A mother in New Jersey has likely lost both of her young sons. The six-year-old boy found his mother’s loaded handgun, and while playing with it shot his younger brother in the head, fatally wounding the child. The 22-year-old mother, Itiyanah Spruill, was subsequently charged with both child endangerment, and a weapons violation; her bail was set at $310,000.

There is a distinct possibility that child protective services will suggest to the court that her six-year-old be removed from the home for his own safety.

This incident is one of at least 115 this year involving the shooting of or by a small child. The exact statistics are unavailable because law enforcement fails to separate gunshot victims by age. Local papers have become the only source for these tragic numbers.

All too frequently instances such as these occur. Sadly, some Americans love their guns more than their families.

Until 1976 the NRA was a respected gun safety advocate. Please forgive me if you’ve read this before, but it’s important to understand why we must ignore the falsehoods told to the American people by the gun lobby.

Before 1976, the NRA offered guidelines for keeping weapons in the home. First, and foremost, insure that the weapon is unloaded. Secondly, keep the gun and its ammunition in separate locked areas. Lastly, teach your children about the dangers of your weapons.

Today the NRA refuses to discuss gun safety. Its only interest is increasing the profits of gun manufacturers and gun sellers. This is not your father’s or grandfather’s NRA; this is a despicable organization which places profit before the safety of the average person.

Every state must enact laws protecting children from accessing firearms; and these laws must have severe repercussions. All too often the neglect by an adult which allows a child to obtain a loaded killing machine goes unpunished. This is another example of how our nation has become gun crazy.

The only reason it is difficult to pass sensible gun laws is the fact that the Republican Party badly needs the campaign funds and voting bloc created by the NRA. Every year the party is losing support. Its base is dwindling and without the NRA and the Christian religious right supporting its candidates, they would never win an election.

This tragedy should never have happened. Choosing to own a lethal weapon requires enormous responsibility. There is no acceptable reason why a small child should have access to a loaded gun; this is pure ignorance.

The question for people like Ms. Spruill is one which should not be asked; do you love your children and other family members as much as you love your lethal toy?

I admit to you that I am tired of writing about these stories; and I shouldn’t have to do so. However, because the media will not expose these sad facts about guns and America, I have an obligation which I will not ignore.

One fact which continues to confuse me. Why do more than 33,000 Americans die from gun use each year in the United States; most are women and children? There is no excuse for this situation. One other fact which is a result of pure neglect by the NRA and the GOP; there were more mass shootings in 2015 than days in the year.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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