3-year-old who accidentally shot herself on Christmas Day has died

[left-of-center2012]

A North Carolina toddler who accidentally shot herself in the head on Christmas has died, the Henderson County Sheriff's Office said in a Wednesday release. Three-year-old Aylee Gordon reportedly wounded herself after accessing a 9 mm pistol, according to CNN.

The child's father, former Henderson County Sheriff’s Captain Tim Gordon, said Aylee picked up the firearm, which was left in his open truck, while she was outside playing on her new bike.

"She picked up a pistol and shot herself in the head by accident," Gordon told the dispatcher during a 911 call, according to ABC News 13. Aylee passed away from her injuries on Tuesday after being airlifted to a local hospital and undergoing medical treatment on Saturday.

"It is with a heavy heart that we can confirm that the child did in fact pass away at Mission Hospital on the evening of Tuesday December 28th, 2021," the sheriff's office said in a statement to The Hill. "Any charges in this case will be at the discretion of the NCSBI [North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation] and the District Attorneys office once the investigation has been completed and submitted to the District Attorney to review."

https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/587654-three-year-old-girl-who-accidentally-shot-herself-on-christmas

In a 911 call released Tuesday by the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, Aylee’s father, retired Henderson County Sheriff’s Captain Tim Gordon, told the dispatchers
a family visitor left a 9-millimeter pistol in a pickup truck Saturday while the little girl was riding her new bike.

“She picked up a pistol and shot herself in the head by accident,” Gordon told the dispatcher.

https://wlos.com/news/local/3-year-old-henderson-county-girl-dies-from-injuries-sustained-in-christmas-day-shooting-aylee-gordon-tim-edneyville

The Henderson County Sheriff Office confirmes 3-year-old Aylee Gordon has died from the injuries she sustained in an accidental shooting on Christmas Day.
(Photo courtesy of Gordon family)

[gratuitous]

1. Another fucking law-abiding firearm owner

I mean, you'd have to be the Amazing Kreskin or something to imagine that leaving your pistol in your pickup truck might lead to someone getting shot "accidentally." Nobody could have predicted it!

[LonePirate]

4. A former sheriff who let his daughter utilize her 2A "rights" just as Republicans desire.

If we were a modern and civilized country, the child would never have had access to the gun. Because we are not such a country, the gun's legitimate owner won't see any jail time for negligent homicide or even child endangerment.

[gratuitous]

12. According to the story

Little Aylee was the daughter of the former sheriff's captain, but the pistol belonged to a visiting friend. I presume his pickup was unlocked because I don't really envision three-year-olds as skilled in breaking into locked vehicles.

[LonePirate]

15. Does a 3 yo have the height and strength to open a truck door? Was the door already opened?

Also, why was the girl outside and presumably unsupervised?

[jimfields33]

20. Lol. Somebody has to be taking the picture. A parent most likely.

[Disaffected]

28. What's so LOL about it?

Maybe the picture was taken on some other occasion.

What's so LOL about it in any case??

[jimfields33]

31. The little girlie smelling the flowers and you think she playing alone

I’m just pointing out that a parent is taking the picture. Got it??

[Disaffected]

39. What on earth are you talking about?

Of course she is not alone - in that picture (assuming she isn't old enough to set up a camera herself for a selfie).

The point is, that picture could have been taken at some other time than the accident. Got it?

[LonePirate]

43. That picture was not necessarily taken immediately before the shooting.

For all we know, that photo could have been taken days or months earlier. Obituary photos are seldom ones taken minutes before death.

[orleans]

42. that's what i was thinking--height & strength to open a door on a truck or pick-up? doubt it

and the door was probably left open
i want to know who the visitor is
and when will they be charged for leaving a fucking gun in a place where anyone could take it

[TexasBushwhacker]

9. He says the gun belonged to a family friend who came by to visit n/t

[PTWB]

22. You should have kept reading past what you quoted.

The gun didn’t belong to the former deputy.

a family visitor left a 9-millimeter pistol in a pickup truck

[AndyS]

24. as long as no guns' rights were infringed . . .

[PTWB]

25. If only we would pass safe storage laws...

Alas, some extremists value purity more than they value the lives of the children who would be saved if we compromised to pass meaningful gun control.

You can go to my journal and see my proposal on how we can pass meaningful gun control in this political climate if you’d like to learn more!

[AndyS]

26. Yes and your solution is to put MORE guns in circulation

in exchange for minute changes. NO THANK YOU. GUNS ARE THE PROBLEM, NOT THE SOLUTION.

[PTWB]

27. That's not my solution at all.

But you already knew that.

[AndyS]

29. That is exactly what your 'solution' is and YOU know it.

Just be honest and say out loud what the "compromise" means.

[PTWB]

30. No, that's not correct.

I've come up with a compromise that lets us pass legislation getting us Universal Background Checks, Safe Storage Laws, and Minimum Standards for Concealed Carry Licenses. In order to pass that legislation (no easy task in this political climate), my proposal includes compromises that any reasonable person would accept.

For anyone curious about what my plan actually suggests, skip the misrepresentations and mischaracterizations and read it yourself right here:

Proposal to pass Universal Background Checks, Safe Storage Laws, and Minimum Standards for Concealed Carry Licenses

[AndyS]

37. And anyone who follows your link will find that the

compromise leads to MORE GUNS.

Face it, that is the only outcome of any 'compromise' because that is all the gun culture wants in return for anything; more guns.

The accessibility of guns is the problem and the only outcome of any 'compromise' is more accessibility to guns. It's a snake eating its own tail.

No sentient being is buying what you're selling. When will gunners realize that they are pariahs in modern society?

[PTWB]

38. Nonsense.

You clearly haven’t bothered to read the post because nothing in the post suggests anything of the sort, in fact just the opposite. My suggestions would result in fewer guns in circulation (universal background checks, which eliminates the gun show loophole) and reduced access to guns (mandatory safe storage laws).

No, the only reason you’ve given to justify your position is that you don’t like gun owners and refuse to compromise to achieve meaningful gun control.

Folks who prefer purity to progress have no one but themselves to blame.

The way the courts are deciding gun cases these days, we are going to end up with all of my suggestions for compromise becoming reality and we will have nothing to show for it because purity extremists refused to compromise when we actually had something to compromise with.

For the love of God, we could pass meaningful gun control legislation with the support of gun owners right now if we just went about it the right way. Think of all the lives we could save!

[AndyS]

40. You clearly don't know who I am

I am a gun owner. I have held a Federal Firearms License. I am militarily qualified on the M14, M16, M60, the M1911, the M9 and both CN and CS dispensers.

For almost 50 years the gun culture has had free reign on framing the discussion and I'm here to tell you THATS OVER.

You gunners don't have an open field anymore. There are those of us who know who your are and what you want.

You want more guns.

A compromise means you get some of what you want.

Fuck that. Gunners have had what they want for 50 years and the times they are a changin.

[PTWB]

41. I don't know who you are, that's true.

It seems like I must have hurt your feelings at some point because you continue to attribute things to me that I’ve never said, and attribute positions to me that I do not hold. I’ve corrected that behavior repeatedly, but you continue to do so in spite of those corrections.

Let me clear the air here: if I said anything that hurt your feelings and is causing you to behave that way toward me, I sincerely apologize.

We both want gun control to pass but we are approaching that goal from different directions.

I want to pass meaningful, effective gun control. I don’t want to talk just talk about gun control or fantasize about gun control, I want to actually get legislation passed. My proposals lay out a roadmap that would do just that.

What is your alternative plan to get gun control passed given the current political landscape? If it looks feasible we should talk about it. You must have some ideas, right?

We are all on the same team!

[AndyS]

44. My feelings aren't hurt.

I'm a bit insulted at the condescending attitude but I'm accustomed to that from gunners who know everything about everything.

You speak of current political landscape. We are changing that landscape. That's what the gun culture did.

It won't happen in a single election cycle but it is happening.

To compromise is to capitulate. There are more guns in America than people. The gun culture wants more guns. To compromise means making more guns available. It is a snake eating its own tail.

The compromise you proposed entails changing the NFA which is code for making otherwise forbidden firearms available to the general public. Full auto, short barrel rifles, sawed off shotguns and other 'destructive devices'.

No.

The gun culture has taken a NO COMPROMISE stance for 50 years. What's good for them is good for us.

It's a war of attrition and it will take a decade built on the decade we have behind us to show progress but it is happening as we speak.

Otherwise there would be no talk of 'compromise'. You've shown your hand and there's no bluffing left. Momentum is on our side. It's coming. You've had 50 years and we've been at it for only 10.

So just stop with the 'reasonable compromise' bull shit.

[PTWB]

46. More of the same.

The compromise you proposed entails changing the NFA which is code for making otherwise forbidden firearms available to the general public. Full auto, short barrel rifles, sawed off shotguns and other 'destructive devices'.

My proposed compromises have nothing to do with “making otherwise forbidden firearms available to the general public.” You’ve claimed that numerous times before and been corrected each and every time.

My proposal is linked in this thread. Anyone who wants to can go read it for themselves to see that what I’ve proposed isn’t at all what you’re claiming.

You’ve made yourself quite clear. You’re not interested in passing meaningful gun control right now, in this political climate, because you don’t want to compromise. You seem to be approaching this from an emotional point of view while I am approaching it from a pragmatic point of view.

You say you’d rather wait until some point in the future when the political landscape is different and perhaps at that time we can try to pass something meaningful without compromising.

To that I say… good luck.

The political landscape has been shifting… but it’s been shifting away from gun control and toward fewer restrictions and fewer regulations. The courts are already chipping away at the very same ineffective and antiquated regulations that I propose we use as bargaining chips to pass meaningful gun control.

It won’t be long before the courts eliminate all the bargaining chips we currently have. Once they do, your proposal—waiting until the political landscape shifts in a massive way before we try to pass anything—will be the only option available.

You mentioned that I sound condescending when I reply to you. I apologize as that isn’t intended, truly. Sometimes it comes across that way when pointing out logical fallacies even when that isn’t one’s intent. I appreciate your passion for the issue even if it is an ineffective passion.

You see, your proposal is, and I quote, to “TAKE ALL THE GUNS AWAY!!!!!”

And your proposal is to wait until the political landscape has shifted in such a radical way that “taking all the guns away” is something that will actually pass. Doing that would require a constitutional amendment, which will take a shift in the political landscape that would be so dramatic that it is not even imaginable in the foreseeable future.

But let’s say that does happen. Maybe it happens 30 years from now, or 50, or maybe 100. But let’s say it does happen.

Well, if the landscape shifts that dramatically, you’d be able to just erase any compromise we made today, right? And while we are waiting for the landscape to shift, we would be able to save a lot of lives with by passing the gun control laws I suggested, in the ways that I suggested.

So how is it hurting anyone to pass meaningful gun control today—with compromise?

It isn’t.

[BlackSkimmer]

47. It's free "rein". I wish people could get the difference between reign and rein.

Sigh.

[Progressive Jones]

49. Thank You. nt

[North Shore Chicago]

51. Stop reining/reigning/raining on their parade.

[Earth-shine]

53. Since you want to be a grammar enforcer, the period after "rein" belongs inside of the quotes.

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/quotation-marks/

Sigh.

[AndyS]

54. Noted and thank you. It is the small things that help us better communicate. nt

[Sancho]

3. People Control, Not Gun Control

This is my generic response to gun threads where people are shot and killed by the dumb or criminal possession of guns. For the record, I grew up in the South and on military bases. I was taught about firearms as a child, and I grew up hunting, was a member of the NRA, and I still own guns. In the 70’s, I dropped out of the NRA because they become more radical and less interested in safety and training. Some personal experiences where people I know were involved in shootings caused me to realize that anyone could obtain and posses a gun no matter how illogical it was for them to have a gun. Also, easy access to more powerful guns, guns in the hands of children, and guns that weren’t secured are out of control in our society. As such, here’s what I now think ought to be the requirements to possess a gun. I’m not debating the legal language, I just think it’s the reasonable way to stop the shootings. Notice, none of this restricts the type of guns sold. This is aimed at the people who shoot others, because it’s clear that they should never have had a gun.

1.) Anyone in possession of a gun (whether they own it or not) should have a regularly renewed license. If you want to call it a permit, certificate, or something else that's fine.
2.) To get a license, you should have a background check, and be examined by a professional for emotional and mental stability appropriate for gun possession. It might be appropriate to require that examination to be accompanied by references from family, friends, employers, etc. This check is not to subject you to a mental health diagnosis, just check on your superficial and apparent gun-worthyness.
3.) To get the license, you should be required to take a safety course and pass a test appropriate to the type of gun you want to use.
4.) To get a license, you should be over 21. Under 21, you could only use a gun under direct supervision of a licensed person and after obtaining a learner’s license. Your license might be restricted if you have children or criminals or other unsafe people living in your home. (If you want to argue 18 or 25 or some other age, fine. 21 makes sense to me.)
5.) If you possess a gun, you would have to carry a liability insurance policy specifically for gun ownership - and likely you would have to provide proof of appropriate storage, security, and whatever statistical reasons that emerge that would drive the costs and ability to get insurance.
6.) You could not purchase a gun or ammunition without a license, and purchases would have a waiting period.
7.) If you possess a gun without a license, you go to jail, the gun is impounded, and a judge will have to let you go (just like a DUI).
8.) No one should carry an unsecured gun (except in a locked case, unloaded) when outside of home. Guns should be secure when transporting to a shooting event without demonstrating a special need. Their license should indicate training and special carry circumstances beyond recreational shooting (security guard, etc.). If you are carrying your gun while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you lose your gun and license.
9.) If you buy, sell, give away, or inherit a gun, your license information should be recorded.
10.) If you accidentally discharge your gun, commit a crime, get referred by a mental health professional, are served a restraining order, etc., you should lose your license and guns until reinstated by a serious relicensing process.

Most of you know that a license is no big deal. Besides a driver’s license you need a license to fish, operate a boat, or many other activities. I realize these differ by state, but that is not a reason to let anyone without a bit of sense pack a semiautomatic weapon in public, on the roads, and in schools. I think we need to make it much harder for some people to have guns.

[Hoyt]

6. To help those people, make it harder to accumulate gunz and ammo.

Make it almost impossible to strap a gun or two to your body and strut down the street like Zimmerman, Rittenhouse, etc.

[AndyS]

7. Sancho, from long association and many replies you

know how highly I hold your proposal. It is logical and reasonable and could work. Now comes the 'but part' that will negate everything that came before . . .

I have come to the conclusion that the only thing that might work is to TAKE THE FUCKING GUNS AWAY.

Yeah, there might be the asshole who beats his wife to death but the ten other cowards who have shriveled dicks couldn't do it without a gun.

Just take the fucking guns away.

Keep preaching brother . . .

[Sancho]

21. I have no problem with restricting gun sales, ownership, or use...

...in any way that is possible. I see no logical reason for 90% of gun purchases.

Very few gun possessors are "avid hunters" or "historical gun collectors" or "living in fear from their neighbors". The vast majority are falling prey to marketing and misunderstanding. They buy the gun, and there it is..in a drawer beside the bed or glovebox of the car.

Many guns simply sit unused for years unless they become part of an accidental shooting or suicide. Many guns are sold or stolen and used by criminals.

A subset will get a permit, buy a gun, and spend a short time at a shooting range because of some social group or political affiliation. After a while, that gets old and the guns sit in the closet and they buy ski equipment or a boat.

The problem is that with SO MANY GUNS lying around, the small number of unstable and dangerous people have easy access. Then the culture produces road rage, teenage killers, fast-food shootings, and neighborhood shootouts.

I have NO ISSUE with taking guns away from the larger society.

[SYFROYH]

34. And there it is. The Banz-teh-Gunz solution.

[AndyS]

36. Beats hell out of MORE GUNZ solution which is

working so well . . .

and she's still dead, yea guns!

[TexasBushwhacker]

16. Even the best firearm insurance will not cover illegal acts

Most states have laws about keeping minors away from firearms. The weapons are supposed to be secured in some way and/or unloaded. When the owner fails to do that and a child is injured, the owner committed a crime, therefore a liability insurance policy will not pay. Having liability insurance won't prevent gun accidents any more than driver's liability insurance will prevent wrecks.

[Sancho]

23. In order to get the liability insurance, the policy may require security...

...which is preventative.

[SoCalDavidS]

5. Oh Well

[Celerity]

8. Another day another senseless gun death (likely far more) in 2nd Amendment-poisoned USA

Fucked up Constitution and millions of fucked up people. Broken, yet it all will be defended to end, it's a maelstrom of death.

[Rocknation]

10. She stopped playing with her new bike long enough to get into the truck

Last edited Thu Jan 6, 2022, 01:06 PM - Edit history (1)

and get the gun out of it...


Rocknation

[aeromanKC]

11. Mayim, I'll take "What will never happen in my house" for $1,000 please.

Still hard not to put Alex in that line.

[ProfessorGAC]

14. With Apologies To Mayim...

...I think it's ok to still use Alex.
He and the show were synonymous for decades!

[Hortensis]

13. Poor baby. Poor everyone. nt

[70sEraVet]

17. Instead of "She picked up a pistol and shot herself in the head by accident,"

the police report should have read "Three year old killed by negligent gun-owner".

[DLevine]

18. +1

[CloudWatcher]

35. Accident my ass

The word accident is frequently used for undesired consequences of risky behavior.

This was no accident.

[Crunchy Frog]

19. Why is the responsibility assigned to the child and not the adult who left the gun lying around?

She didn't shoot herself, she was the victim of a negligent discharge by an adult FFS.

It's becoming clear that members of American gun culture want all the freedumbs and none of the responsibilities.

Poor murdered kid.

[TeamProg]

32. LOCK HIM UP !!

[dawn5651]

33. leaving a loaded gun where a kid can get the weapon and kill themselves is not a accident. i hope

whoever left that loaded weapon in a vehicle that was accessible to aylee is charged to the fullest extent possible

[Demovictory9]

45. RIP

[Progressive Jones]

48. Her fucking moron father needs to do the honorable thing. It only takes a second. nt

[Progressive Jones]

50. What kind of a brain-dead, inbred trash bag leabes a 9MM on a vehicle seat??? nt

[Vinca]

52. The way the statement is written it sounds like they're blaming the kid.