Gun Owner Faces 3 Years in Jail for Accidental Death of Grandson

A Michigan man has been sentenced to more than three years in prison in the accidental death of his 5-year-old grandson, who was shot by his young cousin with a gun that had been loaded and left unlocked by the 62-year-old.
The incident occurred on April 1, when Braxton Dykstra was fatally shot by his 6-year-old cousin, who had gained access to the firearm at the home of Karl Robart in Newaygo County.
The shooting was witnessed by Braxton’s 8-year-old sister.
The case marks a significant enforcement of Michigan’s new gun storage law, which mandates that firearms must be secured when children are present.
In August, Robart, entered a no contest plea to charges stemming from the violation of the newly enacted law, one of the first notable convictions since it took effect in February.
Judge Robert Springstead emphasized the preventable nature of the tragedy during the sentencing, saying: “This tragedy was 100 percent avoidable. All you had to do was listen to the people in your life who had been telling you to put these loaded guns away.”
According to WZZM out of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Braxton’s father, Domynic Dykstra, made a statement before the judge.
He said: “It destroyed a little 8-year-old girl’s life, Braxton’s big sister. She has to live every day knowing what happened when the gunshot went off. She will always remember that day, probably thinking to herself, what if she was faster to get up and get help?
“The innocence in her eyes is gone. She will never be the same after this horrible tragedy we all are living through. Grandparents are supposed to keep their grand-babies safe.”
Dykstra also acknowledged that the tragedy was not intentional, but drew parallels to other preventable deaths, saying, “Most deaths involving drunken drivers aren’t malicious, either.”
Under the new law, gun owners are required to secure their firearms when minors are present, with penalties varying based on the circumstances, particularly if someone is injured or killed.
Robart has been sentenced to 38 months in prison, after which he may be eligible for parole. A similar case involving his wife is still pending.
Addressing the court, Robart expressed remorse but noted, “There’s a lot of things I could tell you. It’s not going to change what happened,” his voice wavering with emotion.
According to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, at least 21 states have enacted criminal laws addressing the failure to secure firearms from children, underscoring a growing recognition of the importance of responsible gun storage.
This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press.