2-Year-Old Shot on Chicago’s West Side After Finding Unlocked Gun

I wish stories like this didn’t keep happening—but they do. Monday night, on the West Side of Chicago, a 2-year-old boy somehow got hold of a gun inside a home. Police say he walked into a bedroom, found the firearm, and moments later, there was a loud bang. A man inside the house rushed in and found the child with a graze wound on his wrist.

The boy was taken to Stroger Hospital. Thankfully, he’s expected to be okay.

No one’s been arrested yet. The investigation is still open.

But here’s the thing: this isn’t just about what happened in one home. It’s about how easily something like this can happen—especially when guns are left unlocked, loaded, and within reach of curious kids. You might think it’s rare. It’s not.

If you’re reading this as a parent, caregiver, or gun owner, I want you to ask yourself something: Could a child in your home find a weapon if they tried?

We’re going to talk more about what went wrong here, why it keeps happening in cities like Chicago, and what you can do right now to prevent the next one.

What Happened in That Chicago Home?

Let me walk you through exactly what went down.

According to Fox 32 Chicago, this happened just before 8:30 p.m. on Monday night, in the 400 block of North Lawndale Avenue on Chicago’s West Side. A 2-year-old boy somehow made his way into a bedroom inside the home. That’s where the gun was.

A man inside the home told police he heard a loud noise and found the toddler injured—with a graze wound to his wrist.

The child was rushed to Stroger Hospital. He’s stable, and that’s the good news.

No one’s been arrested. Police are still investigating, but the fact that a child had such easy access to a firearm? That tells you everything you need to know about what didn’t happen here: basic gun safety.

And if you’re a parent or someone who owns a gun, that should hit you hard.

From unsecured firearms to unfenced pools, we’ve seen how fast normal homes can turn into danger zones—like in this Pennsylvania case involving a near drowning.

This Isn’t a One-Time Thing—It’s Part of a Bigger Problem

You might be thinking, “How often does this actually happen?” More often than most people realize.

Over 4.6 million kids in the U.S. live in homes where guns are either loaded, unlocked—or both. That’s not a small oversight. That’s a daily risk. And here’s the harsh truth: the majority of these accidents happen at home, just like this one.

Kids are naturally curious. You already know that. They don’t see a gun and think “lethal weapon”—they see something new, something shiny, something adults treat like a secret.

And when you pair that curiosity with a loaded, unsecured firearm? It’s a tragedy waiting to happen.

In 2023 alone, there were over 160 accidental shootings by children under the age of 13 in the U.S. Dozens died. Many more were injured. And nearly every single one of those shootings was preventable.

This isn’t just about statistics. This is about real kids, real families, and split-second moments that change lives forever.

Have you ever had a close call or seen a situation where a child was put at risk because of a gun? Drop your thoughts in the comments—we need to talk about this more openly.

Why Do Guns Keep Getting Left Out Around Kids?

Here’s the part that frustrates me the most: We know how to prevent this. So why does it still happen?

Sometimes it’s laziness. Sometimes it’s false confidence. A parent thinks, “My kid would never touch it,” or “It’s hidden well enough.”

Other times, it’s about routine. The gun gets set down just for a minute, maybe after work or cleaning. And in that minute, a child walks in.

I’ve also talked to parents who simply didn’t know the risks—or didn’t believe something like this could happen to them.

But you and I both know: kids don’t follow rules the way we hope they will. They explore. They climb. They open drawers we forgot existed.

And if we leave a loaded gun within reach, we’re setting them up to fail.

It’s not just guns—everyday household hazards can put children in danger, like what happened recently in Palmyra when a 3-year-old suffered severe burns in a home fire

What Illinois Law Actually Says About Guns Around Children?

Let’s be real—this isn’t just about bad judgment. In Illinois, it’s also about breaking the law.

Under state law, if a child under 14 gets their hands on a firearm due to someone’s failure to properly store it, that adult can be criminally charged.

It’s called a Child Access Prevention (CAP) law. And yes, it’s in effect here in Chicago.

So if you’re storing a gun in your home, even legally, the law expects you to do it responsibly. That means locked. Unloaded. Out of reach. Period.

But here’s the kicker—prosecutions under CAP laws are still rare. Which means unless something tragic happens, many people skate by. And that’s a huge gap in accountability.

Don’t be the person who finds out what the law says after something goes wrong.

If You Own a Gun, Here’s How to Make Sure This Doesn’t Happen to You

Look, I’m not here to shame anyone for owning a firearm. You have your reasons. But with that right comes serious responsibility—especially if there are kids anywhere near your home.

Here’s what you should be doing, starting today:

• Use a gun safe — biometric or key lock, doesn’t matter, as long as it works.
• Store ammunition separately from the firearm.
• Use trigger locks or cable locks. Many local police departments give them out for free.
• Do a weekly “gun audit.” Ask yourself: Is it locked? Is it loaded? Could a child access it, even by climbing or moving furniture?
• Talk to your kids. Not to scare them, but to teach them that guns are not toys—and to walk away and alert an adult if they ever see one.

One more thing: if your child visits someone else’s home, don’t be afraid to ask if they have guns—and how they’re stored. It might feel awkward, but it could save your child’s life.

And if you’re not sure where to start, the Be SMART campaign has clear, non-political resources to guide you.

You can’t take back a gunshot. But you can prevent one.

What Happens Next in This Case: Will Anyone Be Held Accountable?

So far, no one’s been arrested in connection with this shooting. The gun wasn’t fired at the child—but it also wasn’t secured. That’s what makes it complicated.

According to WGN-TV, the Chicago Police Department is still investigating. They haven’t released whose gun it was, whether it was legally owned, or if charges might be filed.

In cases like this, investigators usually check for:

• Who legally owned the firearm
• Whether it was registered
• If the home had a valid FOID card (Firearm Owner’s ID)
• If the child had access due to negligence

But here’s what bothers me: many cases like this fade from public view after the initial news cycle. We don’t always find out if the adult is held responsible, or if the system just quietly moves on.

You deserve answers. That family deserves accountability. And Chicago deserves a better handle on this recurring issue.

Just last month, a tragic case in Arizona showed how fast things can spiral when firearms are left accessible to children—read more about it here.

What You Can Do Right Now to Keep Your Kids Safe?

Whether you own a gun or not, you probably care about one thing: making sure your child doesn’t end up in a similar situation.

So here’s what I recommend you do today:

• Audit your home — even if you think everything is safe. Check every drawer, closet, nightstand.
• Talk to your partner, relatives, or roommates. Ask them directly: “Do you have a gun? Where is it kept?”
• Have the tough conversations before playdates. Ask other parents about firearms in their homes. It’s awkward—but worth it.
• Buy a gun lock or small safe. Even a $20 lock from Amazon is better than nothing.
• Teach your child early. Use age-appropriate language. Make sure they know: if they ever see a gun, they must not touch it—and tell an adult right away.

You don’t need to wait for a tragedy to make your home safer.

If you’re someone who likes staying updated on home safety incidents and tips across the U.S., there’s a growing WhatsApp space where people quietly share alerts and insights before they hit the mainstream.

Final Thoughts

I can’t stop thinking about how quickly this could’ve turned deadly.

One unlocked drawer. One loaded gun. One unsupervised moment. That’s all it took.

That child got lucky. Not every child does.

If you’ve got a firearm, double-check how it’s stored—right now. If you don’t own one, make sure your child isn’t playing in a home where someone else is being careless.

This isn’t about being anti-gun. It’s about being pro-kid.

Let’s make sure this never becomes your headline.

For more stories on child safety, real-life incidents, and what you can do to protect your home, visit our Home Security section.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not offer legal or medical advice. For concerns related to gun safety or injuries, please consult qualified professionals. All facts are accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publishing.