Last week we ran an editorial about responsible gun ownership.
The impetus was a Sulphur Springs man who was carrying a handgun while at church the previous Wednesday evening.
He was in the church's Family Life Center at the time and accidentally shot himself in the foot. The wound was not severe, he was treated that evening at a hospital and released, and no one else was injured.
It was the kind of story that anti-gun activists love. And the kind those who support the right to bear arms dread.
It turns out much more tragic news was on the horizon.
Last Saturday, during a birthday party in Little River County, a 17-year-old girl was shot and killed.
Investigators believe the shooting was unintentional, as well. But the circumstances were very different from what happened in Sulphur Springs.
According to police and prosecutors, a 41-year-old woman was hosting the party for her daughter. About 32 teens were present. And she was allegedly serving them alcohol.
She was also, allegedly, handling an AR-15 rifle in a reckless manner. Something happened. The gun went off, and Foreman High School student Caitlin Caskey is dead. The woman faces a variety of charges.
Let's be clear. What happened in Sulphur Springs was an accident. There has been no allegation the gun owner there was behaving in an inappropriate manner.
What happened in Little River County is something else again. We won't speculate on the outcome of this case. A court will decide that.
Accidents happen. But thoughtless, irresponsible behavior is different. Someone is responsible. Someone who should have known better. Let us just say that anytime a firearm is discharged and someone is hurt or killed through recklessness, there should be a heavy price to pay.
There is a lesson here. A big one. Gun ownership is a right. But it comes with responsibilities. Never handle a firearm irresponsibly. No matter what. If you do, you aren't fit to own one.