On May 14, the annual W.S. "Babe" Howard Classic baseball game between the University of Memphis and the University of Tennessee at Martin, at USA Stadium in Millington, Tennessee, was suspended after an 8-year-old accidentally shot his mother, sending her to the hospital in critical condition. Millington police told reporters that the boy was playing in an antique World War II army jeep that was at the site as a part of a veterans appreciation day.
The boy reportedly discovered a handgun inside of the jeep, and, thinking it was a toy, fired it. The gun was allegedly owned by 76-year-old Charles McFarland, who was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon. No bond had been set as of yesterday.
"Secure your weapons," Millington Police Chief Mark Dunbar said. "Everybody's got a right to carry, if they got a carry permit, but you need to use common sense and secure your weapons."
It seems like common sense, but studies have shown that 85% of families that own guns do not safely secure them at home. I’m sure Mr. McFarland feels terrible about all of this and wishes he could change everything about that day. But claims of “accident” or “mistake” or “rare occurrence” when guns are involved do not matter. The results are tragic. According to reports, the woman was conscious when she was taken to the hospital. She is still in critical condition.