Sad, but true!

The instructor was experienced, had children of his own.
The parents were watching.
When will we learn to see what's right in front of us?
I'm still learning...

Actually not sure state law bans sale of so-called Graffiti Tools to minors. Did that law in NYC and made it illegal to display unlocked. In that context, the unfettered ability of minors to handle guns goes beyond the pale. The problem in some part lies with state and local government unless the federal government can impose. Nevertheless, nothing exonerates parents, the facility, its owner, the instructor, and perhaps the manufacturer. Curious to know the warnings shared with the product.

Your examples have a basic flaw. While it is illegal in some jurisdictions to sell spray paint or cigarettes to minors, there is nothing stopping a parent from buying them and giving them to their child. Not the smartest move in the world, but not illegal.

This was a tragic accident. According to news reports, the instructor was supposed to be bracing the gun to stop it from rising. Obviously something went wrong. Would I want my kids to fire a machine gun at age 9, NO. But would my kids want to, that is another story.

The previous post is mine. forgot to sign in before posting.

So sad for everyone involved. Outting my own feeling aside about gun control....I just do not get the infatuation esp. for a 9 year old. I have anxiety that Emily is just now riding her bike around the block.

I agree with Cindy. I just do not get the infatuation in teaching a child to shoot an automatic weapon. Totally different mind set.

This child has no idea at age 9 of the depth of pain she has caused and of how she will suffer for the rest of her life. I hope, but doubt, that smarter people will be able to guide her.

I am a second amendment supporter who believes in gun control. Couldn't agree more with Janet.

I agree that it is partly the government's fault. As a person who lives 10 miles from Sandy Hook, I was appalled when Congress did not pass sweeping gun control legislation after the tragedy. Gun nuts/NRA supporters have those children's blood on their hands.

I cannot even believe it is legal for a nine year old to be able to shoot an automatic weapon. Her parents must be complete morons. Very tragic and totally preventable with some simple common sense.

As a Member of the Pennsylvania Sheriff's Association, the National Rifle Association and one of the privileged few civilians allowed by the NYPD to carry a concealed pistol in New York City (after a 2 1/2 year wait, six applications, four attorneys and $9,000 in fees), I feel qualified to comment on this tragedy.
First at fault was the so-called "Instructor" (who lost his life in the process of "helping" the little girl shoot a fully-automatic weapon. Something was terribly wrong with his skills and his teaching - because any one who has fired an Uzi knows that the muzzle climbs when the trigger is held back! Did he not counsel the child? Did she fully understand his words? We will never know.
Second at fault were the girl's parents. A fully-automatic weapon is as far from other small arms as a fighter plane is from a piper cub. A child has no business with same - none at all. What were they thinking? A case can be made for adults to own and carry a semi-automatic pistol for self defense, but a fully-automatic weapon is more of an offensive weapon - designed to overcome several enemy soldiers through sheer volume of bullets thrown their way. When would a child ever need that skill?
Fully-automatic weapons (holding back the trigger sends a stream of bullets out of the barrel) are weapons of war, and in the United States can only be legally owned by a civilian by applying for a special Federal license and paying a stiff annual fee. The Uzi in this case was owned by an amusement park licensed for this purpose, who promised the government as a condition of receiving the license that "trained instructors" would be on hand to insure the safety of the public.
So - we are back to the "Instructor" who paid with his life for his carelessness, and the parents for demonstrable bad judgement.