I understand that many farms have to have the use of guns on them, but they should securely be locked up when not in use and no very young children should be using them unless they have been taught the proper use of firearms by a gun club or similar. So sorry for the family of this youngster.

This is so very sad. When a was young we used to hear of these accidents often as lots of people had guns. Thankfully for our gun laws after Port Arthur they have dropped dramatically. I still think we could be tougher again with our laws. We don’t need guns.

Yes that is a good question why the Uncle did let the underage boy have the gun in the first place and personally I also wonder why they would even have a gun ?! My heart really goes out to all involved as i9t could impact the family relationships massively !
I would love to hear an update about this story.

How tragic for all involved. These events can break families apart and I hope that this family is being supported, and that long term supports are put in place.

Such a tragic event for all concerned. My heart goes out to the parents of the boy who died. I feel for the young boy who accidently killed his cousin too. Unfortunately you can’t rewind tragic accidents but it was one that should never have happened. Why did the Uncle let the underage boy have the gun in the first place. I hope they can somehow get through this situation together and not be driven apart.

Very very sad indeed ! Apparently the nine year old boy and the fourteen year old were cousin’s and the thirty three year old was an uncle…imagine that. This will impact the whole family and possible the whole family dynamics. I understand it was accidental but that won’t take the feelings of despair and possibly guilt away. Thinking about all involved.

this is such a sad story, and I’m rather glad it’s disappeared from the news quickly. I’m sure more extensive coverage would only make things more difficult for the families and individuals involved. It is a sad reminder that you need to be very careful with weapons, and supervised kids carefully.

I feel so sorry for the nine year old.

I honestly have so many questions in regards to this story but whatever actually happened and however the 14yo came to be in possession of this weapon its absolutely heartbreaking and will have a devastating effect on so many people’s lives. Its crazy how everything can go so wrong so fast 🙁

Well this has ruined so many peoples lives.
Unless you are aware of the saftey rules surrounding guns and are willing to carry them out then please do not own one. Obviously someone pointed the gun where it should not have been pointed and now an innocent life has been lost

This is a terrible accident that the family now have to live with. I know a person has died, but when it is obvious that the whole thing was an accident, I am not sure I understand why the family needs to be dragged through court. The 14 year old is underage and will be terrified going to court.

Aw this is terrible !! My thought and prayers go out to the family and loved ones of this 9 year old boy, we can only imagine the shock, pain and despair they are in. I’m trying to get my head around to the fact that a 14 year old boy was in possession of an unauthorised firearm which was allowed to him by a 33 year old man: what in the world…this is not the US !

This is so very sad. I first heard about this on the news and then came across this article. I feel for the family who has lost their son because of this, what a sad accident. Lives will never be the same because of this for all of those involved. It is very heart breaking when stories like this shared.

Oh goodness, I hadn’t read that a teenager was at the other end of the fire arm. This is a terrible outcome. So many lives altered in the worst of ways because a gun owner wasn’t showing responsible ownership. This young man looked like a kind soul, I can’t even imagine what his family is feeling.

Absolutely tragic and sad ending for something that should never have been had they followed the law. Gun safety is a big part of owning and being a responsible gun owner, allowing your child access to it or knowing they did, is such bad judgement as a parent. This could have been prevented!

What an enormous tragedy for so many people – the dead child, his family, the teenager, his family, the adult involved… and no doubt it was also very hard on the emergency services staff who tried to assist. I understand that guns have their place in rural areas, but too many people treat them casually.