A Michigan couple has been sentenced to two years of probation for violating the state’s safe storage gun law after their 9-year-old son accidentally shot himself. Jessie and Jacob Gean were arraigned for firearm safe storage violations following the incident, where the boy found an unsecured gun in a jacket pocket and injured his left hand. Although they initially faced serious charges that could lead to five years in prison, they served only three days in jail.
The couple’s probation prohibits them from possessing firearms, underscoring the legal and safety implications of gun storage in households with minors. This case highlights a significant issue in Michigan, where recent laws require gun owners to store weapons unloaded and locked if children are present, as firearm violence remains a leading cause of death among youth. Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s Chief Medical Executive, emphasizes the need for public health approaches to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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