Portland man arraigned for son’s gun access

The father of the 11-year-old Portland boy accused of attempted robbery was arraigned Wednesday on a charge of endangering a child by allowing access to a firearm.

Joseph D. Charlton is the first person charged under an ordinance holding parents responsible when a gun ends up in the hands of a child.

The Oregonian reports the 34-year-old also is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Papers filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court say he was asleep Saturday when his son and a 7-year-old accomplice attempted to rob a woman and take her car. She got away. Police found the boys and took a loaded .22-caliber Derringer from the 11-year-old.

Charlton’s wife says he obtained the handgun a few months earlier for protection.