Groton - A Groton man was arrested Thursday after police said he had a semi-automatic pistol within reach of two young children.

Police were called about 6 p.m. Thursday to check on the man's wellbeing, out of concern he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs and possessed firearms, Groton Lt. John Varone said.

When officers arrived at the house, "they observed, in plain view, firearms that were readily available to small children," Varone said.

The man was alone with the children, ages 6 and 7, who, following Thursday's incident, were sent to stay with family members. Police seized the weapon.

Zachary M. Watrous, 31, of 393 Gold Star Highway, was arrested and charged with two counts of risk of injury to a minor and two counts of failure to secure a loaded firearm. He initially was held on a $25,000 bond, which was later reduced on a promise Watrous would appear in court in two weeks.

Varone declined to say whether Watrous was registered as the gun's owner. No further information was provided about the children.

State law forbids storing or keeping a loaded firearm on premises where a person "knows or reasonably should know that a minor is likely to gain access to the firearm without the permission of the parent or guardian." It provides an exception for a firearm locked in a box or carried on one's person or so close it can be accessed as if it were carried. Many police stations provide free locking devices for weapons to keep them from firing.

Varone said failing to secure a firearm is a relatively rare charge. "We find that most gun owners and most permittees within our town are very responsible, both with their care and also with the security of their weapons," he said.

Varone said simply storing firearms is insufficient under the law.

"It's not just keeping them out of the reach of children, it's denying the children the ability, period, to use those weapons when not under adult supervision. So that's why it's a very unusual charge," Varone said.

Situations when children do obtain firearms "can be extremely tragic," he said.

In August 2008, Wyatt Matteau, 2, of Jewett City fatally shot himself after picking up his father's loaded pistol from a bedside table. Wyatt's parents, Jason R. and Rebecca L. Matteau, were charged with criminal negligence but did not serve time in jail.

d.straszheim@theday.com

Twitter: @DStraszheim