Greenville, South Carolina –This year, at least 170 children have accidentally shot themselves. Most of the victims are children.
The location of the shooting determines whether or not someone is charged, as well as what charges they face.
Samantha Dodson noticed almost three years ago that South Carolina is one of many states that does not have any regulations in place to hold gun owners accountable if they leave their weapons unsecured.
“It still feels like yesterday,” Dodson explained. “I can remember everything like it was yesterday.”
On October 16, 2021, Dodson’s 4-year-old son Kingston Barksdale was at his father’s house when another child discovered a gun and discharged it.
The gunshot struck Kingston in the chest.
“I remember getting a phone call and constantly asking, ‘What?'” “Are you sure?” Dodson stated. They tried everything, but they couldn’t bring him back. The room. I recall the room becoming incredibly quiet. It’s still unbelievable to me today.”
According to investigators, Kingston’s father was sleeping in another room when the shooting occurred. He was accused with neglect and pleaded guilty.
He is currently spending two years of house arrest.
Dodson claimed that wasn’t enough.
“I’ve been dealing with grief knowing that I’ve lost a child with no consequences. “No jail time,” Dodson stated. “No consequence because there’s no law.”
Gun storage rules differ by state. For example, Oregon and Massachusetts have regulations requiring guns to be kept in secure storage when not in the owner’s custody.
Other states, such as North Carolina, have regulations that apply when a youngster is likely to reach an unsecured firearm.
Georgia and Tennessee, on the other hand, have rules that prohibit anyone from providing a youngster with access to an unsecured firearm.
South Carolina has no firearms storage laws.
“Kingston enjoyed life. He took nothing for granted. He looked forward to each moment. He simply enjoyed life, and it is something that everyone, including me, can take away,” Dodson stated. “Even though he was only here for four years, he enjoyed everything about life. “Every moment meant everything to him.”
Now, Dodson wants to ensure that no other child’s life is cut short.
In the months after Kingston’s death, Dodson collaborated with activist Bruce Wilson to draw the attention of Columbia lawmakers.
Wilson wrote “The Kingston Act,” which would make it a criminal to enable a youngster to operate a firearm unaccompanied, resulting in death.
The sentence would be 30 years in prison.
“Neither Kingston’s mother nor I intend to violate anyone’s rights. “What we’re saying is responsibility, being responsible with a weapon in the presence of children,” Wilson explained. “Everyone should be willing to say that that is a smart thing to do.”
The measure was introduced in February 2022, but it has been in committee ever since.
Since Kingston’s death, there have been 33 unintentional shootings by children in South Carolina, according to our findings and the group Every Town.
Sixteen of those gunshots resulted in injuries, while seventeen ended in deaths.
Rep. Wendell Jones stated that he would re-file the bill in November.
“This is not a rare occurrence,” Jones explained. “This is happening quite a bit across this nation so this is a public safety issue.”
Jones stated that the repercussions of failure to pass the law are evident.
“Sadly, we will be attending more funerals. “Funerals that could have been avoided,” Jones explained.
Dodson stated that when Kingston’s elder brother visits a friend’s house, she is reminded of guns left there.
“I’m so afraid,” she said. “It only takes a second for something to go wrong.”
She said that passing “The Kingston Act” would keep him and all other children in South Carolina safe.
“Since I couldn’t save Kingston, if I can help, if I can help save someone else’s child then I feel like I have fulfilled a purpose in a sense,” Dodson told the crowd.