An Alabama lawmaker, known for his strong support of gun rights, expressed gratitude after a serious incident involving his children. Rep. Ernie Yarbrough, a Republican and father of four, shared that his older son was accidentally shot in the back by his younger brother, who is only six years old. This occurred at their home in Lawrence County.
According to Yarbrough, his 13-year-old son is recovering well after the accident, which he described as a “flesh wound.” Yarbrough mentioned, “Thank God everything is fine. He’s playing basketball with me tonight.”
Lawrence County Chief Deputy Brian Covington reported that the six-year-old managed to access Yarbrough’s .556 AR rifle and accidentally discharged it, shooting his brother in the shoulder. However, details on how the boy got hold of the rifle remain unclear.
It’s also uncertain whether Yarbrough’s other two children were present during the incident. The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office has informed the Alabama Department of Human Resources, as protocol requires reporting such cases involving children.
The District Attorney’s Office in Lawrence County is now investigating the shooting. Yarbrough, a first-term member of the state legislature, has been an outspoken advocate for the Second Amendment. Earlier this year, he introduced a bill aimed at prohibiting “red flag” laws, which are intended to prevent individuals deemed mentally unstable from obtaining firearms; the proposal ultimately did not pass.
This bill included strict penalties for law enforcement officers who followed such regulations, suggesting a civil penalty of $50,000 for compliance. A similar measure was rejected by the state legislature the previous year.
Yarbrough has often highlighted his backing from the National Gun Rights Association, which is noted for its uncompromising stance on gun rights, similar to that of the National Rifle Association.
Attempts to reach Yarbrough for further comments were made.
