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Father Who Gave Gun to 12-Year-Old Son Claims Weapon Was 'Harmless'
🇬🇷 Greece /Conflict & Security

Father Who Gave Gun to 12-Year-Old Son Claims Weapon Was 'Harmless'

From Ta Nea · (2h ago) Greek Critical tone

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A father in Patras, Greece, is facing charges after giving a firearm to his 12-year-old son and encouraging him to fire it.
  • The father claims the gun was "harmless" and intended for flares, stating his son asked to fire it after winning a medal.
  • The incident was reported by "The Smile of the Child" organization, and the father has been charged with weapons offenses and endangering a minor.

Shocking details have emerged regarding a 35-year-old father in Patras, Greece, who allegedly handed a firearm to his 12-year-old son and encouraged him to shoot, subsequently filming the act and posting it on social media. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation and led to the father's arrest.

Because the little one got his medal, the child asked me to fire a shot. I didn't have a flare to give him. And I told him, 'We'll put a little blank, we'll go to the bathroom together and you'll fire one into the air.'

— 35-year-old fatherThe father explains his reasoning for allowing his son to fire a gun.

Speaking to the media, the father attempted to justify his actions, claiming his son requested to fire the weapon after receiving a medal. He stated he told his son they would go to the bathroom and fire a blank "into the air." When asked if his son fired the weapon, the father defiantly responded, "Of course the child fired!" – an act captured on video by the father himself.

The father insisted that the firearm was "harmless" and specifically a flare gun, which he purchased for 70 euros at a local festival. He further explained that he collects "fake" guns and uses blanks, describing the sound as a mere "pop."

Of course the child fired!

— 35-year-old fatherThe father confirms that his son fired the weapon.

Despite his claims of the gun's harmlessness, the 12-year-old is reportedly in a distressed psychological state, questioning the strong reactions and the police presence at their home. The father faces charges related to weapons offenses and endangering a minor. He has dismissed criticism of his irresponsibility, asserting that his actions are known to the wider social media community.

This gun is harmless and that's why the police let me go on the spot.

— 35-year-old fatherThe father claims the firearm is not dangerous.

The report by "The Smile of the Child" organization was instrumental in bringing this case to light. The father's explanation, particularly his assertion that the weapon is harmless and that he was merely allowing his son to fire a blank, has been met with disbelief and outrage.

If I am irresponsible or not, the whole Facebook and TikTok knows it.

— 35-year-old fatherThe father responds to accusations of irresponsibility.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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