Michigan Man Faces Charges Under New Gun Storage Law After Toddler’s Tragic Shooting
Flint, Michigan – In a tragic incident that highlights the urgency of enforcing firearm safety measures, a 44-year-old man from Flint has become the first person to be charged under Michigan’s recently enacted gun storage law. The charges come in the aftermath of a horrifying incident where the man’s 2-year-old daughter accidentally shot herself in the head with his revolver, just one day after the law took effect on February 13.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton announced the charges during a press conference, emphasizing the swift action following the implementation of the law. The toddler is currently hospitalized in critical condition.
“This law went into effect one week ago today,” Leyton stated. “This incident occurred the very next day.”
The charges against the Flint man include first-degree child abuse, a felony violation of Michigan’s gun storage law, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and lying to a police officer in a violent crime investigation.
According to Flint police, they were alerted to the shooting when the man brought his injured daughter to a hospital. Upon investigating the man’s residence, authorities discovered two unsecured and loaded firearms in the bedroom – the revolver involved in the incident and a semiautomatic pistol. No gun locks or safes were found in the bedroom, raising concerns about the accessibility of the firearms.
This tragic event underscores the importance of responsible gun ownership and adherence to newly implemented legislation designed to prevent such accidents. The case serves as a poignant reminder of the potential consequences when firearms are not properly stored and secured, especially in households with young children.