Opinion: Fatal shooting of teen underscores need to strengthen safe firearm storage laws

Even in a city accustomed to gun violence, Saturday’s horror in West Baltimore was a gut-punch. A 15-year-old girl was shot and killed by a 9-year-old boy. Whatever the child’s intent in bringing the loaded gun to the home of teen-age Nykayla Strawder, there is no doubt that the tragedy is a direct result of what might generously be described as carelessness. Were it properly stored, the boy never should have been able to access the weapon, which is registered to a relative who is a security guard. Nykayla died on her family’s front porch, killed by a single shot. She left behind grieving family and friends, including parents who want charges brought against the gun’s owner.