14 states have a “negligent storage law” on the books – Minnesota is one, North Dakota is not.
A negligent storage law makes gun-owning parents liable for crimes committed by their children with their firearms.
For example, Joe has a shotgun and his son Jesse knows that his dad hides the firearm under the bed. Jesse goes out and robs a convenience store, injuring a bystander in the process with the shotgun. Jesse is charged with the crime and Joe is charged with negligent storage of a firearm and now carries the a level of responsibility for the crime.
Texas is one of 14 states with a “negligent storage law,” which can make gun-owning parents criminally liable for crimes committed with their firearms by their children.
In the case of last week’s massacre, though, the suspect’s father appears to be immune from prosecution under that law. That is because the Texas law defines a child as 16 or younger, and the suspect is 17.
It Takes 2 with Amy Iler and JJ Gordon discuss the reality of owning a gun and the responsibility of not only using the gun properly – but storing it safely and securely as well.
Gun safes are only as safe as the passcode or key that keeps the lock shut. Sure, a stranger can’t get to the weapon – but can your 14 year old?
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(Amy Iler & JJ Gordon are talk-show hosts at 790 AM KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. “It Takes 2 with Amy & JJ” can be heard weekdays 11am-2pm. Follow Amy on Twitter @AmyKFGO. Follow JJ on Twitter @JJGodon701.)
