8 year old at a gun show

[Nwbie]

http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=0b0b06d0-c97e-44d3-9395-e0cb406d0fed

8 year old kills self with uzi at a gun show with genius instructor and father

[Mickey1992]

Very sad.  I would not let an 8 year-old handle a push lawnmower, let alone a fully automatic weapon.

[sluggish]

Having a young son myself, I cannot help but be overwhelmed by stories like this.  Any time a young innocent life like this is snuffed out it is a travesty.  Having fired automatic weapons myself many times I can picture in my mind exactly what happened and it is horrifying but predictable.  Such a young child should NEVER be allowed to fire such a weapon.  The boy's father will have to live with this horribly stupid and tragic mistake for the rest of his life.  I personally wouldn't be able to carry on.

[Xasthur]

Senseless waste.

[MotleyCH]

He was way to young to be handling a gun of this type. I wouldn't allow letting my kids handle a gun on a range with more than one round loaded.

His father will have to live with the loss of his son, I can't even imagine doing so.

[VonMessa]

All a matter of perspective, I think.

Poll some Israeli's, find out how early they begin weapons training.  ( I honestly don't know, but I think it's pretty young)

So, I think the age is a non-factor.  Experience, and knowledge (or the lack thereof) is the important thing here.   Equally as important would be the lack of CLOSE supervision for the kids first time at it.  I.E. Dad being at his side so the kid got the feel for it, first.  Instead, this love muffin was grabbing for the camera.  Great parenting practices, Chuck.

It is directly, the father's and instructor's fault.  Father, knowing the child had never fired an Uzi before, and the instruc-tard for not asking or assisting the kid, himself.

[Xasthur]

No eight year old kid of mine will ever fire a lethal weapon.

This article is a screaming example of stupidity at its worst.

[Anaxogoras]

Father should get an Honorable Mention Darwin Award.  If I were the dad I would shoot myself to assure first prize.

[Obie303]

Hear a lot about this yesterday on the news.  It happened when there was a sportsman show going on.  Members from the club said that usually there are more range officials than shooters on the line.  It appears that because of the show, they were overwhelmed.  Still, there are no excuses for such a tragic loss of life.  From what I've heard from actual members of the club was that the kid was being supervised and then asked if he wanted to try shooting the weapon by himself.  The supervisor was behind him, just not holding the weapon.  Just a horrible mistake.

No eight year old kid of mine will ever fire a lethal weapon.

All weapons are lethal.  But you are right, Xasthur.  No eight year old kid should have been handling this weapon alone.

[VonMessa]

No eight year old kid of mine will ever fire a lethal weapon.

This article is a screaming example of stupidity at its worst.

Mine already have, as did I, under DIRECT SUPERVISION.

Now they are not curious what it is like, nor will they try to satisfy that curiosity without me around.  

[MrRiplEy[H]]

I'd say giving a large handgun to a 8-year old is questionable but doable under close supervision i.e. holding his hand.

Giving an uzi FULL AUTO knowing it's the first time the child ever tries something like this is criminally stupid. The parents and the supervisor should be sued for criminal negligence and manslaughter.

[VonMessa]

I'd say giving a large handgun to a 8-year old is questionable but doable under close supervision i.e. holding his hand.

Giving an uzi FULL AUTO knowing it's the first time the child ever tries something like this is criminally stupid. The parents and the supervisor should be sued for criminal negligence and manslaughter.

I agree, prosecute. 

Stupidity should be painful.

[DYNAMITE]

what a tragedy.

 

[Furball]

Poor kid, poor father. 

[bongaroo]

Horrible news.  Let the kids learn under direct supervision with a bolt action, single shot loaded .22  How everyone in my family learned.

8 years seems awfully young still, and an AUTOMATIC uzi?  jeez.