A nine year old shot a man in America....

[Boris+]

It's been on the news that a nine year old shot her shooting instructor in America, and that's dreadful - but what's going to happen to the child?

Em

[david63]

Maybe, just maybe it may go in some small way towards the reduction in the "right to bear arms" insanity that some Americans worship.

[towny44]

Maybe, just maybe it may go in some small way towards the reduction in the "right to bear arms" insanity that some Americans worship.

Yes and pigs might fly as well.

[Stephen]

Only in America.

What parent in their right mind would allow their child regardless of age anywhere near fire arms let alone an Uzi sub machine gun. And the instructor should have also known better.

The only sympathy I have is for the child. It must have been a terrible shock for her.

I don't think the yanks will ever learn as long as I have a hole up my **se.

[GillD46]

Only in America.

What parent in their right mind would allow their child regardless of age anywhere near fire arms let alone an Uzi sub machine gun. And the instructor should have also known better.

The only sympathy I have is for the child. It must have been a terrible shock for her.

I don't think the yanks will ever learn as long as I have a hole up my **se.

And that poor child has to live with this the rest of her life. Tragic.

[Boris+]

At the very least people will talk about this child and her family behind their backs. It could very well be life changing for this child and her family; and what of the victim's family.

It's a very tragic event, but was it 'an accident waiting to happen' I wonder?

I know that youngsters are permitted in some circumstances - under very strict conditions - to use and be trained with firearms in the UK - but not at such a young age as 9 years old. I understand that this ridiculous 'bullets and burgers' place where the incident happened actually sets the age limit at 8 years old!!!

When will they learn?

Em

[Silver_Shiney]

I joined the Cadet Force as soon as I was old enough, at the age of 13. It wasn't until a year later that I was allowed on the rifle range, and then only with a Browning .22 rifle. That is still a deadly weapon.

But an Uzi?? To a very small child?? What are these people thinking of?

[Mervyn and Trish]

We see pictures of kids in the Middle East wielding various firearms and are rightly horrified, and this has the same effect on me. It's just bonkers.

[Andrea S]

Words fail me on the mentality of so many American people.

What is so wrong in having a carefully controlled 'gun license ' department.

The argument is always referring to the 2nd amendment which enables individuals to carry guns , currently with no restrictions.

We have seen the evidence of this with people running amok and countless lives lost.

At 9 years old why on earth would this little girl prefer to play with guns instead of dolls .

[Boris+]

It seems that the innocence of being young is something which is a luxury not afforded to many children nowadays, and I think that's a shame. Maybe it's the world we live in.

I really don't think that children under 15 should be allowed to train with guns - it's most certainly not playing with guns; if they have to get interested in guns, then proper training is a big must.

Personally I would rather see a child of 9 years old being interested in the natural world, or sport.

Em

[david63]

I really don't think that children under 15 should be allowed to train with guns

Nobody should, nor have reason, at any age to train with guns unless it is a requirement of their job - simples

[Andrea S]

Em. Unfortunately America would agree with your last comment. Their meaning of the natural world and sport means shooting deer as a pastime.

[Boris+]

Hi Andrea,

I hadn't thought of that! There's so much to do without taking undue risks or causing harm.

Em