5-Year-Old Kills 2-Year-Old With His Own Gun

Meanwhile, in Kentucky:

(Reuters) - A 2-year-old girl was accidentally shot and killed by her 5-year-old brother with a rifle he received as a birthday gift, Kentucky authorities said on Wednesday. 

The shooting occurred on Tuesday afternoon in Burkesville, Kentucky, a community in the south-central part of the state, when the boy was playing with the .22-caliber rifle and accidentally shot his sister in the chest, state police said.

Can anyone explain to me why a 5-year-old was given a rifle for his birthday?  Freedom is not an acceptable answer.  5-year-olds do not have any freedom and certainly have no conflicts a .22-rifle would help solve.

There are several manufacturers that make guns specifically for children.  This is one of them.