Dear Editor,

I would like to express my thoughts about the horrible tragedy that occurred in Arizona on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014.

Burgers and Bullets is a popular shooting range in Arizona and according to the article, “Arizona shooting range reopened after fatal shooting,” written by Dave

Hawkins and Ben Botkin in the Las Vegas Review Journal.

Burgers and Bullets has been injury free for years and has had many children under the age of 18 shoot weapons under the supervision of instructors.

However, I am extremely upset that this incident happened.

In my opinion, why would a parent allow their child to touch a machine gun let alone shoot one.

What is the main purpose behind a child learning how to use such a powerful weapon?

My heart goes out to this poor child who will forever be haunted by this horrific accident.

This accident could have been easily prevented if children were not allowed to use such strong weapons.

I feel as though the shooting range is wrong and should be faulted for this tragedy.

According to the same article, this is not the first time a fatal accident has occurred at a gun range.

In 2008 an eight-year-old boy was killed after shooting himself in head at a gun expo in Massachusetts.

I believe there is more that needs to be investigated about this story.

Why did the parents of this child trust their nine-year-old baby girl to shoot an Uzi (a small machine gun)?

~Rebecca Falkowski

DVC student