South Carolina aunt: toddler shooting gun ‘could have happened to anyone’

[Rob L 3,811]

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/oct/13/south-carolina-aunt-toddler-shooting-gun-grandmother

Gun owner speaks out after 2-year-old shoots grandmother

POSTED 7:54 AM, OCTOBER 13, 2015, BY WEB STAFF

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Stock photo

ROCK HILL, S.C. — The woman who owned the gun that a toddler found and accidentally shot his grandmother with is speaking out about her decision to store the weapon inside her vehicle.

“This mistake could’ve happened to anyone. It looks crazy on the outside,” the gun owner told WCNC.

The woman said she, her sister and her sister’s grandson had only been in the car for about five minutes when the 2-year-old shot his grandmother, who was sitting in the seat in front of him.

“Shock is not the word– beyond shock,” the gun owner said. “The sound was so muffled it sounded like a firecracker outside, and the bullet never exited my sister.”

She admitted that storing a .357 revolver, which doesn’t have a safety, in the pocket of the passenger’s seat wasn’t a good idea.

“I own a gun, I live alone, travel alone, I am vulnerable; that’s why I have my weapon in an accessible position,” she told WCNC. “I have a two-door car — I don’t carry children in my car, ever.”

The gun owner said she had picked up her family members because they needed a ride.

“He thought he was playing. Guns kill. What happened was serious — my sister could’ve died. I could’ve been in prison now — a college graduate with a degree in social work, getting my license in January — with everything lost behind me,” she said.

Now she said she will keep her gun locked in the dashboard or in the trunk.

The victim has since been released from the hospital.

According to WCNC, the gun owner said that the child was not in a car seat. Child services is investigating the incident.

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

topic title edited to match the linked article.

"Mentally Ill toddler caps grandma" is not acceptable.

Edited October 13, 2015 by charles!

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

topic title edited to match the linked article.

"Mentally Ill toddler caps grandma" is not acceptable.

I'm glad you saved the prior title for posterity though.

[Jacque67 7,328]

Ha ha. Love that she includes her credentials;)

[Dakine10 5,452]

Sure it could happen to anyone. Who among us hasn't shot their grandma at one time or another?

[TBoneTX 45,291]

Two-year-olds get into everything and need to be watched constantly.