Nov 19, 2014 2 min read

It was an unthinkable tragedy for the family of Joshua Poremski earlier this month.

In the early morning of Nov. 1, the 28-year-old was allegedly accidentally shot and killed by his cousin, Stephanie Munizza.

According to police and Munizza’s attorney, the two were talking about how easy it would be to acquire a gun and a concealed weapon permit. Police said Poremski handed the gun to Munizza, and told her it was not loaded. It then discharged, shooting Poremski in the upper neck and face.

The family, and Munizza, maintain that it was a tragic accident. At her preliminary hearing Nov. 15, her charges were reduced from first degree murder to involuntary manslaughter and third degree murder. Munizza is from Missouri, and will be staying with Poremski’s parents – her aunt and uncle – until her trial.

This absolutely was a tragic accident, and one that could have been prevented if this country would buck up and impose tighter gun control laws. The fact that the conversation surrounding the incident was about how easy it is to get a gun is incredibly telling.

This accident shows the other side of the need for better laws – this incident didn’t happen because someone was mentally ill, suicidal, homicidal or because someone was in possession of assault weapons.

This happened as a result of carelessness and a false sense of security that the gun wasn’t loaded and couldn’t go off.

The laws need to tighten up, and those responsible citizens who wish to exercise their Second Amendment rights should be required to take a gun safety class before being able to purchase a weapon.

Until something changes, unfortunately, this will not be the last such tragedy to occur.