By: Nicole N.
The idea of a
four-year-old boy committing murder with a firearm is mind-blowing. The idea of
two young boys killing with guns within days of each other is tragic.
On Saturday,
April 6th 2013, a four-year-old boy in Lebanon, Tennessee shot forty-eight-year-old
Josephine Fanning. Apparently the group of citizens had been enjoying a nice,
relaxing cookout. It wasn’t until Josephine’s husband, Wilson County
Sheriff's Deputy Daniel Fanning, went into his bedroom to show off an array of
firearms that chaos broke out. Deputy Daniel Fanning claims that the bedroom
normally remains locked unless he or his wife are inside. It was solely
unlocked to show a relative a couple guns. Deputy Fanning explains that within
seconds the young boy (Deputy
Daniels Fanning’s nephew) must have picked up the loaded pistol and shot
Josephine through the head. He also made a point of emailing CNN to explain
that the gun was not his duty weapon, which remains locked away at all times. Besides
that, Deputy Fanning would like everyone to know that he never usually has
loaded guns lying around; however, the reasoning for that particular gun being
loaded at a family cookout remains unknown. Now it lies in the State Bureau’s
hands to investigate, give autopsies, and later determine if any charges will
be filed.
Josephine Fanning
pictured above
Only days later,
another gun tragedy with a young child occurred. Around 7pm on Monday, April 9th,
2013 in New Jersey, a four-year-old boy killed his 6-year-old playmate. The
young murdered boy, Brandon Holt, was pronounced dead the very next day. The
two children had been playing in the yard earlier in the day until they decided
to go inside. "The 4-year-old ... retrieved a rifle within the
house, a .22-caliber rifle, came outside... A shot went out and the 6-year-old
was struck in the head" states the city’s police Chief Michael
Mastronardy. Neighbor, Debi Coto, is outraged at the incident claiming, “I'm
sad for the children involved and their families, but I'm angry with whoever
owns that gun and allowed a little child to get hold of it. A 4-year-old can't
load a gun.” Investigators refuse to announce whom the gun belongs to, but
state that the four-year-olds mother was “very upset” with the entire incident.
The Atlantic County prosecutor’s office is taking the investigation head on to
decide what charges will be filed and whom they will be filed against.
Pictured above is the
late Brandon Holt
These recent events clearly cause the gun debate to
resurface. On Wednesday, April10th 2013, a Republican senator and a Democratic
senator decided to increase background checks on citizens looking to get their
hands on a firearm. There is a good chance that this new compromise will create
a large debate starting Thursday on gun legislation. Due to this, the idea of
filibusters being used is rumored around Washington. A filibuster is “an action
such as a prolonged speech that obstructs progress in a legislative assembly
while not technically contravening the required procedures.” However, many
people continue to wonder if a background check will decrease the amount of
murders in the United States. Is it the actual firearm and gun salesmen’s fault
or will murder precede after all these new rules have been created?
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