Girl, 5, shoots herself in foot with dad's gun while playing at Philadelphia home

A 5-year-old Philadelphia girl shot herself while playing with a gun Tuesday night, according to police.


The girl was home in the Kensington neighborhood with her two siblings and her father when the gun went off -- hitting her in the big toe, police said.

The girl's father rushed her to St. Christopher's Hospital with what police called minor injuries.

Read more news from NBC10.com

It's unclear how the girl got a hold of her father's gun and if her siblings were also playing with it.


The investigation would continue into Wednesday. Police said the girl's father owns the gun because he works in private security.

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Gun kills big toe!

  • 1 vote
Reply#83 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:13 PM EST

If she had dropped a brick on her foot we wouldnt be reading this....lol... anti gun much MSDNC?

  • 4 votes
Reply#84 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:14 PM EST

Yeah, this five year old girl only lost a toe! How is this about guns? This should be about bricks instead! You're the worst MSDNC! Why can't you write stories against bricks!? Oh right, because she shot a gun left out by her father. If only security gaurds were armed with bricks. I'd like that story better. Be more anti brick MSDNC!

    #84.1 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 4:29 PM EST
    Reply

    For everyone who thinks all guns belong in a gun safe, think about when you need that gun to protect your family...do you say "hey, wait a second - let me try to remember the combo for my gun safe (or find the key)" while in an intensely insane situation. Have some sense of reality. It was a stupid accident, not something that was done intentionally by the father. Accidents happen all the time, by many different means.

    • 3 votes
    Reply#85 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:14 PM EST

    Incorrect. A gun can be accessed in less than two seconds from a safe that only requires your finger prints. And for a gun owner with children, they are very cost effective. As in, keeping your children's toes and not paying hospital bills effective.

      #85.1 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 4:39 PM EST
      Reply

      There are over 3 million people who are killed or wounded by knifes each year...Thousands die from driving while talking on cell phones or texting,countless accidents of all kinds happen everyday...and yet the liberal media runs a story like this because of their liberal anti gun agenda ...This isn't news this is propaganda.

      • 4 votes
      Reply#86 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:16 PM EST

      My brother owns several guns and rifles, all of which are unloaded and locked in a gun safe when not in use because there was a child in the house. Both of my brothers children are familiar with the use of both weapons. Why is it so difficult for others to be just as responsible. There were always guns in our house when I was a child and we knew where they were. We also knew that they were unloaded and, as we became older, we were told where the clips for the guns were kept. We also knew that they were not toys.

      • 1 vote
      Reply#87 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:20 PM EST

      Susie Cue, I respect your opinion and agree with parts of it. I too believe guns belong in a secure location, not necessarily in a safe but in a restricted access location. I was also raised in a household with guns and my father took a different approach. All guns are loaded and should be treated as such so you should never point it at anything you didn't intend to shoot. Now in all honesty only his pistol in the headboard and the .22 were loaded but if you treat all guns as loaded nobody in their right mind would be playing with them. The 5 year old isn't old enough to rationalize this but the father failed in controlling access to this firearm.

      • 1 vote
      #87.1 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:29 PM EST

      Steelebs66; Thank you. After all the kids were out of the house my father used to sleep with his .357 next to him. He always said that you should never point a gun at someone unless you intended to use it. Then there was the time we had a prowler and he told us all to stay in the house, but my mother didn't listen and she almost got shot. Until our house was sold after my parents deaths there was a hole in the garage.

      The problem here is that the child was not taught gun safety. She was lucky it was only her toe.

      • 1 vote
      #87.2 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:28 PM EST
      Reply

      Well the liberals solution to everything is to curb liberties to make up for the stupidity of people, rather than actually resolving the stupidity of people. I don't think such duct tape fixes that seem to become increasingly popular will really solve anything in the long run. We are replacing the opportunity to be responsibly free because we don't seem to want to actually take the difficult steps necessary to resolve stupidity. So what is it America, do you want to remain stupid and not be free or bandage your wounds?

      When I was about 10 years old I never would have imagined myself being an adult in a pre-tyrannical society. 15 years later, here I am.

      Oh, and I am from the Philly area. Kensington...go figure.

      • 4 votes
      Reply#88 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:21 PM EST

      The left does not care about the victims of guns whether accidental or intentionally. If they did, they would be screaming about the gun violence in the hoods of Chicago. Their goal isn't the absense of gun injuries and deaths. Their goal is to strip citizens of their constitutional rights. Therefore, the more people injured and killed by guns, especially when the gun is owned legally, the more they like it because it strengthens their position and they know the media is going to play it up because they have the same Marxist agenda.

      That's why stories like this one are headlined. In the last 24 hours since this incident happened, how many children were brutalized or assulted by bad parents, or killed in other types of accidents? Why don't we see those stories? Because it wouldn't further the progressive agenda. That is ABSOLUTE PROOF that the liberal media is more concerned about pushing their agenda than the victims like this little girl.

      • 4 votes
      Reply#89 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:22 PM EST

      oops...so much for the argument of Security people having more safety training.

        Reply#90 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:24 PM EST

        Seriously ???? is this newsworthy??? I'm sure there are lots of 5 yr old girls across the country that have hurt their foot. I bet one even got cutt off in an accident somewhere....amazing the anti-gun BS comming from the media....they are the "HYPE" driving the crazies to kill people

        • 2 votes
        Reply#91 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:24 PM EST

        too bad she did not shoot her dad in the ass for leaving a gun within her reach.

        • 2 votes
        Reply#92 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:25 PM EST

        alumette, you just gave my laugh for the day. Thank you.

          #92.1 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:30 PM EST
          Reply

          I am a firearm owner, CCW holder, and a father. My firearms are kept out of my children's reach, and they both know not to touch them, or my grandchildren will feel the spankings they will get.

          This father was extremely irresponsible in allowing his daughter to be able to get to his firearm. He and his children need education in the safe handling, and storage of firearms. More laws, and punishments will not help. Education is the key.

          • 2 votes
          Reply#93 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:29 PM EST

          This is a case of an irresponsible gun owner and parent. No excuses. He needs to be prosecuted. I own guns and I consider myself a responsible gun owner. I am overly cautions to the point of being obsessed. I have no problem tightening the gun laws. In fact it astounds me that to buy a handgun in a store I have to have a federal background check and wait 2 days (I do have to fill out a federal and state form that declares I am not a criminal or crazy) to pick up the gun. However, I can sell that gun to anyone with no restrictions. That just makes no sense. I am truly open to discussion on the subject and I would favor tightening restrictions. I am just sick and tired of idiots calling me a "gun nut". To those idiots: if you want to talk constructively, great otherwise go f^%$# yourself.

          • 2 votes
          Reply#94 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:37 PM EST

          Prosecution is not warranted. Accidents happen, and criminalizing them only adds more problems. The child's injuries are trouble enough. This country is about freedoms and liberty. There are too many restrictions on guns now. The constitution is clear when it says "shall not be infringed." This is a gun country and always will be. As such, guns should be included in school curriculum. Education is the key, not loss of liberty.

            #94.1 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:53 PM EST

            RFLOL: However, I can sell that gun to anyone with no restrictions. WRONG.

            Federal gun laws prohibit felons from having any contact with firearms and ammunition. The laws specifically criminalize the possession, shipment, transportation and receipt of firearms or ammunition by a felon in interstate or foreign commerce. Federal law also prohibits a person charged with a felony from shipping, transporting or receiving a firearm or ammunition in a manner that affects interstate and foreign commerce.

            Long Gun Possession

            a. Possess - A person of any age may possess a LG (rifle, shotgun).

            b. Purchase - A person of any age may purchase a LG from a non- licensee (not a gun dealer) who resides in the same State as the purchaser.

            c. Gift / Loan - A person of any age may receive a LG as a gift or a loan from a non-licensee who resides in the same State as the recipient.

            d. Outside State of Residency - A person may not receive a LG from a non-licensee who resides in another State, except by:

            1) Will or intestate succession, § 922 (a)(5)(A) giver, § 922 (a)(3)(A), receiver, or

            2) Temporary loan or rental for lawful sporting purposes, § 922 (a)(5)(B), or

            3)The non-resident may send or deliver the long gun to a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) in the receiver’s State for purchase from the FFL, §922 (a)(2)(A)

            e. It is a felony violation to willfully violate the residency laws: § 922 (a)(5) transferor’s violation, § 922 (a)(3) receiver’s violation, up to 5 years in prison.

            4. Hand Gun Possession

            a. A person under 18 years of age is a juvenile under Federal law and may not possess a handgun or handgun only ammo, §§ 922 (x)(2), (x)(3), & (x)(5), but exceptions exist, see Section C.11.

            b. Possess - A person 18 years of age or older may possess a HG (pistol, revolver).

            c. Purchase - A person 18 years of age or older may purchase a HG from a non-licensee (not a gun dealer) who resides in the same State as the purchaser.

            d. Gift / Loan- A person 18 years of age or older may receive a HG as a gift or loan from a non-licensee who resides in the same State as the recipient.

            e. Outside State of Residency - A person may not receive a HG from a non-licensee who resides in another State, except by:

            1) Will or intestate succession, § 922 (a)(5)(A) giver, § 922 (a)(3)(A) receiver, or

            2) Temporary loan or rental for lawful sporting purposes, § 922 (a)(5)(B), or

            3)The non-resident may deliver the HG (see § 1715, HGs non-mailable) to an FFL in the receiver’s State for purchase from the FFL, § 922 (a)(2)(A).

            f. It is a felony violation to willfully violate the residency laws: § 922 (a)(5) transferor’s violation, § 922 (a)(3) receiver’s violation, up to 5 years in prison.

            Illegal Alien – may not possess a firearm or ammo affecting interstate commerce, § 922 (g)(5), 10 years.

            Transferring Personal Firearms (sell, give, loan)

            a. A resident of a State may transfer a firearm to a resident of the same State.

            1) But may not transfer a Hand Gun to a person under 18 years of age, § 922 (x)(1), 1 year or 10 years; see exceptions, § 922 (x)(3).

            b. A resident of a State may not transfer a firearm to a resident of another State, § 922 (a)(5), 5 years, but ...

            1)May transfer a firearm to a non-resident via a Will or intestate succession (no Will but State law describes division of estate), § 922 (a)(5)(A). May loan or rent a firearm to a non-resident for temporary lawful sporting purposes, § 922 (a)(5)(B). May deliver a firearm to a non-resident by first delivering the firearm to an FFL in the recipient’s State, the transfer would then take place at the FFL’s premises, § 922 (a)(1)(A).

            Plus depending on the state: If you sell a firearm to a felon you can get in a lot of trouble.

            So to say I can sell that gun to anyone with no restrictions=BS.

              #94.2 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:16 PM EST

              blah, Blah, Blah..............

                #94.3 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:36 PM EST

                Madman just bitch-slapped by the Leatherneck using FACTS!

                Anti-Gunnut or idiot?

                  #94.4 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 2:12 PM EST

                  Really, bitch slaapped.

                  mpa. Really, bitch slapped? You are one articulate d)(*head.

                  Leatherneck. Semper Fi. Let me respond:

                  Your point c. Purchase - A person 18 years of age or older may purchase a HG from a non-licensee (not a gun dealer) who resides in the same State as the purchaser

                  My point: I can sell to stranger, no background check outside of the fact that I would have validated the above.

                  Seriously, and you think that is ok? I would have no problem with the transaction going thru a dealer. Buyer pays the fee and I would feel at least a little better.

                    #94.5 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 3:53 PM EST

                    MadMan-2059868: I get your point yes you can sell to anyone without checking them out, yet if you do and that person is:

                    1. Illegal Alien

                    2. Underage

                    3. A felon

                    You can and will be charged with multiple crimes...

                    Now with that said a Jury can aquite you of the charges or find you guilty.

                    I use to know a guy who did sell to a felon he did not know that at the time.

                    He was found guilty and sent to jail for 12 years, when he got out he too was now a felon so he lost all his guns and all his gun rights too.

                      #94.6 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 5:00 PM EST
                      Reply

                      Just a lot of random stuff here:

                      The dad in this case was grossly negligent, some how I doubt the gun just called out to the girl and then shot her when she came close.

                      Guns are tools, and have many intended uses.

                      There are millions of guns in this country, most are used by law abiding citizens as intended and some aren't. Just as a baseball bat intended to hit a baseball is generally used for it's intended purpose, but some are used to maim and kill, yeah, yeah, it's easier with a gun, but that isn't the point.

                      According to the CDC 1 in 5 deaths in the US is caused by cigarettes 443,000 for the last recorded year. I'd think that banning cigaretts would be a more immediate concern if saving lives was really the cause behind banning guns. Then add the BILLIONS in damage caused my said cigarettes. I find it funny that a product that if used as directed will for the greater part, shorten your life expectancy, cause all manner of cancers, cause various orther health issues and even affect those around, and ultimately kill you, is legal and doesn't have near as many opponents. If you missed it earlier, all the previously mentioned effects are when used as directed.

                      Lets not even talk about alcohol related deaths and it's cost on our country.

                      Firearm homocides for the last recorded year, 11,493. The number of lives saved is debatable, but much higher than that and I'd stick my neck out there and say more than tobacco and alcohol combined, since the begining of time.

                      An assualt weapon is capable of select fire, i.e. can be fired semi auto( one round per trigger pull) or full auto (more than one round per trigger pull). So the guns that much of the media and anyone who is against guns call "assualt weapons" aaren't and are deliberately called as such to make them seem more menacing.

                      An interesting qoute: "A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexually and emotional maturity" Sigmund Freud, General Introduction to Psychoanalysis (1952).

                      Oh well...

                      • 2 votes
                      Reply#95 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:42 PM EST

                      I'm not a gun owner and never will be but this article is pure political propagands designed to further the progressive Marxist agenda of the current administration.

                      • 2 votes
                      Reply#96 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:44 PM EST

                      I'm not a gun owner and never will be but this article is pure political propagands designed to further the progressive Marxist agenda of the current administration.

                      You should just stop posting.

                      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9715182

                      Injuries and deaths due to firearms in the home.

                      Kellermann AL, Somes G, Rivara FP, Lee RK, Banton JG.

                      Source

                      Center for Injury Control, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.

                      Abstract

                      OBJECTIVE:

                      Determine the relative frequency with which guns in the home are used to injure or kill in self-defense, compared with the number of times these weapons are involved in an unintentional injury, suicide attempt, or criminal assault or homicide.

                      METHODS:

                      We reviewed the police, medical examiner, emergency medical service, emergency department, and hospital records of all fatal and nonfatal shootings in three U.S. cities: Memphis, Tennessee; Seattle, Washington; and Galveston, Texas.

                      RESULTS:

                      During the study interval (12 months in Memphis, 18 months in Seattle, and Galveston) 626 shootings occurred in or around a residence. This total included 54 unintentional shootings, 118 attempted or completed suicides, and 438 assaults/homicides. Thirteen shootings were legally justifiable or an act of self-defense, including three that involved law enforcement officers acting in the line of duty. For every time a gun in the home was used in a self-defense or legally justifiable shooting, there were four unintentional shootings, seven criminal assaults or homicides, and 11 attempted or completed suicides.

                      CONCLUSIONS:

                      Guns kept in homes are more likely to be involved in a fatal or nonfatal accidental shooting, criminal assault, or suicide attempt than to be used to injure or kill in self-defense.

                        #96.1 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:58 PM EST

                        I don't see the statistic about how many times a gun was brandished but not needed to be used. To either scare away someone or hold them at gun point until the police arrived.

                          #96.2 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:12 PM EST

                          And you never will, Kevin. The anti-gunners will only talk "kills."

                            #96.3 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:55 PM EST

                            Try factoring in Chicago.

                              #96.4 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 8:09 PM EST
                              Reply

                              There's your 2nd amendment. We need protection from 5 year old little girl's toes.

                              • 1 vote
                              Reply#97 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:46 PM EST

                              Yep...never the stupid parent's fault..always the fault of the liberties which allow stupid people to do stupid thing. Let's keep preaching tolerance of stupidity while taking away all our freedoms so that stupid can no longer inflict damage!

                              • 2 votes
                              #97.1 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:57 PM EST

                              Eugene , I believe all the outlaws want guns to be outlawed . Think about it.

                                #97.2 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 2:03 PM EST
                                Reply

                                It's unclear how the girl got a hold of her father's gun

                                I think it is very clear how the girl got a hold of her father's gun...the idiot didn't lock it away when he brought it into the house! Not only that, he left it loaded. He should be charged with negligence, child endangerment, etc. Thank God she is going to be ok and no one else was hurt. Take the gun away from irresponsible that nut before someone gets killed!!!

                                • 1 vote
                                Reply#98 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:54 PM EST

                                This guy is an irresponsible gun owner, and should not be allowed to have a gun, especially when there are children in his household.

                                • 1 vote
                                Reply#99 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:57 PM EST

                                I completely agree. You would think it should be that straight forward. Unfortunately, this country has become so ass-backwards I'm quite certain the system will screw this up too.

                                  #99.1 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:18 PM EST
                                  Reply

                                  We have a case out here in the central valley of California where the father had guns in the house. One of his young children got hold of one, shot his step-sister to death. The father has been on trial, in jail, and because someone found bullets in his garage after moving from one residence to another, he went back to jail. Haven't heard whether he's out or not, but there are judgements that come from the courts here in California that you all out there haven't heard of -- yet.

                                  There have been some good posts on here today. If the man was a "security guard" he should have had specialized training for being armed...which should have included how to properly stow his weapon when off duty. I am also a security guard, (unarmed) but I would think his employer should take a second look at this baffoon and re-train him or possibly fire him. I am not sure if this would be reported to the agency that controls his guard card or not, however, he should be charged with child endangerment.

                                    Reply#100 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:00 PM EST

                                    a child gets a hold of a fathers gun(parental neglect), how many kids die each year in backyard pools or lakes? How many kids are injured and killed at the hands of their own parents or baby daddys or mamma's boyfriend? How many kids are injured with head injuries from sports? then there are cars, bikes, snowmobiles, snowboards, skies, skateboards, jet skies, boats...etc.etc.etc......Get off the guns people. In this case the father was negligent. NOT THE GUN, when will you people get it?

                                      Reply#101 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:00 PM EST

                                      Good post, This story has more to do with child neglect than guns.

                                      • 2 votes
                                      #101.1 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:04 PM EST

                                      a child gets a hold of a fathers gun(parental neglect), how many kids die each year in backyard pools or lakes? How many kids are injured and killed at the hands of their own parents or baby daddys or mamma's boyfriend? How many kids are injured with head injuries from sports? then there are cars, bikes, snowmobiles, snowboards, skies, skateboards, jet skies, boats...etc.etc.etc......Get off the guns people. In this case the father was negligent. NOT THE GUN, when will you people get it?

                                      Those are not important statistics to look at when considering gun control. The important statistic is the ratio of accidents, crimes, and suicide attempts compared to self-defense. Just as I posted above. That should give you some perspective.

                                        #101.2 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:06 PM EST

                                        I don't need perspective. I'm a proud gun owner with a CPL. I care about my self defense, the defense of my home and family. Child neglect is the only thing on the table in this article. If you don't want to carry or are afraid of the big, bad firearm then don't get one and don't carry one. and if my guns kill people then mine are all defective.

                                        • 1 vote
                                        #101.3 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:20 PM EST
                                        Reply

                                        Every day it's the same people saying the same things about the same stupid stories. Get over it, nothing's going to change, and it's been like this for longer than any of you have been alive. Shut up.

                                        • 1 vote
                                        Reply#102 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:09 PM EST

                                        To all you gun control folks:

                                        you lost...get over it

                                        the LAST state of Illinois will be passing conceal and cary as the ban was deemed unconstitutional. 50 states with legally gun toting citizens...criminals beware who you point and shoot at...now they can shoot back in all 50 states....BOO YAH!

                                        • 2 votes
                                        Reply#103 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:12 PM EST

                                        YES !!!

                                          #103.1 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 2:24 PM EST
                                          Reply

                                          Guns in the home should be in a gun safe...and locked. Call DCFS for these wonderful parents

                                            Reply#104 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:13 PM EST

                                            I respectfully disagree, unless i can get some kind of guarantee that any home invaders are going to allow me time to unlock said safe .

                                            • 3 votes
                                            #104.1 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:20 PM EST

                                            I agree with you on that, but was actually referring to households with children

                                              #104.2 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:26 PM EST

                                              You still need to protect yourself if you have children. Teach your children, and there will be no problem.

                                              • 1 vote
                                              #104.3 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 5:05 PM EST
                                              Reply

                                              Now, here is another trophy for the NRA. The first post suggest the father used poor judgement in keeping the gun loaded and not in a locked compartment. My question is, why a gun in your house? If you keep it for defense, I don't see much advantage if you got to unlock the box and then load the damned thing. The American insanity with guns and its terrible consequences are well documented.

                                              How many well intended and"responsible owners" have killed their spouse in a fit of anger, or co-workers, or have ended up losing a child just like this man has. Time to really organize and establish gun control, specially on assault weapons, they aren't needed to hunt deer, bears or other human beings except in a war. ENOUGH BLOODSHED, FOR CHRIST'S SAKE PEOPLE

                                                Reply#105 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:14 PM EST

                                                it won't happen

                                                • 1 vote
                                                #105.1 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:27 PM EST

                                                You developing beyond the neandrethal that you are won't happen either.

                                                • 2 votes
                                                #105.2 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:43 PM EST

                                                Gun rights as provided in the constitution are not for hunting. They are for keeping an out of control government or any group of people in check. Most people that have guns specialized for hunting, also have some specialized for other purposes.

                                                • 1 vote
                                                #105.3 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 5:08 PM EST
                                                Reply

                                                Another "responsible gun owner."

                                                  Reply#106 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:14 PM EST

                                                  POST NO BILLS,FRANKS or Bobs.....just saying

                                                    #106.1 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:19 PM EST

                                                    ...or another irresponsible parent.

                                                    • 1 vote
                                                    #106.2 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 2:13 PM EST
                                                    Reply

                                                    This little girl just learned two very important lesson, don't touch what isn't yours and being stupid hurts!

                                                    Modern day parents I swear, your children do whatever they want, more spankings and less talking!

                                                    Unloading a gun because of children pointless, like they can't figure out how to load them come on they found the gun and its such a cool thing on tv to do!

                                                      Reply#107 - Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:17 PM EST
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