9-year-old Girl Accidentally Kills Shooting Range Instructor and NO ONE is Asking Some Essential Questions

As someone who believes in the value of having gun safety as a lifelong skill AND stricter gun safety laws, I felt the need to weigh in on this recent incident.

I first shot a gun when I was 10 years old. My father felt it was important, so he went with me as my guardian. It was a rifle, with a sight scope on it (I couldn't tell you what gauge). The way you shoot is by propping it up on the wooden gate in front of you, based on height. Because I was leaning forward, into the gun and onto the gate, there was no way I would loose control of the gun. Also, it was NOT an automatic (such as the one in the aforementioned incident).

I have since trained with police officers, active military, DEA instructors, and NRA members (I wanted to be in law enforcement in high school). Every time I've fired a weapon, there has never been a question as to whether or not I'd loose control of the weapon because every decision was based on "safety first".

Here are the questions I would pose before further judgement could be assessed:

1) Was there any instruction with the weapon BEFORE it was loaded? It seems to me that kind of reaction happens when the person holding the weapon hasn't become familiar with the weapon before loading it with ammunition and firing.

2) Is there a policy of where the instructor should stand while a CHILD is shooting (as opposed to normal adult clients)? Standing next to the child seems idiotic at best. Even when you are shooting at an indoor range, it's policy to stand BEHIND the person with a loaded gun.

3) Is there a policy for helping a child hold the gun? It should have been expected that a child couldn't handle an automatic uzi, and thus, at the very least, the first shots should have been secured with the instructors hands on the gun as well. Once they get used to the recoil, there may be a chance the child could handle it on their own.

4) Is there a policy that requires the child to learn on a rifle first (as the 5 year old is allowed to, according to the above article)? If a 9-year-old can't handle a .22 rifle, then they shouldn't be allowed to hold an automatic uzi.

As it stands, I'm not sure I'd want anyone under the age of 16 trying out an automatic uzi, much less someone not in double digits. Furthermore, that seems like an advanced weapon, which would require more than a parents signature on a waiver and parental supervision. Parents don't have superhuman powers. Unless they are taking the place of the professional (hands on the gun and everything), "parental supervision" means bubkus when that gun goes off.

I'm thinking this was a combination of professional incompetence, legal neglect, and parental disregard for their child's abilities. Children trust the adults around them to know better, and in this case, it seems like none of them did. 

Also, any injury on a range is ultimately the instructor's responsibility. I'm more than a little upset that they have not mentioned ONCE how the child is doing after KILLING a man. Unless they are somehow implying that the child did it purposefully, they need to stop pitying the instructor and worry for the sanity of that child. Shooting a gun is traumatic enough. Seeing the aftermath of shooting one at a human is beyond most people's ability to cope.

I would love more information about this company's policies and the laws of Nevada regarding this situation. If you have any links, please leave them in the comments below for all to peruse!

Oh, Texas...

This has been a regular phrase of late. Ever since the big move from Denver, Colorado down to Dayton, Texas, I've been noticing more and more differences. Some so outlandish that it has elicited the aforementioned, "Oh, Texas" response. What else are you going to say when you drive 16 hours southeast, knowing you are still in the same country, and yet... very much not in the same country?

I can recall the first time it came rolling out of my mouth, "Oh, Texas". We were avoiding driving through Dallas by heading east towards Paris. Along the way, most small towns all seem to have working automotive repair shops, but also quite a few gas stations gone out of business. How backwards is that? They need upgrades for the vehicles, but not fuel?
I definitely "Oh, Texas"ed when I found out that gas stations in Texas give a discount on fuel if paid in cash. Why is that a benefit? So you have a better chance of making money off of food and drink sales?

There were also more churches through these small towns than there were eating establishments. Perhaps they need to feed their souls more so than their bellies? Now that can't be true. Texans seem to ADORE going out to eat. On that note, apparently barbecue baked potatoes are a thing here. In true "everything is bigger in Texas" form, these BBQ Baked Potatoes are HUGE!

This is approximately the size of the BBQ Baked Potato I was introduced to - HUGE! 

Two full scoops of meat over a meal-sized russet, plus any other toppings that suit your greasy fancy. If meat and potatoes are your thing, you can now have it smothered with barbecue sauce and cheese. Denver is all about their steak, for sure, but only in Texas would they look for more ingredients to induce a heart attack.

Now that we've settled into our temporary abode here, about an hour east of Houston, I believe I can safely summarize five common necessities of Texans.

5 Common Necessities of Texans
1) Trucks - Oy, do they love their pick-up trucks! And while Colorado is very well-known for having a large majority of SUVs and utility vehicles (Boulder in particular is known for its overwhelming number of Subaru Outbacks), Texas definitely leans towards the American-made, gas-guzzling pick-up. Now, it should be noted that most are not hauling anything, which either means it's a fad or people like having them in that once or twice a year instance where they would need a truck to haul something.
2) Beer - So much so that some parts of our family are wondering if we're related because I told them I don't like beer (mostly because I'm allergic to wheat). However, I did have to marvel at another "Oh, Texas" find: Wash-a-Beeria.

Please know the woman in the picture is not me, but she's translated my reaction pretty well.

That's right. A washateria, or laundromat, that offers food and, more importantly, beer. This seems like a neat way to make doing your laundry a little more eventful, but really? Someone's liable to shrink their sunday dress beyond decency with that kind of combination! Oh, Texas...
3) Guns - This one doesn't really bother me, as I was raised in Virginia, and have only ever lived in Colorado or Texas otherwise; all gun-friendly states. The only skills I was taught as a kid still ring true as Texan: riding horses and shooting rifles. But when every major establishment you walk into, including grocery stores, has a sign posted about the legality of bringing a loaded gun on to the premises, you know there is a standard here that is like none other. I won't lie, it's a little nerve-wracking.
4) Buffets - I'm not just talkin' about Golden Corral or Chinese buffets. They've gotten into a groove where everyone offers a buffet, especially for lunch. My husband and I visited the west side of Houston for a date day. We found an Indian restaurant that had good ratings, and wouldn't you know it, a lunch buffet. Don't get me wrong, it was good food, and a reasonable price. But... well... Oh, Texas...
5) Donuts - If there is anything Texans love most, it has got to be donuts. There are donut shops everywhere! Small town, down town, it doesn't matter. Mom 'n Pop, Shipley's, though no Krispy Kremes (well, not in the Houston area, anyway). This would be awesome, and fantastically indulgent, if not for my wheat allergy. But alas my desire to remain pain-free overrides my love of glazed donuts (which may well be one of my favorite things).

Maybe I can convince the donut-loving Texans to start making gluten-free options for us transplants? I think I could live in Texas if there were gluten-free glazed donuts available.

The only gluten-free glazed donuts I've ever been able to find, and they are sold frozen. Texas - your challenge has ben issued! Fresh, gluten-free donuts, available at your donut shops - GO!

But for now, I will just embrace the stares at Golden Corral when all I eat is the steak and salad.