Gun Tragedy Almost Happens

[The_RANDy_Corporation]

Breaking Story: Tragedy almost happens!

This is news?? Or is AP's picking it up just an example of the anti-gun hysteria sweeping the press?
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Mar 22, 2001 - 07:23 AM

Father Pleads Guilty in Kindergarten Gun Case
The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The father of a kindergartner who found a loaded handgun in a dresser drawer and took it to school pleaded guilty to a felony charge of child neglect.
Calvin and Shawnee Sistrunk both admitted in court Wednesday they shouldn't have left the gun where their 6-year-old daughter could reach it.

"It was an innocent mistake, something that should never have happened," said Calvin Sistrunk, 30. Shawnae Sistrunk, 29, avoided prosecution under a diversion agreement.

Their daughter found the .22 caliber, semiautomatic handgun in the drawer March 1, authorities said. They said the gun had one round ready to fire and its safety was off when school officials confiscated it. The 6-year-old was suspended.

Under their plea agreement with prosecutors, the parents will perform community service, including speaking out about firearm safety. They could have faced up to three years in prison.
http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGABD3NGMKC.html

[The_RANDy_Corporation]

I heard of another one today on the radio, think maybe in the Chicago area, but not sure. 8 year old with a piece of paper rolled into a rough "gun" shape stood up, pointed it and said to his class "I'm gonna kill you all."

The police were called and he is now charged with a terrorist act.

[Maggie_T]

Gun hysteria, of course. Since when is a quasi-event news? Some people have way too much time on their hands.

[Venus]

LOL! The terms of this plea bargain has such a hard-core Orwellian ring to it, it's laughable. Or maybe it's a Maoist ring. Or both. 'Speak out' about gun safety? LOL!

I think this was a huge mistake on the part of these parents, but ostracizing a 6 yr old? The punishment should fall strictly on the parents.

But, yes, the larger point is why is this in the news? What if the kid had taken an AIDS-coated dildo to school? Would AP care? What would same-sex parents have to 'speak out' about?