Brent Reaney
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (July 11/05) - A Rankin Inlet man faces charges relating to unsafe firearms storage in connection with the death of a Rankin Inlet boy last month.

The body of the seven-year-old boy was found near a shed just outside town, June 1.

A police investigation found the boy was shot accidentally by a gun he and a friend found in the shed. Police are encouraging residents to make sure their guns are locked and properly stored when not in use.

"And the ammunition has to be stored in a different place and locked separately," said Const. Dominic Milotte.

Residents with unsafe guns not currently being used can have them disposed of by the RCMP, Milotte said.

Norman Ford is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 15 in Rankin Inlet to answer to the charges.