Virginians being charged under new laws for ‘recklessly’ leaving guns near children

CHESTERFIELD, Va.- A Virginia man has been convicted of leaving a loaded firearm near his young son, who accidentally shot himself in the hand.

The case is one of the first to be prosecuted under a new Virginia law that boosts the penalty for “recklessly” leaving guns near children.

Radell J. Bolden of Chesterfield was sentenced to a year in jail with all 12 months suspended. Bolden also got 24 hours of community service. He must forfeit his gun and complete a firearm safety class.

The new law makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to leave a loaded, unsecured firearm around children under 14 in a manner that endangers their life or safety.