The mother left and two teens were alone in the house. It took the 13-year-old son 10 minutes to find the gun. It was loaded and in a bottom dresser drawer covered by one piece of clothing. It might as well have been on the fireplace mantle.

The 13-year-old shot his 14-year-old cousin in the chest, killing him. The circumstances remain unclear.

The death of JaJuan McDowell, an eighth grader who wanted to be a veterinarian, is not unusual. On a daily basis children under 17 are shooting victims. JaJuan died April 7, 2016 in Savannah, Ga.

For more information on Youth Gun Violence Prevention, go to JJIE Resource Hub | Youth Gun Violence Prevention

So-called accidental deaths in the U.S. are rising as gun ownership…