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AIBU?

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Original poster

To wonder what kind of idiot teaches a 9-year-old to use an Uzi

397 replies

BadLad · 27/08/2014 11:33

m.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-28948946

A 9-year-old kills her shooting instructor when she loses control of the Uzi he is teaching her to use.

Apparently many (that's right, many) firing ranges have strict rules when teaching children.

Oh well, that's all right then, what was I worried about?

OP posts:
AgaPanthers · 27/08/2014 15:40

"So am I to understand that when my niece is 9 I should give her an Uzi rather than a cycle because the bicycle is more dangerous?"

That's ridiculous. The child was using an Uzi under supervision, albeit inadequate. Children typically use bicycles at least partly unsupervised.

It is perfectly reasonable to believe that in typical usage a bicycle is more dangerous than a gun on a shooting range.

LegoSuperstar · 27/08/2014 15:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bambambini · 27/08/2014 15:47

Sounds stupid and irresponsible to give children such strong and dangerous weapons. But I have let my children of the same age do archery, air pistols and air rifles on holiday.

Pagwatch · 27/08/2014 15:47

Hahahaha at your finding my point ridiculous Aga.

Seriously, give it up. I know you want to make one obscure point but this argument you are doggedly spouting is starting to make you look foolish.

firesidechat · 27/08/2014 15:49

No idea why I'm rising to the bait, but here goes anyway. AgaPanthers, cycles get you from A to B and are great exercise for children, guns sole purpose is to shot things and that obviously includes people. Get the difference now?

differentnameforthis · 27/08/2014 15:49

LatteLoverLovesLattes he TOLD her to go fully auto!! Just before she shoots, he looks like he is switching something & says 'fully auto' as she hits the trigger. Then you see it turn sideways towards him and hear her squeal...

differentnameforthis · 27/08/2014 15:50

NO child, on a bike has ever killed someone with that bike!!!

LatteLoverLovesLattes · 27/08/2014 15:51

BarbarianMum - clearly more of a strong point for you than for some others, thank god, because there's only so much stupidity this forum can handle and it's currently at it's max I'd say.

I am sure if as many children had Uzi's, as have bicycles even very stupid people would be able to see that there's quite a difference between the two pieces of kit.

Hmm

As an aside - I think it's safe to say that the percentage of people killed BY a bicycle is fairly low. Those killed whilst riding one a bit higher

I really hope Sha bba doesn't read those posts on this thread - or any other parent who has lost a child in a bike accident - it's akin to being told they might as well have given their child and Uzi to play with :(

AuntieStella · 27/08/2014 16:04

"I can also point out that one of this countries Olympic shooting champs has also been shooting since an early age and was also taught by a family member with years of experience"

There is no Olympic event which uses sub machine guns.

And the last words (on the recording) uttered by the instructor was confimration that the weapon was now on automatic.

That's 600 rounds per minute.

wowfudge · 27/08/2014 16:08

It's a fun thing people do on holiday.

Really? I can think of many more fun things to do without the deadly risk. Who on earth in their right mind thinks it is an appropriate activity for a 9 year old child?

BeerTricksPotter · 27/08/2014 16:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

dancingwithmyselfandthecat · 27/08/2014 16:21

A fun thing that people do on holiday?
Ok, accepting for a moment that using a gun can full within this category a fucking sub machine gun???? This isn't a target practice/lets pretend to be the scarlet pimpernal or even a mainstream hunting weapon. It's purpose is to kill lots of things very very quickly.

I used to do fencing as a child. This, with foils, might be a "fun thing to do on holiday". Are there camps where nine year olds can practice with daggers, or samurai swords, or bayonets? No. I wonder why.

merrymouse · 27/08/2014 16:23

Apparently the range sells itself on it's 'unique desert storm atmosphere.'

Apparently they were correct. However, I suspect they thought desert storm was more about sand than actual death.

AuntieStella · 27/08/2014 16:27

I think fun, shooting related, things to do with a 9 year old would include fairground shooting alleys, the sort of pop-up (blank firing) ranges the military take to events like county shows, laser tag and maybe an air rifle at a triangle of tin cans.

Not a jumpy little mini sub machine gun on automatic and with no stock.

thegreylady · 27/08/2014 16:28

With live ammunition!

Mrsjayy · 27/08/2014 16:34

Unique desert storm atmosphere Shock jeez lots of combat gear and loonies playing at war that is seriously fucked up.

Mrsjayy · 27/08/2014 16:37

A paintballing place near me you have to be over 14 to play but go to arizona that is where the real fun is at get to play soldiers for real

differentnameforthis · 27/08/2014 16:39

Amazing isn't it...you have to be 16(?) to drive car, 21 to drink alcohol, yet ate 9 you can fire a deadly weapon 'for fun'

Thebodyloveschocolateandwine · 27/08/2014 16:41

Sick to death of hearing the word but it's our culture to explain away behaviour that is bizarre at best and sickening at worst.

It's not an excuse or an explanation.

Mrsjayy · 27/08/2014 16:44

I keep thinking that poor girl Sad

LegoSuperstar · 27/08/2014 16:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

brainfidget · 27/08/2014 16:54

No point relying on stats to support a POV if you ignore the fact that the stats are not comparable. You'd need to use data such as the population of bike owners and frequency of bike use etc for it to be even vaguely meaningful, and Aga doesn't seem to have done this.

Rather, Aga's stats discussion is a feint which distracts from the simple moral fact that it's not appropriate to put a weapon designed for mass murder in the hands of a child. Made me speechless when there used to be pics of child soldiers in Sierra Leone with their AK47s, and now similar in places across the Middle East.

Just because the child is not intending to kill someone at that moment does not make it any more palatable, as it just serves to normalise the ugly reality of violence.

Eauneau · 27/08/2014 16:55

Yes different you can't drink any alcohol until 21 but its guns a go go at age 9.

I'm not sure I can bring myself to watch that video.

Aga you still haven't answered my yes or no question about whether you think that giving a 9 year old an Uzi gun is a perfectly fine and acceptable thing to do.

As for the 'desert storm atmosphere' - what.the.fuck? Confused

Legionofboom · 27/08/2014 17:09

I probably come across as a bit pearl clutching but I don't really think going to fire a uzi as a hobby/day out is something to be encouraged at any age.

Of course doing it aged 9 is completely wrong, but is firing a weapon that powerful really appropriate? And if it is, what do people move on to next for more of a thrill?

Playing with the presidential launch codes. Just for a laugh you understand.

Rainbunny · 27/08/2014 17:16

Oh please, I've lived in the US for 13 years and I have never even seen a gun. There are certain areas where guns are very popular and I would count Arizona as one of them. There will always be stupid people who do things like let a child handle a semi-automatic weapon but it's mentally lazy to generalize about an entire nation. The US is only a little bit smaller than Europe and culture and attitudes vary largely by state. I live in California which is almost twice the size of the UK alone.