Welcome back, and thanks for joining us here at The Kronzek Firm for this discussion about unsecured weapons in the home, and the terrible consequences that can bring. As we shared with you last time, there is a family in Flint right now whose decision to store loaded handguns in the same closet as the children’s toys has resulted in tragedy. But in addition to the one little girl’s finger that was lost, there may be so many other losses ahead – including all of the other children in the family.
Keep ALL weapons in your home secured!
If you choose to own weapons, specifically guns, and there are children in your home, PLEASE make the extra effort to secure your weapons. As Michigan law states, “Firearm ownership carries with it a responsibility of safeguarding the welfare of others and you when handling firearms. Accident prevention is the userís responsibility. It is the responsibility of a firearm owner to know what the law is pertaining to ownership, possession, transportation and use of firearms.”
The law goes on to say that “Both the ammunition and the firearm should be stored in a safe place out of the reach of children. You may be criminally and civilly liable for any harm caused by a person less than 18 years of age who lawfully gains unsupervised access to your firearm if unlawfully stored.”
Unsecured weapons may cost you ALL of your children!
The Michigan State Police are very clear on the dangers of storing unsecured weapons in your home. “The improper storage of a firearm at home could result in the arming of a criminal breaking into the home, or the injury or death of a child who discovers the firearm and plays with it.”
In the DHHS Field guide for CPS Investigation, under the title ‘Threatened Harm’, there is a list of situations that are to be considered threatening to a child. One of those listed is “Resides in a home where there are unsecured loaded weapons.” So at this point it is pretty clear – if you have weapons in your home, and children live with you, or come into your home regularly, you MUST make the effort to keep all of your weapons properly secured to avoid tragic accidents.
Being accused of child abuse or neglect has life-long consequences!
Securing a weapon only takes a few minutes out of your day (if that). Facing a child abuse allegation, or being charged with abuse or neglect can change every minute of your entire future! A parent accused of abusing or neglecting a child can lose access to their children, have their reputation destroyed, and in certain cases, even lose their professional license, which jeopardizes their chance to work and earn a living.
At The Kronzek Firm, we understand that people make mistakes, misjudge their actions, and sometimes forget important details under stress. We know that there’s more to your story than CPS or the police are recognizing. So if you or a loved one have been accused of endangering or abusing a child, call the highly skilled CPS defense attorneys at The Kronzek Firm at 866 766 5245. We are here to help you!