3-Year-Old Boy's Accidental Death Is Not Enough to Stop Dad From Supporting Guns

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by Maressa Brown 1 hour ago

Heartbreaking tragedy struck in Dundee, Michigan yesterday afternoon when 3-year-old named Damon Holbrook fatally shot himself in the head. The little boy found a loaded 40-caliber Smith and Wesson firearm on the floor of a bedroom closet, police say. It reportedly belonged to Joshua Michael Greenhill, a friend of Damon's father, Brian Holbrook, who was living with the family.

Greenhill, who has a permit to carry the gun involved in the incident and has no criminal record, has since been arrested on charges of manslaughter and gross negligence. Meanwhile, in the midst of his devastation, Damon's father took to Facebook to set the record straight on his position on guns  ...

Holbrook wrote (all sp):

Yesterday I lost my 3yrd son to a gun accident. We r all hoping to wake up from this nightmare. ... I have nothing wrong with guns it's with this country was built on. I will still support the Second Amendment. All I ask is that everyone please, please safety first lock it up and put it out of reach of anyone that has no business being around a gun especially kids.

Agh. I have to admit, I don't completely, personally agree with Damon's dad on this ... I feel like recent events, perhaps even including this traumatic incident, do make a case for stricter gun control laws. However, I have to respect Holbrook for standing up for what he believes -- which is that this horrific accident and similar ones that we've heard of far too often shouldn't necessarily mean withdrawing support for the right to bear arms. This isn't a black and white issue.

That said, what he's asking of fellow gun supporters and owners is so important. Acting responsibly and safely must come first. As for how far we as a country and a community and even individual citizens want to take that, the jury's still out, but I'm sure we can all agree that it is imperative to preventing even more heart-wrenching, untimely deaths like little Damon's.

What are your thoughts on Holbrook's Facebook post?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Maressa Brown

has enjoyed reporting and writing for a variety of entertainment and women's magazines and websites. More often than not, you'll find her blogging, hitting the gym, reading, researching something on her iPhone, laughing, chatting at an above-"normal" volume, or getting her caffeine fix.

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