ChiangShih
Regular Member
http://www.fox4kc.com/news/wdaf-11yearold-child-shot-in-the-neck-20110705,0,2000561.story
The parents of the 11 year old girl that was shot in the neck by a stray celebratory bullet are calling for stricter gun laws in the KC area. They seek to make it a felony to discharge a firearm into the air. Currently the offence comes with a misdemeanor charge; although, I doubt it remains a misdemeanor if it results in someones death. If nothing else I'm sure there are already laws in place that would cover harsher punishments for individuals who do this; something in the realm of negligent homicide. If firing the gun within city limits is a crime and it then results in someones death, is that not the definition of negligent homicide? That would also make it a felony.
What happened to this girl and her family is truly a tragedy and I could not imagine, nor would I want to imagine, what they are going through; however, are more gun laws to punish something that laws already exist to cover the way to go? Seeking felony charges for discharging a firearm within city limits when it -doesn't- harm anyone seems iffy. If this law goes through it opens an avenue for disproportionate punishment; a negligent discharge, possibly a manner of self defense, could result in a felony conviction.
Thoughts?
The parents of the 11 year old girl that was shot in the neck by a stray celebratory bullet are calling for stricter gun laws in the KC area. They seek to make it a felony to discharge a firearm into the air. Currently the offence comes with a misdemeanor charge; although, I doubt it remains a misdemeanor if it results in someones death. If nothing else I'm sure there are already laws in place that would cover harsher punishments for individuals who do this; something in the realm of negligent homicide. If firing the gun within city limits is a crime and it then results in someones death, is that not the definition of negligent homicide? That would also make it a felony.
What happened to this girl and her family is truly a tragedy and I could not imagine, nor would I want to imagine, what they are going through; however, are more gun laws to punish something that laws already exist to cover the way to go? Seeking felony charges for discharging a firearm within city limits when it -doesn't- harm anyone seems iffy. If this law goes through it opens an avenue for disproportionate punishment; a negligent discharge, possibly a manner of self defense, could result in a felony conviction.
Thoughts?