7-year old West Virginia boy fights for his life after being shot in the chest with a pellet gun

A 7-year old boy in Seth, West Virginia, was playing with a "high-powered pellet gun" with his siblings when one of the siblings pulled the trigger, and he was shot in the chest.  The boy is currently in the hospital in critical condition.

From an article:

Boone County Sheriff Rodney Miller was disturbed when he heard that the boy and his sibling were playing with the gun when it went off.

“We have a young child in the hospital with life-threatening injuries that was created by this weapon. Some people may call it a toy. Obviously it's not,” Miller said.

The shooting was accidental, but an investigation is still being launched. Deputies want to know where the adults were, and why the gun wasn't in a secure place.

“There's no excuse. It has to be done. We can't afford to let children injure themselves or each other by accident,” Miller said. “Weapons were only created for one reason and that's to kill; whether it's to hunt for game or for protection.”

Pellet guns don't fall under the same laws as other firearms; meaning there’s no license or training required.

However, law enforcement says those who buy these weapons still need to be extra careful; especially when children are around.

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