In a startling development, a pistol was discovered in the bag of a 10-year-old student by school authorities in Delhi. The incident, which occurred recently, led the school administration to alert the Delhi police. The pistol, which belonged to the child’s deceased father, is now in the process of being decommissioned.
The Delhi police are focusing on delicensing the weapon and conducting a thorough investigation into how the child came into possession of the firearm. This case has raised significant concerns about gun safety and accessibility for minors.
This incident is part of a troubling pattern involving children and firearms in India. In May of this year, a 10-year-old in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, accidentally shot and killed his 16-year-old sister with a handmade pistol he found at home. Another case in Lucknow that same month involved a 12th-grade student who locked himself in his room with a pistol and threatened self-harm due to academic pressure. After a tense 12-hour standoff, the police successfully intervened.
Moreover, in July, a five-year-old in Bihar took a gun to school and accidentally shot a 10-year-old student. These incidents have highlighted the severe consequences of firearm access among children. The Superintendent of Police in the affected areas has called on parents and school staff to be vigilant about what children carry in their bags.
In Chhattisgarh, a young boy brought a gun to school, leading to the arrest of his father and uncle for illegal firearm possession. The incident also resulted in injuries to both men, further underscoring the urgent need for improved gun safety measures.
The recent incidents have sparked discussions on the importance of securing firearms and preventing their accessibility to minors, stressing the need for stringent regulations and oversight to safeguard children and prevent tragic accidents.