NEWPORT NEWS, Va. —
Newport News police are still investigating an incident that left a 3-year-old child dead. Newly obtained court documents show that the 3-year-old grabbed the gun that belonged to his father, a security guard, after he left it on the kitchen counter.
This latest accidental shooting death of a child in Hampton Roads has Virginia state Senator Jennifer Boysko renewing her push for new legislation tied to gun safety.
“We have a way of preventing it. That's by getting parents and adults to lock up their guns when they're at home, when their children are around. It's a very simple solution,” Boysko said.
Boysko represents Fairfax County. She’s also a fierce advocate for what she describes as safe and sensible gun laws. She introduced a bill earlier this year that would have owners store firearms and the ammunition for such guns in a locked container, compartment, or cabinet that is inaccessible to a minor or prohibited person.
She says the idea came to her after hearing stories similar to what happened on Tuesday in Newport News.
"We know that the majority of children under the age of 18 are getting their guns from the home," she said.
Boysko’s bill passed both the House of Delegates and the Senate but was ultimately vetoed by Governor Glenn Youngkin in March. The senator is determined to reintroduce the legislation this upcoming session and hopes the governor will change course given another chance.
"I wouldn't want to have that on my conscience if I were the governor. This has happened too many times and it's happened right around when we've had the opportunity to pass the legislation and stop the killing of these small children," Boysko said.
Newport News Police are still investigating the case and no one has yet been arrested.