8 year old at a gun show

[VonMessa]

While that's 100% true without a doubt, the prosecution should be done to set a legal presedence to deter future attempts on such stupidity. If not on the father then the instructor.

My point exactly.

[RTHolmes]

I'm amazed that any qualified weapons instructor would let ANYONE fire a weapon on full auto initially with anything other then a partial clip.

really. as a kid we were allowed to fire a Bren only after becoming proficient with .22 then .303, and then it was with only 3or4 rounds in the clip, prone, and with a bipod.

[007Rusty]

very sad story 

[Shamus]

I bet Mom is pissed.

shamus

[Modas]

I'm sure that most American family's don't let their kids handle guns, let alone full automatic weapons.

Surely you jest.  I was shooting with my father (.22's and .410 shotgun) by the time was 8 (under his supervision), hunting with him at 10 (but not carrying) and carrying (while hunting) by myself at age 12 after taking hunters safety.  A fork is potentially just as dangerous to yourself as a firearm is if you aren't trained how to use it.  You could potentially stab yourself in the head with a fork while trying to feed yourself if you aren't properly trained.  A firearm is no exception.

Of course I'm being somewhat of a smart-butt with the fork analogy, but not much.  Its all about education, training and respect.

[Hangtime]

Statistics can be manipulated for your own desire, I would love to check your data. I'm sure that most American family's don't let their kids handle guns, let alone full automatic weapons. I'm also sure a lot of kids play soccer though. Sounds like a statistic the NRA would use.

I also think you should be looking away from the soccer ball and more towards what hit the child among other things.

right. how foolish of me. a complete humane solution must be applied.

outlaw children playing outside of state supervised cages.

it's the only sane choice.

[bongaroo]

A fork is potentially just as dangerous to yourself as a firearm is if you aren't trained how to use it.  You could potentially stab yourself in the head with a fork while trying to feed yourself if you aren't properly trained.  A firearm is no exception.

A shot to the cheek by the untrained fork user is a shoddy comparison to your head being blown up by the untrained uzi user.

[rabbidrabbit]

A hoot to the cheek by the untrained fork user is a shoddy comparison to your head being blown up by the untrained uzi user.

You never ate lunch with Modas have you?

[Masherbrum]

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.

These two statements negate each other.   

[VonMessa]

Feel free to elaborate.

[Vulcan]

Why had a kid been given an instrument to kill another human being anyway ?

Because it's a great way of disappating curiosity. The police here (NZ, where we have reasonable tough gun laws) recommend supervised handling and firing of weapons by children as good way to kill curiosity - and teaching respect for firearms. My 3.5 year old has handled my 223 and shot our air rifle. He's well aware of the consequences of the guns to the point where HE decided he did not want to handle the 223 as it was "danger".

However I doubt I'd trust myself on an uzi on automatic let alone an 8 year old.

[glock89]

Because it's a great way of disappating curiosity. The police here (NZ, where we have reasonable tough gun laws) recommend supervised handling and firing of weapons by children as good way to kill curiosity - and teaching respect for firearms. My 3.5 year old has handled my 223 and shot our air rifle. He's well aware of the consequences of the guns to the point where HE decided he did not want to handle the 223 as it was "danger".

However I doubt I'd trust myself on an uzi on automatic let alone an 8 year old.

Same.

[captain1ma]

unfortunately its a very tragic accident. now this will give the anti-gunners in massachusetts just that much more ammunition. they're all screaming about it but the fact is, it is still just an accident. i dont see anyone banning cheerleading squads and more kids get kill cheerleading then they do with guns. i dont see anyone banning automobiles because of the 70,000 plus a year people getting killed by cars. lets take doctors, they're more dangerous then even loaded guns, why isnt anyone trying to ban them??

the fact is an 8 year old died yes
the fact is someone screwed up yes
the fact is this sort of thing almost never happens yes

so lets not get too crazy over its folks, take a deep breath, be greatful it wasnt your kid, and go on with your life. next week no one will care anyway.

[Shamus]

The instructor should never instruct again, don't think he should be charged criminally, hopefully tort reform has not insulated him totally from some responsibility.

Dad has already paid the price, anyone who thinks he should be charged is a heartless moron.

shamus     
 

[Masherbrum]

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.

If anything happened to my Son, I'd be devastated.   I wouldn't be here on Earth long.   It'd be a hole that would never be filled.