A four-year-old boy in the US nearly died when he accidentally shot himself in the head – the fifth victim of guns in his family.

Na’vaun Jackson suffered permanent, irreversible brain damage, doctors told his family while he was on life support in an induced coma.

The toddler had found a loaded firearm under a pillow at the home of a family friend in California, it was reported.

His family feared he would be the fifth close relative to be shot dead. Na’vaun’s father, Nathan Jackson, lost three siblings to guns, and his mother, Brijjanna Price, lost her brother that way.

Police said Na’vaun found the unlocked gun last month at Terrence Wilson’s home in East Oakland while he was watching television in a bedroom alone. Court documents show that Ms Price and Mr Wilson heard a gunshot, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC Show all 12 1 /12 Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC Protesters hold up signs and flags to show solidarity with House Democrats after they staged a sit in over gun-control laws on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on June 23. 2016. Andrew Caballero/AFP/Getty Images Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC A lone protester wears tape printed with the U.S. flag on her mouth while attending an open hearing of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence where intelligence chiefs, including Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, testified at the U.S. Capitol February 25, 2016 in Washington, DC. Clapper said that the group known as the Islamic State, or ISIS, has become a greater global threat than al-Qaida ever was. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) waves to supporters along with House Democrats after their sit-in over gun-control law on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., June 23, 2016. Yuri Gripas/Reuters Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC Supporters of House Democrats taking part in a sit-in on the House Chamber shout encouragement from outside the U.S. Capitol on June 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. Led by civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) Democrats, have maintained control of the House chamber since this morning demanding a vote on gun control legislation. Pete Marovich/Getty Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC U.S. House Democrats walk out on the East Front on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., after their sit-in over gun-control law, June 23, 2016. Yuri Gripas/Reuters Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC A poster for the gun-control law support is left on the ground on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., June 23, 2016. Yuri Gripas/Reuters Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (R) applauds as Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) (L) waves to supporters along with House Democrats after their sit-in over gun-control law on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., June 23, 2016. Yuri Gripas/Reuters Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC Supporters of House Democrats taking part in a sit-in on the House Chamber shout encouragement from outside the U.S. Capitol on June 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. Led by civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) Democrats have maintained control of the House chamber since this morning demanding a vote on gun control legislation. Pete Marovich/Getty Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (R) and Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) (L) walk out with House Democrats on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., after their sit-in over gun-control law, June 23, 2016. Yuri Gripas/Reuters Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC U.S. House Democrats walk out on the East Front on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., after their sit-in over gun-control law, June 23, 2016. Yuri Gripas/Reuters Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC U.S. House Democrats walk out on the East Front on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., after their sit-in over gun-control law, June 23, 2016. Yuri Gripas/Reuters Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC Protesters hold up signs and flags to show solidarity with House Democrats after they staged a sit in over gun-control laws on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on June 23. 2016. Andrew Caballero/AFP/Getty Images

Mr Wilson, 37, who is banned from owning a firearm, told police he had forgotten the gun was under his pillow, according to the paper.

The boy was rushed to hospital after the accident, and spent a week in intensive care, fighting for his life.

Doctors said he was probably brain-dead and would be unable to walk, according to Jamilia Land, Na’vaun’s aunt, the Chronicle reported.

Ms Land said the family were overjoyed when he awoke. His condition is now said to be stable.

“He’s alive, which we feel like is a miracle. He’s had all the odds against him. He shot himself right in the middle of his forehead between his eyes,” she said.

Police have charged Mr Wilson with criminal possession of a firearm, endangering a child and receiving stolen property, according to the Chronicle.

He was banned from owning firearms after convictions in 2003 for second-degree robbery, grand theft and conspiracy, according to court records, it said.

Ms Land said the extent of Na’vaun’s brain damage is not known.

“We maintain our faith and pray that things will turn out and he will leave [hospital], but with the extent of his injuries, he’ll never be the same,” she added.

She said guns were an epidemic. “We have these killings in our communities all the time, in the African-American community and oftentimes it’s not talked about.

“We can’t seem to escape it.”

Ms Price’s father, Ramon, said: “It was real irresponsible. And unfortunately it was my grandson who got to pay the ultimate price.”

He attributed the city’s gun problems to a lack of education and irresponsible behaviour.

“There’s more people carrying guns than books,” he said.

“We need more preventive measures, [people should know] how to properly store guns and keep guns and the importance of having a gun,” he said.

“Guns are supposed to be used for protection and if you think you need a loaded gun in your house, then there’s something wrong.”