Photo: Warren County Police Department
A Michigan father is the first person to be charged under the state's newly enacted safe gun storage law after his eight-year-old son shot himself in the face.
Last year, Michigan passed a gun control law that required owners to store their firearms in a locked box or container if they are children living in the home or planning to come to the house. They also have the option of securing their guns with locking devices.
The law took effect in February, and violators face a penalty of 93 days in prison or a fine of up to $500.
Authorities accused 56-year-old Theo Nichols of violating that new law after his eight-year-old son got a hold of his gun and shot himself in the face on April 19.
The young boy survived and remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Prosecutors said that the boy used a chair to reach a Glock 40-caliber handgun, which was stored on the top of a cabinet in the kitchen. They also noted that Nichols is barred from owning a firearm due to a prior felony conviction.
Nichols was taken into custody and is facing numerous charges, including second-degree child abuse, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and firearm safe storage violations.
"In the wake of this tragic incident, we are reminded of the profound responsibility that comes with gun ownership," Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido said in a statement.
"It serves as a tragic warning to every parent out there. Do your part. Do not back down. If you own a gun, you have children, and their safety is at risk," Lucido said during a news conference.