Concerns over teenagers’ access to firearms in the United States have intensified following a tragic incident in Washington state, where a 15-year-old boy allegedly killed five members of his own family. The victims included his parents and three siblings, aged 7, 9, and 13.
On October 21, deputies responding to a distress call discovered the bodies of the family members. The teenager has been charged with five counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. According to court filings cited by USA Today, the boy used his father’s gun, which was stored in a lockbox to which only he knew the code. His next court appearance is scheduled for January 8.
This incident has reignited the debate over gun control and the ease with which minors can access firearms in the U.S. According to a September report by the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, gun violence is the leading cause of death among children in the country. In response to similar tragedies, authorities have begun prosecuting parents who allow their children access to weapons.
In a related case, the father of a suspected shooter at Apalachee High School in Georgia was charged with involuntary manslaughter, second-degree murder, and cruelty to children for permitting his son to possess a weapon. Similarly, the parents of a mass school shooter in Michigan were convicted of involuntary manslaughter following the deaths of four students at Oxford High School in 2021.
“The bottom line is kids should not have guns,” said Jennifer Dolan-Waldman, vice chair of the Seattle-based group Grandmothers Against Gun Violence, in an interview with USA Today. She emphasized the widespread issue of unrestricted access to firearms by youths across the nation.
Data from a July 2023 report by Everytown for Gun Safety reveals that about 40% of young Americans say they have at least “somewhat easy” access to a gun, with 21% reporting “very easy” access. Additionally, nearly 17% of youths plan to have access to a firearm in the future.
The prevalence of firearms in youth-related homicides is stark. The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation data indicates that around 90% of homicides by teens aged 15 to 17 in 2019 involved firearms, a significant increase from approximately 60% in 1980.
The recent incident in Washington underscores the urgent need for stricter measures to prevent minors from accessing guns. Advocates argue that comprehensive legislation and responsible gun storage practices are critical steps toward reducing gun violence among youths.
(Cover image: Students gather at the Tennessee State Capitol building to demand action on gun reform laws in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., April 3, 2023. /CFP)
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Concerns grow over teen gun access in U.S. after 15-year-old kills 5
cgtn.com
