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What a horrible tragedy in Arizona. First, my heart and prayers to the families that have been destroyed by this accident. Like many of you everyone came to my desk today to seek the machinegun collector's opinion... I am sure this will play on the news like a virus. Without sounding like a Monday morning quarterback, I often do let kids shoot my machineguns. I am safety concious and have my own personal rules. I am not going to comment on what may have gone wrong in this tragic accident, I am going to say what I do and do NOT do. My machinegun of choice for kids to fire is my 1921 or 1928 Thompson. Its my choice for a reason. It is heavy. It has a long barrel, and most importantly, it has a wonderful 22 kit. I normally have a table or bench that is sandbagged with the long barrel resting on a shooter's bag. The stock is on the gun, and most times under their arm. I am to their left and we start in semi for several shots. There is no muzzle climb. my hand is over the barrel, and I have also used a wooden frame cutout to insure that the muzzle cannot be turned but so far to the left or right. Bottom line it is controlled. The smaller the gun and bigger the bullet the risks increase. Kids don't shoot 9mm or 45 unless that pass the 22 test. In 9mm they shoot a suppressed Smith and Wesson 76. First the suppressor lengthens the barrel, and it makes it far heavier with little to zero muzzle climb. It is long enough to put in a frame. I have a reising in 45. Kids don't shoot it. It has horrible muzzle climb that even adults are suprized with. Its not for kids. If it has a stock extend it and use it. It is designed to add control to the gun. Use a sandbag and rest. Use a frame if you need to. Have a barrel long enough that can be grabbed. Remember, these are kids, its susposed to be the happiest day of their life, not the most horrible day, nor last day. Use judgement. You are the adult. They are not. If you see something unsafe fix it. Please share your thoughts on safety with others and always be the one who steps up and says to someone, hey you need to do this or that. Be the role model for responsibility. My prayers to the families of the deceased and this little girl, who will have a lifetime of nightmares. Be safe guys Sandman1957