Stop Handgun Violence (SHV), a Massachusetts based non-profit organization committed to preventing gun violence, reacts to news of the arrest of Jennifer and James Crumbley for involuntary manslaughter. Their son killed four classmates at Oxford High School in Michigan with a firearm purchased by the Crumbleys four days before.
Under Federal law, individuals under the age of 18 are prohibited from possessing handguns, similar to the one used by the Crumbleys’ son. In addition, 30 states and the District of Columbia have child access prevention laws that further penalize adults for failing to keep firearms out of the hands of minors. Research shows that child access prevention laws are incredibly effective laws at preventing youth suicide and unintentional shootings. In addition, 70-90% of school shooters under the age of 18 acquire their firearms from the home of relatives or friends.
“We applaud Oxford Michigan Prosecutor Karen McDonald for holding the Crumbleys accountable for allowing their son to illegally access a handgun” said John Rosenthal founder of Stop Handgun Violence. “Millions of children in America live with unlocked and unloaded firearms despite the fact that a majority of states have child access prevention laws. The tragic consequences of unsecured firearms extend beyond the four walls of a family home and we hope that other gun owners are motivated by this story to store their guns safely.”
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