A Michigan man was sentenced to prison on Monday after his loaded, unlocked shotgun was used in the accidental death of his 5-year-old grandson, marking one of the first convictions under the state's new gun storage law.
Five-year-old Braxton Dykstra was accidentally shot and killed by his 6-year-old cousin using Karl Robart's unlocked, loaded shotgun. The incident occurred in April at Robart's home in Newaygo County, as Braxton's 8-year-old sister looked on.
Robart was convicted under Michigan's new gun storage law, which requires firearms to be locked when children are present. The case marks one of the first significant convictions since the law took effect in February.
"This tragedy was 100% avoidable," Judge Robert Springstead said. "All you had to do was listen to the people in your life that were telling you to put these loaded guns away."
Robart, 62, pleaded no contest and will be eligible for parole after 38 months in prison, according to KSTP. His wife faces similar charges in a case that's still pending.
"There's a lot of things I could tell you. It's not going to change what happened," Robart said in court.
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