Final answer:
Yes, one can face misdemeanor or felony charges if they negligently store a firearm and a child obtains and misuses it. The exact nature of the charges and penalties vary by jurisdiction and specific circumstances of the incident.
Step-by-step explanation:
You asked if one can face misdemeanor or felony charges if a loaded firearm is left where a child obtains and improperly uses it. The laws regarding firearm storage and child access vary by jurisdiction, but it is generally true that allowing a child to gain access to a firearm can lead to criminal charges. For example, some state laws require that firearms be stored unloaded and secured with a trigger lock or stored in a manner that they are not readily accessible to unauthorized users, particularly children. If these laws are violated, and a child gains access to the firearm and uses it improperly, the firearm owner may face legal repercussions.
Depending on the specifics of the case, such as if the child uses the firearm to cause harm or if there was gross negligence in storing the firearm, the charges can escalate from a misdemeanor to a felony. State law can prescribe penalties for such violations, which, for misdemeanors, may include up to nearly a year in jail and significant fines, for example, up to eleven months and twenty-nine days and a fine not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2500). Felony charges would entail even more severe consequences.