Another Senseless Tragedy

[Pooky 3,784]

WESTFIELD, Mass. - An 8-year-old boy died after accidentally shooting himself in the head while firing an Uzi submachine gun under adult supervision at a gun fair.

The boy lost control of the weapon while firing it Sunday at the Machine Gun Shoot and Firearms Expo at the Westfield Sportsman’s Club, police Lt. Lawrence Vallierpratte said.

Police said the boy, Christopher Bizilj of Ashford, Conn., was with a certified instructor and called the death a “self-inflicted accidental shooting.”

As the boy fired the Uzi, "the front end of the weapon went up with the backfire and he ended up receiving a round in his head," police Lt. Hipolito Nunez said. The boy died at a hospital.

The boy's father and older brother were also there at the time, a gun club member and school official said. Francis Mitchell, a longtime member and trustee of the club, said he was told the boy's father was supporting his son from behind when the shooting happened.

Although the death appeared to be an accident, officials were investigating.

It is legal in Massachusetts for children to fire a weapon if they have permission from a parent or legal guardian and are supervised by a properly certified and licensed instructor, Lt. Hipolito Nunez said. The name of the instructor helping the boy was not released.

The event ran in conjunction with C.O.P Firearms and Training, said in an ad that people are allowed to fire weapons at vehicles, pumpkins and other targets at the event.

"It's all legal & fun — No permits or licenses required!!!!" reads the ad, posted on the club's Web site.

Messages left on answering machines for the club and the C.O.P. group were not returned Monday.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27399337/

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Authorities in Massachusetts are considering whether criminal charges should be filed in the death of an 8-year-old boy who accidentally shot himself with an Uzi submachine gun at a gun show.

Hampden County District Attorney William Bennett said Tuesday he hasn't been able to find any law that would authorize a child to possess or fire a machine gun.

Christopher Bizilj of Ashford, Conn., was trying out one of the weapons at the Westfield Sportsman's Club on Sunday when he lost control, shooting himself in the head.

An instructor was watching the boy at a firing range and the youngster's father was a few feet away.

Bennett says he's looking into whether anyone committed a reckless or wanton act when they allowed the boy to fire the weapon.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27422805/

Who on Earth encouages an 8 year-old to fire an automatic weapon? What possible use will he have to use one?

What numbnut doesn't realise that a mini-Uzi, with a cyclic rate of 1200 rounds per minute is completely unsuitable for an 8 year-old to fire on his own? The father should have and the range officer definitely should have. I hope they both face criminal negligence charges at the minimum. Involuntary manslaughter is more appropriate for such mindless stupidity.

And don't be surprised if legislation follows, restricting the firing of automatic weapons to those over 18 years old (or even 21). If a trained and experienced firearms instructor can be so stupid, it gives the anti-gun lobby plenty of ammunition (gallows humor at its worst) to get something like this on the books.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Geezes. First of all, guns are for responsible people. At 8 years old, he isn't ready for a big responsibility. Sure, guns are okay because the Constitution allows it. But, it's regulated to control this type of accident and/or incident from occurring.

It's despicable that the father and the shooting range shows no aptitude that a child near guns or the range shouldn't be allowed.

Edited October 28, 2008 by Niels Bohr

[rocks 494]

And don't be surprised if legislation follows, restricting the firing of automatic weapons to those over 18 years old (or even 21). If a trained and experienced firearms instructor can be so stupid, it gives the anti-gun lobby plenty of ammunition (gallows humor at its worst) to get something like this on the books.

what a tragic story.

there isn't current legislation against children using firearms? why does anyone need to fire an uzi unless they are in the military? sounds like a case of napoleon syndrome to me.

i was looking for some info and discovered this...

"Did the US ban assault rifles?

President Clinton signed into law a measure that banned assault rifles in 1994, but the law expired in 2004. The NRA welcomed the expiration of the law saying it was "good riddance". "

the nra never fail to say something stupid. i'm not anti gun but cmon, how can anyone justify that?

[HAL 9000 96]

Uzi's and assault weapons are mandatory in any home defense arsenal. I personally prefer an old style Howitzer.

Such a tragedy.

[rocks 494]

Uzi's and assault weapons are mandatory in any home defense arsenal. I personally prefer an old style Howitzer.

Such a tragedy.

that argument irritates me so much, a shotgun or rifle is fine for defending your house, even a pitbull is better than that.

[natty bumppo 297]

What numbnut doesn't realise that a mini-Uzi, with a cyclic rate of 1200 rounds per minute is completely unsuitable for an 8 year-old to fire on his own?

1200 rounds per minute ... that equates to 28+ lbs of ammo for the minute ... plus the weight of the firearm

was this belt fed?

Edited October 29, 2008 by Natty Bumppo

[akdiver 3]

Such a tragedy.

And why exactly is this a tragedy, worthy of national news? Is there a big shortage of 8 year old boys in the world that I should be concerned about?

The only tragedy here is that this event may negatively impact me and millions of other responsible, law-abiding citizens.

[Ling Ling 22]

Uzi's and assault weapons are mandatory in any home defense arsenal. I personally prefer an old style Howitzer.

Such a tragedy.

that argument irritates me so much, a shotgun or rifle is fine for defending your house, even a pitbull is better than that.

Home defense is kind of a personal thing. I mean, some people have 2 locks, some 1, and some don't lock their doors.

Not sure we should even be going down this road right now...OK fine, hit the gas.

I learned to fire a gun at an early age...was a police officer...and have done competitive pistol shooting.

I'm not a member of the NRA, and I live in one of the 2 states that doesn't allow concealed carry.

My firearms are locked with trigger gaurds, locked in a safe, and separate from the ammunition. If someone broke in my home, it would take

several minutes for me to "unlock and load". It's not for personal defense, but I also don't have to worry about someone accidentally

shooting me, themselves, or someone else with one of my firearms.

I believe that just as we teach our children to cross the street safely, we also need to teach them about safe handling of firearms.

Even if you don't have one at home, there's a chance a child could come across one at a playmate's home. It happens.

I absolutely don't think that 8 year olds need to learn to shoot automatic weapons, but even taking a child to a gun range,

and letting them pull the trigger on a 22 caliber gun, into a ballon, will give them a lot of respect for the danger of a firearm,

and take away some of the curiosity.

CLEARLY, anyone that lets an 8 year old fire an UZI, is an idiot. But just like crossing the street and sex education,

we can't be silent on the issues and hope the children will just avoid bad situations, or know what to do when they're in a bad situation.

[natty bumppo 297]

Uzi's and assault weapons are mandatory in any home defense arsenal. I personally prefer an old style Howitzer.

Such a tragedy.

that argument irritates me so much, a shotgun or rifle is fine for defending your house, even a pitbull is better than that.

Home defense is kind of a personal thing. I mean, some people have 2 locks, some 1, and some don't lock their doors.

Not sure we should even be going down this road right now...OK fine, hit the gas.

I learned to fire a gun at an early age...was a police officer...and have done competitive pistol shooting.

I'm not a member of the NRA, and I live in one of the 2 states that doesn't allow concealed carry.

My firearms are locked with trigger gaurds, locked in a safe, and separate from the ammunition. If someone broke in my home, it would take

several minutes for me to "unlock and load". It's not for personal defense, but I also don't have to worry about someone accidentally

shooting me, themselves, or someone else with one of my firearms.

I believe that just as we teach our children to cross the street safely, we also need to teach them about safe handling of firearms.

Even if you don't have one at home, there's a chance a child could come across one at a playmate's home. It happens.

I absolutely don't think that 8 year olds need to learn to shoot automatic weapons, but even taking a child to a gun range,

and letting them pull the trigger on a 22 caliber gun, into a ballon, will give them a lot of respect for the danger of a firearm,

and take away some of the curiosity.

CLEARLY, anyone that lets an 8 year old fire an UZI, is an idiot. But just like crossing the street and sex education,

we can't be silent on the issues and hope the children will just avoid bad situations, or know what to do when they're in a bad situation.

why would someone breaking into your home ... use your guns? why would they not bring their own weapons for a "hot" job?

[Ling Ling 22]

Such a tragedy.

And why exactly is this a tragedy, worthy of national news? Is there a big shortage of 8 year old boys in the world that I should be concerned about?

The only tragedy here is that this event may negatively impact me and millions of other responsible, law-abiding citizens.

Why newsworthy? Just like most news, it's to divert our attention from important things going on.

I'm not saying the life of a child isn't important, or isn't tragic...but sadly these type of things happen more often than we hear about them.

We hear about them when the media wants to fuel a certain agenda, or divert from another.

Newsworthy...an interesting word which can be defined in many ways.

[Ling Ling 22]

why would someone breaking into your home ... use your guns? why would they not bring their own weapons for a "hot" job?

It happens more than you'd think. Where do you think all the "stolen guns" come from?

They come from homeowners who fail to protect their firearms properly.

No, criminals don't usually look to use your guns, but if they come across it before you do...they're not going to yield to putting

a whole into you.

[HAL 9000 96]

Well I can't say I'm surprised that the selfish response of worrying only about him/herself instead of having enough smarts to criticize an idiot for handing an assault weapon to a child.

[akdiver 3]

It happens more than you'd think. Where do you think all the "stolen guns" come from? They come from homeowners who fail to protect their firearms properly.No, criminals don't usually look to use your guns, but if they come across it before you do...they're not going to yield to putting a whole into you.

Why do people always assume that home defense refers to protecting oneself from criminals??? The FAR MORE important reason for private citizens to own guns is to protect themselves against the tyranny of the federal government and its operatives!!!!!!! This cannot be overemphasized.

Little Joe Homeowner with a shotgun doesn't have much defense against the local branch of the ATF, FBI, DEA, DHS and whomever else. However, give Little Hoe Homeowner several thousand rounds of armour-piercing ammunition, fully automatic weapons that can fire 1200 rounds per minute, and some good body armour - well - now that may be just enough to hold off tyranny - at least for a little while.

Edited October 29, 2008 by akdiver

[HAL 9000 96]

Um... yeah...

[akdiver 3]

Well I can't say I'm surprised that the selfish response of worrying only about him/herself...

I assume you're referring to me. Far from being selfish, I expressed concern for millions of other responsible, law-abiding citizens. The rights of whom, AFAIC, trump the stupidity of a parent, child and event sponsor any day.