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topicnews · September 15, 2024

8-year-old from Nashville dies after finding a loaded shotgun

8-year-old from Nashville dies after finding a loaded shotgun

An 8-year-old boy died when he shot himself with a loaded shotgun he found in his grandmother’s house on North Second Street Saturday night, Metro Nashville police said.

On Sunday morning, police announced that the child had died. Detectives from the child welfare agency are investigating the shooting, police said.

In a social media post, MNPD urged gun owners to secure their weapons.

“Gun owners can help prevent tragedies like this by using gun locks to secure their weapons,” the agency wrote. Free gun locks are available at MNPD headquarters, police precincts and at the MNPD Central Records Division public desk in Madison.

Tennessee does not require gun owners to lock up or store their weapons securely. According to KFF, the nonprofit health organization, 26 states have laws requiring guns to be stored securely.

According to Everytown Research, the research arm of the gun violence prevention nonprofit Everytown for Gun Safety, secure storage dramatically reduces gun violence among youth. The nonprofit says that households where firearms and ammunition are stored locked see up to 85% fewer unintentional injuries.

Tennessee residents can pick up free cable locks from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. The locks can secure most shotguns, rifles, pistols and revolvers. Free pickup locations throughout the state are listed on the Department of Safety and Homeland Security website.

Evan Mealins is a justice reporter for The Tennessean. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter. @EvanMeAlens.

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