The gun that a toddler used to shoot his mother at Wal-Mart Tuesday was in the zippered pocket of a purse designed to hold a concealed weapon, the woman’s father-in-law said today.

Veronica Rutledge was shopping with her 2-year-old-son and three nieces when the fatal accident occurred at the Hayden store.

“She was not an irresponsible mother, who just said, ‘Oh, I want a gun and went to the gun store and tossed it loosely into her purse.’ The purse was designed a built-in holster,” said Terry Rutledge, her father-in-law. “Unfortunately, an inquisitive 2-year-old boy unzipped the compartment while his mother was looking at clothing with her three young nieces, and accessed the gun.”

Veronica Rutledge, 29, was a hunter and target shooter, who had a concealed weapons permit. The purse with the holster was a Christmas gift from her husband, Colt. More here. Becky Kramer, SR

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