Tag: gun safety lock

3-year-old Shot, Killed In Bartow Burger King Drive-thru

Ill-design holster leads to child’s death.

Ill-designed holster leads to 3-year-old’s death.

Bartow, Florida – “. . . the father was bending down to look at the [credit] card when the gun that was concealed in his waistband began to cause him discomfort . . . ” – Sheriff Grady Judd.

“So he takes his Glock out of his waistband and lays it down,” Grady Judd said

According to Sheriff Judd, the child, who had been in the backseat, is believed to have gotten ahold of the gun and was playing with it before accidentally shooting himself in the face. The child was rushed to Lakeland Regional Health where he was pronounced dead.

For the complete story, as reported by News Channel 8 CLICK HERE

This is the second child, self-inflicted, accidental gunshot incident in Polk County, Florida this year. The previous one involved a 6-year-old child in Winter Haven that resulted in the child’s death.

In 2025, Polk County experience 3 child gun related incidents that resulted in the death of two children.

Editorial Comment: It is not the children’s fault. It is not the gun’s fault. It is the adult parent’s fault for having the lack of training and knowledge to safely handle and store his or her firearm. When it comes to firearms, there is no such thing as an accident. It is negligence!

Free child safety gun locks available from In-Gauge of Polk County. Simply send an email request to: in-gauge@ingaugeofpolkcounty.com

In-Gauge of Polk County, a private, non-profit organization, Winter Haven, Florida, has FREE child safety gun locks to Polk County residents, available for the asking. Polk County residents need only send an email request to receive a free gun lock.

To receive a free gun lock by mail, simply send an email request to: in-gauge@ingaugeofpolkcounty.com

2nd Child Involved Gun Fatality In Davenport In 3 months, 3rd In Polk County Since January 2025

Man Shot, Killed After 9-year-old Gets Access To Parents’ Gun

Man Shot, Killed After 9-year-old Gets Access To Parents’ Gun

Free child safety gun locks available from In-Gauge of Polk County. Simply send an email request to: in-gauge@ingaugeofpolkcounty.com

Davenport man fatally shoots stepson after 9-year-old pulls gun from drawer.

Davenport man fatally shoots adult stepson after 9-year-old pulls gun from drawer.

DAVENPORT, Fla. (WFLA) – May 21, 2025 — A stepfather was accused of killing his adult stepson in Davenport on Wednesday.

A 9-year-old boy became upset after being disciplined over playing a video game and grabbed a handgun from a nightstand drawer of his parents’ bedroom.

Feb. 24, 2025 – A 4-year-old Davenport boy has died of a self-inflicted gunshot after finding a firearm in his family’s car Friday night. Law enforcement is calling for tighter gun safety, as it’s the second such death in Polk County this year.

Police Chief Steven Parker said Chosen’s death should serve as a “stark reminder” of best practices and gun safety for firearm owners.

The firearm in the Morris family’s vehicle was legally owned by Robert Morris, who Parker said told police he owned it for personal safety on his travel to and from work.

Robert Morris told detectives he usually takes the firearm out of the car on Thursday nights when he arrives home from work, and securely stores it in his bedroom.

“He forgot. He simply forgot,” the chief said. “He forgot Thursday, this happens Friday.”

Parker said gun owners need to know exactly where their firearms are at all times, and make sure they are secure when not in their immediate possession.

This is the second child, self-inflicted, accidental gunshot death in Polk County, Florida in as many months.

6-year-old Major Smith died of an accidental, self-inflicted gunshot wound January 9, 2025, in Lakeland, Florida, by a gun he found in his parent’s car.

Major Smith died Tuesday at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, two days after he found a gun in a car outside his residence on West Crawford Street and accidentally shot himself, Lakeland police said.

In-Gauge of Polk County, a private, non-profit organization, Winter Haven, Florida, has FREE child safety gun locks to Polk County residents, available for the asking. Polk County residents need only send an email request to receive a free gun lock.

To receive a free gun lock by mail, simply send an email request to: in-gauge@ingaugeofpolkcounty.com