Gun control advocates have 2, new voices in the war against guns. The parents of an 8 year old boy are recoiling in shock after experiencing gun violence in their own home. They are outraged after having their lives destroyed by gun violence, & have filed a lawsuit against the gun manufacturer. "We came home to find that my pistol had been used," said the father. "My young son used it to shoot my wife's antique vase. It was completely shattered. Tiny pieces all over the living room floor. It's terrible. I mean, I've been a gun owner all my life. I've owned several. But after I saw what a gun did inside in my own home, I'm through with them. I've had it. No more guns. And we decided to sue the gun company."
And your wife feels the same way?
The boy's mother nodded, as she wiped a tear from her cheek. "I was horrified when I saw what had happened," she said. "How can we raise our son safely, when there's so much gun violence? It's gotten out of control. But when it happens right inside the home, it's so much worse. Our son is a victim of gun violence. The gun company needs to pay for what they did. My son is traumatized. I mean, he's only 8 years old, & he could've been killed! It's attempted murder!"
So your lawsuit is for attempted murder?
"No. Traumatizing my son was bad enough. But what pushed me over the edge was something much worse. It's because of what happened to my beautiful vase. I paid hundreds of dollars for it! It was an antique. It was my favorite vase. And now it's destroyed! Thanks to that evil gun company. They can't get away with it!"
It's the gun company's fault that your son shot your vase?
"Well, it's not OUR fault! We didn't do anything. We're good parents. We're responsible parents. He never would've used the gun if it didn't exist in the first place. We've ALWAYS been responsible parents! That's why we didn't take our son with us to the party we went to that night. That would be irresponsible! We're not like those losers who don't know where their kids are, or what they're doing."
You went to a party the night of the shooting?
"Yeah, it was a great party. We had so much fun. It was one of the best parties we ever went to. I can't wait until the next one. But we weren't gone very long. Less than a day, I think. And we didn't come home late. It wasn't even noon the next day. And my husband wasn't drunk when we drove home. He's very responsible when it comes to alcohol. He never drinks more than a case of beer at one time. He knows his limits."
How did your son get a loaded gun?
"Well, my husband always kept it on the coffee table. In the living room. And he always made it clear to our son that he's not supposed to touch it. That's how responsible he is. He's always been very safety conscious when it comes to guns. But no matter how good you are as a parent, a gun company can totally destroy your life. I mean, why can't they make a gun that's child proof? Like those medicine containers with child proof caps? Why can't they make a gun with a child proof cap?"
So a lawsuit is the answer?
"Of course it is! We have a friend who's an attorney, & that's what he told us. He said a lawsuit is the only answer. I mean, he's a lawyer. He knows what he's talking about. We're suing the gun company for everything they have. We're going to make them pay! And then we're going to go on a long cruise to the Bahamas. We're going to need a long cruise to get over the trauma of all of this. We've always wanted to go on one. I can't wait. I could really use a good tan."