On August 25, 2014, a tragic incident occurred at a shooting range in Arizona. A 9-year-old girl accidentally shot and killed her instructor with an Uzi submachine gun. The shocking incident was captured on video, which has since circulated widely on the internet.
The Shooting Range
The incident took place at the Bullets and Burgers Shooting Range in White Hills, Arizona. The range offers a wide range of firearms for visitors to shoot, including automatic rifles and machine guns. The range prides itself on being a family-friendly venue and welcomes children as young as 8 years old to shoot under the supervision of trained instructors.
The Uzi Submachine Gun
The Uzi is a popular Israeli-made submachine gun that has been in use since the 1950s. It is a compact, lightweight weapon that is known for its high rate of fire and reliability. The Uzi is a popular choice among military and law enforcement agencies around the world.
The Incident
The girl and her family were visiting the shooting range as part of a vacation. The instructor, Charles Vacca, was teaching the girl how to shoot the Uzi when the accident occurred. According to witnesses, Vacca was standing next to the girl and had his hand on the gun when she pulled the trigger. The recoil caused the gun to move upwards, and a bullet hit Vacca in the head. He was airlifted to a nearby hospital but later died from his injuries.
The Video
The entire incident was captured on video by the girl’s parents. The video shows Vacca instructing the girl on how to hold and shoot the Uzi. The girl fires a single shot, and Vacca praises her for her accuracy. He then instructs her to switch the gun to automatic mode, which allows for multiple shots to be fired with a single pull of the trigger. It was during this demonstration that the accident occurred.
Reaction to the Incident
The incident received widespread attention from the media and the public. Many people questioned the wisdom of allowing a child to shoot an automatic weapon and whether the instructor had taken adequate precautions to prevent such an accident from happening. The girl and her family were understandably traumatized by the incident, and the shooting range temporarily closed while an investigation was conducted.
Legal Ramifications
The incident also raised questions about the legality of allowing children to shoot automatic weapons. In Arizona, there are no age restrictions on shooting at a range, and children as young as 8 years old are allowed to shoot under the supervision of an instructor. However, some people argued that allowing a child to shoot an automatic weapon was inherently dangerous and should be prohibited by law.
Lessons Learned
The tragic incident at the Bullets and Burgers Shooting Range served as a wake-up call for many people. It highlighted the need for stricter regulations on shooting ranges and the use of automatic weapons. It also underscored the importance of proper training and supervision when it comes to firearms. Ultimately, the incident was a reminder that guns can be dangerous and should be treated with respect and caution at all times.
Conclusion
The accidental shooting of an instructor with an Uzi by a 9-year-old girl shocked the nation and raised questions about the safety of shooting ranges and the use of automatic weapons. While the incident was tragic, it also served as a reminder of the importance of gun safety and proper training. By learning from this incident, we can take steps to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.
