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Check out that determined grin. The remnants of nail polish on the front hand. The juxtaposition of the flying brass and the peace signs on her coat. Heh.

[h/t thefirearmblog.com]

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23 COMMENTS

  1. I don’t get what is controversial about this picture. A light recoiling MP5 in 9mm is probably the perfect submachine gun for a small child. Also, from her attire she is clearly a pacifist, so she is likely just enjoying it for sport or defense.

    -D

  2. After the 8 year-old boy accidentally killed himself with a submachine gun at a legal machine gun shoot, I think the parent here is the Irresponsible Gun Owner Of The Day. That gun was a 9mm also.

    • I had the same thought when I saw the pic. Except you have to assume that, in this case, the parent ensured that the little girl could handle the gun.

    • She has obvious control over the firearm based on the trajectory of the brass. Something tells me kid involved in the accidental shooting wasn’t properly instructed/prepared for the gun.

      I think it’s a little presumptuous for us to assume that this girl’s parents are irresponsible, especially since she has better form than half of the grown idiots I’ve seen shooting guns in youtube videos.

    • Note the gentleman in the black t-shirt not 3 inches behind her with his red-and-black-gloved right hand on her right shoulder and his left arm crooked just behind her left wrist. I think she’s being well managed.

      -D

    • Learn about the differences between a micro uzi and an MP5.

      If you don’t care to google, a Micro Uzi is a 3.3lb machine pistol, that may or may not have a stock (in the case of the MA boy there either was no stock or it was folded). The weapon’s support is in the very center, is a pistol grip, and is the only point of contact. It operates off an open bolt and fires 1700 rounds a minute.

      The MP5K is a submachine gun with both a stock and a vertical foregrip, this means there are 3 points of contact for the shooter. It shoots at a cyclical rate of 700 rounds per minute from a closed bolt. It weighs 4.4lbs.

      I’m not going to touch on the safety positives here (attentive hands on RSOs) that contrast to the MA boy (unattended on the firing line). But from a purely mechanical standpoint, this is safe, and much more responsible.

      Look, the MA incident was tragic, but please apply common sense

  3. Oh god, my 11 yr old godson better not see that. I will hear “Uncle Sean, why don’t you and dad take me to shoot full auto?” the rest of my life.

  4. There is something about this picture that does make me uncomfortable. I know there is an adult present to her rear left and although you can’t see it, I believe he is supporting her from the back and her weak hand while firing. The thing that makes me uncomfortable is just how quickly full-auto weapons can get out of control. For adults even. Having a trainer there doesn’t implictly make the situation any safer. The rule with firearms should always be “safety first” and I can’t help but feel allowing a girl (possibly under the age of 10) or boy (as in the “uzi death case”) to shoot one of these weapons befor maturity is developed with other firearms crosses that line of reasonable safety. This girl could’ve have been shooting for a long time and developed some familiarity and this a “treat” in which case I’m happy to be wrong.

    Firing or using full-auto weapons has always stood in my mind as something only for experienced and mature operators, at or above the amateur or novice level of skill with firearms and with an above average command of shooting knowledge. If it were an adult, I would say they’re above the age of majority and being stupid is not a crime, but you can’t hold a child to the same standard and the presence of an adult does not make up for it.

    My children are my most precious possession (yes…even more than my guns) and I would never knowingly put them in a situation they (or I) couldn’t handle or where I felt there was the slightest chance they could be hurt. I would think twice about letting any of my kids (all of whom know how to shoot) get near a machine gun before they had demonstrated above average proficiency with firearms.

    As I said…that could be the case here and I retract my comment if so. In any potentially dangerous situation though I think of my kids first, and then, only after I’m satisfied risk can be minimized, do I go to safety first.

    • Looking at the pic:
      Her brass is flying in a regular pattern and the muzzle appears to be on target after (at least) 7 rounds. She has better control than I do!
      The RO/parent/adult has his right hand on her right shoulder. His left hand looks to be in the vicinity of her left elbow, in position to grap the gun. (He is wearing gloves so he could grab the barrel.)
      He is leaned over and intent on what she is doing. Looks perfectly safe to me.

  5. “I think I was trying to suggest something about the duality of man, sir.”
    “The what?”
    “The duality of man. The Jungian thing, sir.”

  6. Bad if its a schoolyard? Unpopular, sadly! But not bad. After a child was killed it became obvious more children need firearm training. Oh but I forget who I’m talking to. Nevermind. Facts off

  7. I can’t wait until my kid is old enough to shoot guns with dad. Ah, memories and hippies and sissies taking issue. Nice.

  8. I don’t think it’s right for a kid that young to be shooting anything, let alone a gun like that. It’s child abuse, albeit a mild version compared to those who’ve experienced severe sexual or physical abuse as kids. A kid like that shouldn’t even be playing video games that are violent and involve shooting, in my humble opinion.

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