17-year old Washington boy accidentally shoots mother in head with gifted gun

A 17-year old Selah, Washington boy was given a 9mm gun as a gift.  Handling the gun, the boy discharged it, shot through a wall, and shot his mother in the head.  She died shortly after.

From the article:

The 17-year-old Selah boy got the nine-millimeter handgun as a gift. It fired while he was handling the weapon. After passing through a wall, the bullet hit his mom, Vonda Willis-Jean, in the head. She died shortly after in the hospital.

In the Seattle area, there were three other accidental shootings in the last three weeks. Two of those killed two children under eight years old. Now, some state lawmakers are questioning current gun laws.

"We already have a law against reckless endangerment, but that law is really general," said Senator Adam Kline. "Phrasing is something like 'whoever recklessly endangers lives of others, violates the law.' And, that's a gross misdemeanor."

Senator Kline introduced a bill strengthening gun laws and penalties for negligent storage or use of a gun. Similar laws have passed in more than half the country.

"It is our right to own and possess a gun," said Gun Supporter Dave Poling.

Poling carries a concealed weapon at all times. He doesn't see the need for more restrictions.

"I don't think another gun law would have prevented [the incident in Selah,]" Poling said.

But, Poling does believe more education and parental responsibility would have made a difference. It's a point that both sides of the gun debate agree on.

"It really shows some people don't take guns seriously in presence of kids," Senator Kline said.

"Take responsibility, and parents, take that extra added responsibility for your child," Poling said.

Investigators say the 17-year-old had legal possession of the handgun. No charges have been filed.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.