept separate from the gun.This guy is a * .

With personal protection rights guns are allowed to be carried loaded otherwise someone trying to attack u won't have any problem while ur disabling the gun lock then loading the firearm to prepare and defend urselfblaming guns here is about as relevant and blaming spoons and forks for making ppl fat

Guns just don't go off by themselves. Basic gun safety: 1.Treat every gun as if it were loaded. 2.Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire. 3.Do not point your gun at anything you do not want to destroy.

I feel terrible for this guy but he obviously needs some training in basic gun handling.

I think this is the work of Obama goons creating this incident to enact laws to take away our guns.

I think your right. BTW people gun control does not help society it makes people get guns that in the eyes of our hated government, dont exist. they are unregistered

the father should be prosecuted for his stupidity. the gun should not be loaded to begin with if you are about to sell it.

My heart goes out to the father. However, why wasn't the slide locked back if was a semi-auto, or the cylinder open if it was a revolver? Carelessness breeds tragedy. Don't blame this on the gun or gun owners. Again, my heart goes out to the father and I can't imagine his anguish. My prayers are with him.

Guns don't have brains and make decisions to go off. Someone had their finger on the trigger, pointed it in an unsafe direction, and pulled the trigger.

Yea, that second amendment gives you the right to accidentally kill your own son! We need more guns so we can kill more. Kill, kill, kill!

Yes the second amendment give us the right to bear arms to protect our family from thugs and * like you. Do some research it wont take long to figure out guns dont kill people People kill people. There are thousands of gun shows each year with hundreds of people walking around looking and handling millions of guns. WHY do you never hear of any gun going pyscho and jumping off shelf and shooting up the place. Its because it has been PROPERLY CHECKED BEFORE IT IS TO BE HANDLED by a unknown person that may not know how to handle a gun. If I knew i was going to be killed and no way to get out of it i would rather be shot than beat to death by a bat of piece of something laying around in your reach for a slow painful death.Next time your wire is being raped thow her your golfclub and see if that stops the rapist.

You'll be the first one calling someone with a gun when someone breaks into your house at night. If you're fixing a flat on the side of the road (assuming you know how) and a car load of thugs pulls up and beats you with your own tire iron, you'll wish you used your "RIGHT" to have a gun. Notice I capitalized "RIGHT". There are plenty of things that are just a "privlege" that kill people. I hope I don't need to point all of them out to you, and they kill more people than guns do. The media and the liberals will never complain about those items because they, themselves, use them every day and they are just privleges, not "RIGHTS". Take the guns from the honest citizens and only the criminals will have guns and we will all be at their mercies as well as our own governments mercy. Remember Nazi Germany or any country that does'nt have the "RIGHT" to bear arms and think about how they live and the terror they deal with every day of their lives. Every death, no matter the cause, is a tradgedy to someone.

just member when they take away the legal guns that the crooks will still have there's. so who is gonna stop them from robbing or killing you dumbaaa

There is little or no training required to own a gun or father children. The two most important things a person can do. I feel so sorry for this father.

Look I have no problem with anyone owning guns but why was this gun loaded if he was going to sell it now I have a problem when a fool owes a gun

Here is a prime example of the bias and the ignorance with which the liberal media treats guns and gun owners. Does Elena Gorgan have even the most tivial amount of knowledge about guns? She didn't even have all the facts surrounding this story. but still HAD to rush to get the story printed of an accident that involved a gun. Be the FIRST to go to press. And the editor of the publication is shown as equally biased yet ignorant in their effort to take some kind of perverse credit for reporting not only an accident, but a fatal one at that. Add to that the fact that a GUN was involved, and all the so-called "do-gooder" scribes just HAVE to get in on the feeding frenzy and make sure they do their part to publicize the incident.
There were tens of millions of other guns that day, that were NOT involved in an accident. Do we ever hear about those guns or gun owners? Of course not. People going about their business who don't perpetrate crimes nor exhibit a high level of carelessness that leads to an accident are just NOT NEWSWORTHY!
As some of the other replies mentioned.......the gun did NOT accidently fire. Perhaps a good analogy to try to lay that often misused phrase to rest would be ....a gun going off accidently is like your car accidently starting while sitting in the driveway. But, as is evidenced by the content of this article, far be it for the reporter to be concerned about too much accuracy in her story. Better to get something off to press as soon as possible!

So sad for all involved. A careless accident that could have been prevented had the father used the weapon's safety button.

This is such a tragedy.I don't understand why the gun was loaded at the time.I own guns,but when my grandchildren are around I make sure that they are not loaded and are out of reach to from any child.I really feel so bad for the little boys parents.

Anyone taking a 7 year old to a gun show should have any other kid they have taken off of them and put in jail!

Why is taking a child to a gun show any different from taking them to a book fair or an antiques show or something like that? This is a statement made in total ignorance by someone that is completely brainwashed by liberal media

we should ban cars how many do they kill everyday.

wonder if he belonged to the NRA

Exactly, I don't own guns but do have pit bulls. Guns do't kill people DO!!!!

Who cares if he is a member of the NRA

Something is missing in this story! Why was this gun out in the parking lot? Why did it have a bullot in it's chamber? The store's salesmen had to have seen the bullot. Why did this father have the gun in his hand at all in the parking lot?? Why did he take this child with him to a gun store? Was he trying to teach the child something? Oh yes! Otto#31.1 Your comment is so stupid it is not worth commenting on. Nothing else is need to be said about you

How many kids have been killed by cars? Do we all start walking because of a automobile accident. This shooting was an accident, and the man will pay for it forever. He accidently killed his child. People die every day by numerous accidents, but the only incidents that get immediate attention are accidents caused by guns. Let's ban the cars, and everybody walks. More people are hurt yearly, or killed by cars then by guns. Take away our "Right to Bear Arms" and we become slaves, NOT FREE MEN!

I would like to know how the gun got pointed toward the little one's chest and don't you have to pull the trigger to make it go off. I read on another report that the father was putting it in his middle console so how did it go off and how was it pointing at the boy. It doesn't make sense.

Just like the pitt bull dog, it's the owner. Same with guns. We have to figure out how to keep bad people from getting them.

Accidents tragically kill thousands of people in the US every year, and will likely continue to claim many lives in the future. People die from injuries that they receive in motor vehicle accidents, when they slip in the shower, and when they fall off ladders. When people die from accidental shootings, the first thing that's heard is, "Ban guns!" Should the US ban motor vehicles, showers, and ladders? Guns are merely tools, that when handled and used correctly and legally don't kill anyone. A lot of unnecessary emotion is injected into the gun debate by reporters promoting their own careers, by antigun organizations trying to advance their own agendas, and by uninformed police agencies that think fewer guns will somehow result in fewer crimes. The truth is that tools don't kill anyone. The people that use or handle them incorrectly do the killing. Banning the tools won't solve anything.

Guns arent the issue in this country, its the way people handle them. Im tired of seeing repeal the 2nd amendment and all the craziness about how evil guns are. Someone can be killed with a broomstick or beer bottle, should they be outlawed, no, because it wasnt truly the items that killed, it was those behind the items. Ive collected several firearms over the years and never once have i had a neglegent discharge.

Hey Elena, In the parking lot isnt the store. How bout you report the facts instead of writing a "story".

@rugerman: Reporters and other writers rarely get to pick the headline for their story. It could be that Gorgan was just the victim of an idiot copyeditor. She may be as annoyed about the headline as you are.

My heart is broken for the man. I am assuming he was attempting to sell the guns to provide for his family on the holiday. I have every confidence the young son is with our Lord and Savior. I pray God will send the Holy Spirit to comfort all, father, mother and family and help them get thru this heartbreak.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the boy was shot when his father's handgun went off as the man got into the truck while holding the gun.

Police say 44-year-old Joseph V. Loughrey told them he had emptied the magazine but didn't realize a bullet was still in the chamber

Kitchen knives kill too. Should we ban them also? How about scissors? Cars and trucks? Lawnmowers? Let's ban airplanes because there are occasional accidents and people die, right? Stop being such an idiotic, liberal moron. Try using your brain. States that have more law-abiding people carrying handguns have LESS CRIME. It's a known fact. Sure, accidents will happen, but accidents happen every single day with millions of objects.

Cars, pools, knives, airplanes, etc. were not created/invented to kill, guns were created to kill. They weren't created to THROW at an intruder or a deer, they were created to load with bullets and KILL.
Unfortunately lots of time they kill by accident. When I was a kid a local police officer shot himself in the face while cleaning his gun. Left a bullet in the chamber by accident. You'd think a policeman would know better wouldn't you? Accidents happen.
Recently, one boy killed his friend while at another friends house when he picked up a gun thinking it was an air gun, and pointed and shot his friend to death with a .22 caliber.
Who's to blame? The idiot boy, or the idiot gun owner for leaving a loaded gun around?

There's this little thing called the second amendment. Look into it. Areas where there are more gun owners have less crime. You think a potential car jacker's going to try to steal your car if he knows you're most likely carrying a handgun?

I had a friend who drowned is his pool when he was 13. Should we ban swimming pools too?

My entire family and I have owned guns for decades and we've never had an accident and shot ourselves, or someone else. We keep them for protection - home invasion, car jacking, robbery...and so on.

There's nothing wrong with owning a gun; it's our 2nd amendment right. It's these people who are careless and irresponsible with their firearms who give people like me and owning one a bad rap.

You wouldn't ban people from owning cars because someone was using one irresponsibly and caused a death, would you?

Guns are the same; don't own one just for the sake of owning one. If you don't know what you're doing, or you're not going to take it seriously and be responsible, don't buy one.

Everyone who owns guns and is not properly trainded are in the wrong I agree but don't put all of us responsible gun owners in this mix a handfull of mistakes and you guys want to start talking about gun control its ignorance when something goes wrong in this country and all of our guns are gone what we do then just sit there have fun with that

Sorry, guns do NOT just go off. It does not happen. Someone or something pull that trigger or moved that weapon with enough force for the hammer to hit the bullet. That is usually a lot of force.

This is a tragic story and this happens alot. My heart goes out to the father for losing his son like this. Although parents need to make sure their guns are unloaded and safety on even though it's unloaded and put somewhere and pointed away from children and anyone else that's around. Parents pay attention to what you are doing with guns, knives ar any other weapon you might have. My prayers to the family.

This could have been just an accident, but keeping in mind the circumstances, it could have been a murder.

God bless the boy and his family has they endure this horrible experience. Accidents do happen, and as humans we all could have had something horrific happen to us, when it was just an honest mishap. We should not speculate what transpired at the store, but offer prayers and love to the grieving family.

too sad. My grandson is 6 1/2, and I would be in the hospital if this happened to him. I would never recover.

The truck apparently was inside the store instead of the parking lot, because the story lead indicated "the boy was killed inside the store."

GUNS DO NOT KILL PEOPLE!!! PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE!!! I am heart broken for this father and the childs family. Being a father myself this story almost made me cry. No one in this world will be able to tear this man down more than himself. To many times have I seen accidents whether they are avoidable or not get blown way out of proportion by outside sources and completely ruin more than one persons life. Remember people whe are all humans and make many mistakes. If this is a true accident the only thing we as people should do in our humanity would be to help this family out in their time of need as well as console the father.

Why was the chamber of the gun not checked before it was placed into the car? More importantly why was the gun in the childs reach in the back of the car and not locked in a secure case in the trunk of the car or glove compartment? This is sad I do not own a gun but people this is common sense! The father should be charged.

This fool could have killed his son out of rage

Inaccurate headline. There's a shocker. If the media was evenhanded, they would have made the headline "7 year old boy shot in parking lot" and also have a headline in a story right next to it, "Man thwarts robbery attempt by pulling gun" or Woman thwarts rape attempt by pulling gun" But of course, the media doesn't report those stories because they (the media) are so slanted.

SAD!!!!!! But the gun didn't kill anyone . Ignorance did! If guns kill people , pencils misspell words

so very sad!

Something is missing here. Every single range or gun store I've ever been in, EVERY ONE demands that ALL weapons be unloaded prior to entering the premises, and demand that you demonstrate that they're unloaded by physically showing the proprietors the empty chamber which they look at and verify.

When that guy exited the store, the gun would have been unloaded. The proprietor would not have allowed it to be loaded while the customer was at the sales counter. Store owners are very paranoid about that kind of stuff. VERY.

maybe the owner knew the patron and was not worried about it.
never know.

should have had a lock on the trigger to avoid accidental discharge or even better, Dad should not have had a handgun in the car with his child.