Yes, the parents should be liable because they chose to own a gun but were absolutely negligent in keeping it secure. This is a deadly weapon and a responsible gun owner, as people claim they are, does not let unlicensed or minors have access to it or let it get taken right from under them.
Why are you against gun owners keeping their guns safely secured so a child cannot get to it. What if your kid went to a friends house and the friend got his daddy's gun to play with it and accidently put a hole in your kid's head. You don't think the parents fucked up in that scenerio?
If you have children in your house do you leave your gun out on the table or in the night stand drawer? Or do you keep it under lock and key.
STATES WITH CHILD ACCESS PREVENTION LAWS
California
15
Colorado
16
Connecticut
17
Delaware
18
District of Columbia
19
Florida
20
Georgia
21
Hawaii
22
Illinois
23
Indiana
24
Iowa
25
Kentucky
26
Maryland
27
Massachusetts
28
Minnesota
29
Mississippi
30
Missouri
31
Nevada
32
New Hampshire
33
New Jersey
34
North Carolina
35
Oklahoma
36
Rhode Island
37
Tennessee
38
Texas
39
Utah
40
Virginia
41
Washington (effective July 1, 2019)
42
Wisconsin
43
There is no federal law so this is a mashup of weak to strong laws. Gun ownership is not an absolute right free from any responsibility. If you accidentally discharge the weapon in your house and kill the nieghbor you are most likely going to jail. If you leave your gun out and your child plays with it and kills his friend, there is some serious liability.
You own a pool, gate it up so no one can wander in it and drown.
You own a car, make sure your kid does not jump in and take it for a joy ride and kill someone.
You own a gun, lock it up, especially with children present in the house.
You have a driver's license, does that mean everyone in your house can drive automatically?
No, so if you have a legal gun and permit, then does that mean everyone in your house can legally use the gun?