Basil, aged 14, lived in a large metropolitan city, but spent his summer vacations with his parents at a cottage in a remote wilderness area of the province. On his 14th birthday, his father presented him with a pellet rifle and provided him with instruction on the safe handling of the weapon. The father specified that the gun was only to be used at the cottage. Basil used the pellet rifle to rid the cottage of area rodents during his vacation. On their return to the city, Basil’s father stored the weapon and the supply of pellets in his workshop closet. He warned Basil that he must not touch the rifle until the next summer, but did not lock the cabinet in which the weapon was stored. One day, when Basil was entertaining a few friends at his home, he mentioned his summer hunting activities. At the urging of his friends, he brought out the pellet gun for examination. Basil demonstrated the ease with which the magazine could be filled, and how the weapon operated. He then emptied the magazine and allowed his friends to handle it. The gun was returned to him and, as he was replacing it in the cabinet, the weapon discharged. He was unaware that a pellet had remained in the weapon, and that he had accidentally charged the gun when he handled it. The pellet struck one of his friends in the eye, and an action was brought against Basil and his parents for negligence. Discuss the liability (if any) of Basil and his parents, and the defences (if any) that might be raised. Render a decision.

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As Basil is still a minor it is the responsibility of his parents to ensur... View the full answer