This is absurd on all levels. A nine year old child is not responsible. Having the kid charged with weapons possession, silly; I'm sure he didn't own the gun. His parents/uncle/ whoever was responsible for keeping the gun from his possession. As for the other charges, again, absurd. The kid should not have had the chance to put a cocked and loaded gun into his backpack. The adults in his life are supposed to protect him; allowing him to do this is not protecting or nurturing a child. The parents should be charged.
For those of you who think the kid is old enough to make a fully informed choice, and understand what he is doing...
Does your church allow a nine-year-old to be confirmed?
Would you allow a nine-year-old to drive? Why or why not?
Would you allow a nine-year old to eat anything they want? Why or why not?
Would you allow a nine-year-old to drink alcohol? Why or why not?
Should a nine-year-old be allowed to quit school if they don't want to go?
Should a nine-year-old have to pay rent?
Should a nine-year-old have to work for a living?
Do we allow children to live on their own?
We understand that children do not have the reasoning ability or the experience to make choices on their own. We do not, and should not expect them to behave and think like adults. Everyday adults make choices for children; to protect them, to teach them, to nurture them and because they are not capable of making judgements in the same way an adult would. Treating them as an adult when they are frightened and desperate (as this child must have been, to arm himself and plan to run away) is not only silly, it is unfair and unreasonable.