A 2-year-old boy in Maine injured himself and his parents when he accidentally shot them Wednesday after grabbing a loaded handgun off a nightstand in their bedroom.
The child shot his 22-year-old mother in the leg, and father, 25, in the back of his head, reports the Times Record. The mother’s injury was described as a “clean gunshot wound,” and the father received a minor injury.
The boy was reportedly injured when the gun recoiled and hit his face.
All three were transported to a local hospital near West Bath and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Sagadahoc County Sheriff Joel Merry said his department is investigating the incident.
“The question of how the boy was able to pick up and fire the weapon is of great concern and is being investigated,” Merry wrote in a statement, according to the Times Record. “This situation, while disturbing, could have had an even more tragic ending. We are thankful that the injuries were not more serious.”
Merry said that so far no charges have been issued, adding that his office offers free trigger locks upon request.
“In the 12 years I’ve been sheriff, we’ve never had a situation like this,” he said. “If you have children, you really should be securing any firearm in a locked closet or cabinet or have a trigger lock.”
The accident is prompting the Maine Gun Safety Coalition to renew their push for the passage of LD 759, legislation that would penalize parents when a child gets access to a loaded firearm, notes WGME.
“What happened [Wednesday] is a sad, shocking example of why we need LD 759. Children are curious, and this legislation sends the message that it is not okay to leave a loaded firearm where a kid might get it,” said state Rep. Vicki Doudera (D), a sponsor of the bill.
“I hope that my fellow legislators will support this critically important child safety measure which we have seen time and again is needed in our state,” Doudera added.