NJ has safe gun storage law but authorities look the other way

[mota bhai 2,675]

Bryan Miller, formerly with Ceasefire NJ and currently executive director of Philadelphia-based Heeding God’s Call, said the shooting of a 6-year-old Toms River boy by his 4-year-old neighbor should compel lawmakers to strengthen requirements on safely storing guns.

...

According to the national Children’s Defense Fund, there are no federal laws that prevent child access to guns. New Jersey is among the 27 states with their own laws designed to prevent children from accessing firearms.

“We already have child-access gun laws in New Jersey but unfortunately prosecutors very seldom, if ever, charge adults who leave guns around,’’ Miller said. “They make the judgment the family has suffered enough. But if you don’t use the law, you do nothing to deter the next instance. If an adult left a gun around that a 4-year-old got to, that person should be charged for breaking the law.’’

http://blogs.app.com/capitolquickies/2013/04/09/the-toms-river-child-on-child-shooting-nj-has-safe-gun-storage-law-but-authorities-look-the-other-way/?odyssey=obinsite

[GandD 5,966]

If an adult left a gun around that a 4-year-old got to, that person should be charged for breaking the law.’’

http://blogs.app.com/capitolquickies/2013/04/09/the-toms-river-child-on-child-shooting-nj-has-safe-gun-storage-law-but-authorities-look-the-other-way/?odyssey=obinsite

Agreed.

[mota bhai 2,675]

Agreed.

But isn't it true that the family has gone through enough at that point? Isn't it true that if your negligence results in the injury or death of your own child or of a child in your home, that is a greater deterrent than being charged with a crime?

[GandD 5,966]

But isn't it true that the family has gone through enough at that point? Isn't it true that if your negligence results in the injury or death of your own child or of a child in your home, that is a greater deterrent than being charged with a crime?

This is a good point. But I gotta think that law can't be based on whether or not someone's learned their lesson or paid for their mistake. Its like if a drunk driver kills their own family. They may have been punished, but they also endangered others. They have to pay for that portion as well.

[mota bhai 2,675]

This is a good point. But I gotta think that law can't be based on whether or not someone's learned their lesson or paid for their mistake. Its like if a drunk driver kills their own family. They may have been punished, but they also endangered others. They have to pay for that portion as well.

So the purpose of law isn't to merely change behavior, it is punitive as well?

[GandD 5,966]

So the purpose of law isn't to merely change behavior, it is punitive as well?

Are we speaking in theoretical of practical terms? I think there are current laws that would address both. Wouldn't you say that murder trials are to hold people accountable for what they have done more so than change their behavior? I suppose speeding tickets could be seen in both lights though. They are an attempt to change behavior while making you pay for what you've done.

[GandD 5,966]

Are we speaking in theoretical or practical terms? I think there are current laws that would address both. Wouldn't you say that murder trials are to hold people accountable for what they have done more so than change their behavior? I suppose speeding tickets could be seen in both lights though. They are an attempt to change behavior while making you pay for what you've done.

[mota bhai 2,675]

Are we speaking in theoretical of practical terms? I think there are current laws that would address both. Wouldn't you say that murder trials are to hold people accountable for what they have done more so than change their behavior? I suppose speeding tickets could be seen in both lights though. They are an attempt to change behavior while making you pay for what you've done.

I started responding to this but decided to see what others said first. My thoughts on this are all over the map...

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

But isn't it true that the family has gone through enough at that point? Isn't it true that if your negligence results in the injury or death of your own child or of a child in your home, that is a greater deterrent than being charged with a crime?

Well, the fact that a crime was committed obviously didn't deter the criminal in question but holding them accountable to the letter of the law may actually deter the next one.

[Karee 4,191]

Unfortunately these days, the sentenced passed for crimes are 99% punitive and 1% rehabilitative. Meaning the legal system is not concerned about fixing the criminal, they are concerned about punishing the criminal. The mentality now to prevent future crimes is to either give people death sentences, or life without parole, which they like to do alot nowadays. Then if they act up in prison, throw them in solitary for years. Pretty ironic for a country that claims to be a "world leader"

Edited April 17, 2013 by Karee

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Unfortunately these days, the sentenced passed for crimes are 99% punitive and 1% rehabilitative. Meaning the legal system is not concerned about fixing the criminal, they are concerned about punishing the criminal. The mentality now to prevent future crimes is to either give people death sentences, or life without parole, which they like to do alot nowadays. Then if they act up in prison, throw them in solitary for years. Pretty ironic for a country that claims to be a "world leader"

The prison industrial complex requires inmates. How the hell are these corporations supposed to grow their bottom lines if we start rehabilitating people?

[Karee 4,191]

The prison industrial complex requires inmates. How the hell are these corporations supposed to grow their bottom lines if we start rehabilitating people?

Yeah I forgot about that part of it. It's mostly minorities anyway, so who gives a $hit? Money is more important than peoples lives. Hell they're getting free room and board. They should be happy they don't have to sell crack on the street to survive

/sarcasm

Surprisingly, the smart-a$$ statement I made above is the way alot of people think.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Yeah I forgot about that part of it. It's mostly minorities anyway, so who gives a $hit? Money is more important than peoples lives. Hell they're getting free room and board. They should be happy they don't have to sell crack on the street to survive

/sarcasm

Surprisingly, the smart-a$$ statement I made above is the way alot of people think.

Sadly, yes.

[Ban Hammer 13,677]

Well, the fact that a crime was committed obviously didn't deter the criminal in question but holding them accountable to the letter of the law may actually deter the next one.

hence the concept of the death penalty.

[GandD 5,966]

hence the concept of the death penalty.

If you tell people they'll be killed if they break the law, they won't break the law because they're afraid of being put to death. This works 100% of the time.

/also sarcasm just in case anyone doesn't get it.