Innocent children die every month because gun owners don’t properly store their firearms. This article is about a 15-year-old that is being charged with manslaughter when the parents are really at fault.
On Monday, November 26th 2019, just four days before Thanksgiving, two innocent young teens lost their lives to what appears to be the negligence of an adult.
14-year-old Julio Labrada and 15-year-old Jose Villarreal III were hanging out with their friend, 15-year-old Joseph Blanco in his garage when Blanco evidently found a loaded gun and started playing with it. What happened next is nothing short of tragic. The gun discharged a single shot striking both boys with that single bullet. One was hit in the chest and one in the head with the bullet finally coming to rest in the water heater behind them.
What can we learn from this horrific tragedy? Well, we can learn a few things. The information that has been reported is very limited, so we have little to go on, but we can certainly make a few assumptions. The only way I can imagine a gun would be left loaded in a garage, of all places, is because a parent went to the local range, possibly that weekend, and just plopped their range bag on the floor or a shelf when they got back.
Proper Storage
We teach the importance of proper firearms storage. The idea is to keep unauthorized hands off of them. This would be children, guests, and home invaders among others. There is absolutely no excuse for not having a proper safe to keep your loaded firearms in. If this kid’s parents took the extra step to ensure they properly stored their guns after practicing at the range, these three families would not be dealing with the anguish they are going through.
There are some fantastic storage options out there, some better than others. Vaultek safes are my favorite. They are high tech, incredibly secure, and are available in a variety of shapes and sizes.
We carry the entire product line for the person who lives the concealed carry lifestyle. If this is you and you have yet to purchase a suitable fast-access gun safe, you seriously need to make this a priority. They also make excellent gifts. I use the Vaultek RS500i in my bedroom and the Barikade Series 1 in my car.
I can get into them instantly making them great options for loaded guns used for self defense. Take a moment and check them out. They always ship fast. Click Here to learn more about them.
In a couple weeks, we’ll continue with part two of this article and cover the remaining lessons that can be learned from this tragedy.
Be safe.
– Joe Shahoud
Joe Shahoud is the owner and lead instructor at Safe Family Defense LLC, a firearms training academy that serves the greater Columbia, SC area specializing in pistol, concealed weapons permits, personal defense, and general education in personal safety. Visit their classes page to see what is available and enroll.
Joe is also the owner of Safe Family Safes, an online retailer that specializes in fast-access smart gun safes and other gear essential to the concealed carry lifestyle.
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