{"id":38562,"date":"2015-06-18T09:21:57","date_gmt":"2015-06-18T13:21:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/?p=38562"},"modified":"2015-06-18T09:21:57","modified_gmt":"2023-08-18T19:31:42","slug":"parents-arrested-for-letting-toddler-play-with-gun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/parents-arrested-for-letting-toddler-play-with-gun\/","title":{"rendered":"Parents Arrested For Letting Toddler Play With Gun"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"What<\/a>

What kind of dingbat gives their baby a gun and then films them acting unsafely with it? (Photo: Vanderburgh County Jail<\/em>)<\/p><\/div>An Evansville, Indiana mother and father were arrested after<\/a> they gave their toddler a handgun and encouraged the child to play with it.<\/p>\n

Michael Barns and Toni Wilson videoed their terrible decision, providing detectives with irrefutable proof of their wanton disregard for their child\u2019s safety. <\/p>\n

In the video, the child can be seen wrapping his finger around the trigger and putting the gun his mouth. The toddler also holds the gun out and pretends to shoot it.<\/p>\n

Being a parent is difficult and most mistakes are forgivable, even tragic ones. But when both parents think it\u2019s a good idea to arm their child with a firearm, loaded or otherwise, there can be no grace, and the judge felt the same way.<\/p>\n

Barnes was sentenced to 15 months in prison after pleading guilty to charges of neglect of a dependent and criminal recklessness. His girlfriend, Toni, was also arrested but has yet to be arraigned. <\/p>\n