Child Endangerment: Mesa Police Officer’s Troubling Gun Handling Practices

Jessica T
3 min readJul 17, 2024

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The Dangers of Irresponsible Gun Ownership: Mesa Police Officer Shawn Freeman’s Concerning Behavior Exposed

Mesa Police Officer Shawn Freeman’s reckless gun ownership is evident in his actions of giving a child live ammunition as a toy and instructing her on how to load magazines with numerous loaded firearms easily accessible to her on a regular basis.

The behavior of Officer Freeman in allowing a child to handle live ammunition in the presence of loaded firearms is highly irresponsible and could have potentially disastrous consequences. Incidents involving children and guns are unfortunately common, and it is crucial for law enforcement officers to prioritize safety and responsible gun handling practices at all times.

Teaching a child of this age how to load a firearm is concerning, especially when they can not fully understand the serious consequences of using a gun. Additionally, allowing a child of this age to handle bullets poses a significant risk, as they could accidentally swallow them, resulting in a choking hazard or medical emergency.

Officer Freeman consistently left his firearms and ammunition easily accessible to the child, regardless of his presence, making it impossible for him to effectively supervise the child’s access to these dangerous items. This lack of proper supervision posed a significant risk to the child’s safety and well-being.

Moreover, Officer Freeman’s habit of drinking excessively while in the presence of the child resulted in him being unable to properly supervise the situation. This reckless behavior not only endangered the child’s well-being but also highlighted a concerning lack of judgment on Officer Freeman’s part.

Mesa Police Officer Shawn Freeman giving a young child ammunition to play with on multiple occasions and teaching her how to load bullets into magazines while numerous loaded and unsecured firearms are regularly left within the child’s reach

It is crucial for individuals in positions of authority, such as Officer Freeman, to prioritize the safety of those under their care. By failing to properly secure firearms and ammunition and by consuming alcohol to the point of incapacitation, Officer Freeman not only failed in his duty to supervise the child but also actively contributed to the potential harm that could befall her. Such reckless behavior cannot be tolerated, especially from a Law Enforcement Officer who has repeatedly witnessed the tragic consequences of irresponsible gun ownership.

A Shared Goal: Securing Firearms to Protect Children

Despite the ongoing debate about gun control in the United States, there is widespread consensus that preventing young children from accessing loaded, unsecured firearms should be a top priority for responsible gun owners. This issue is seen as a solvable problem, with both gun industry and gun control advocates agreeing that proper storage of firearms is crucial in limiting children’s access to them.

Everytown, an advocacy group for firearm safety, has gathered data from 2015 to 2022 which reveals a troubling trend: nearly every day, a child in America accidentally discharges a firearm, resulting in injuries and even deaths. And children under 6 are among the most likely victims.

The absence of criminal liability for persons who fail to properly store their firearms under current laws in Arizona is concerning. Children can only gain access to firearms if they are improperly secured. The persons responsible for this type of violence is not the child, but rather the adult who carelessly left the firearm in a location that a child had access.

Each day, a child accidentally pulls the trigger of a gun, causing harm or even death to others. This type of gun violence is entirely avoidable. It underscores the critical importance of storing firearms responsibly to shield young children from the risks associated with guns.

Follow Along For More Troubling Incidents Involving Mesa Police Officer Shawn Freeman

Mesa Police Officer Shawn Freeman Gives a Child Live Ammunition as a Toy and teaches her to load Magazines while Loaded, Unsecured Firearms are Frequently left Within her Reach
Child Endangerment: Mesa Police Officer Shawn Freeman gives child ammunition to play with as a toy and teaches her how to load magazines while loaded, unsecured firearms are often left within her reach.

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