Christopher Bizilj's Family Files Suit: Family Blames Teen For 8-Year-Old's Uzi Death At Gun Show

[rusty quoin]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/10/christopher-biziljs-famil_n_351732.html

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The family of an 8-year-old boy who fatally shot himself at a gun show in western Massachusetts say the Uzi submachine gun jammed twice before he lost control of the weapon and fired into his head.

The family of Christopher Bizilj (bah-SEEL') of Ashford, Conn., says in a civil lawsuit filed Friday that a 15-year-old instructor who cleared the gun and handed it back to the victim failed to provide proper guidance.

The lawsuit names the owners of a gun club where the fair was held, promoters of the event and those who supplied the weapon and ammunition. None of those named in the lawsuit could be reached for comment after business hours Monday.

Bizilj shot himself at the Westfield Sportsman's Club in October 2008.

The boy's family claims the gun was defective and unreasonably dangerous, and they blame the failure to properly service it.

[LisaM]

1. Yes, because 8-year olds should be at gun shows handling Uzis.

Please.

[left coaster]

2. That's exactly what I was thinking!

Still, it's a tragedy..

[tortoise1956]

3. WTF, over?

Who in his right mind hands an SMG to an 8-year old? What kind of parent allows that? I started shooting when I was 9. The first rule I learned was that the only time I was to have a loaded weapon in my hands was at the range, in my assigned lane, on my mat, with the weapon pointed downrange.

I place the blame squarely on the parent or guardian who allowed this to happen. If they had shown even minimal judgment, this would not have occurred.

[pipoman]

5. I agree

if I were assigning blame, from what I have read about this case, I would first blame the father who was there at the time at 70%, the owner of the gun at 20%, and the club for inattentiveness for 10%. After hearing that the gun's owner was depending on a 15 year old to 'train' with the gun I would now put about 60% on the gun's owner...what an idiot and fool.

[AndyA]

4. The founders intended for everyone to have an Uzi submachine gun in the house.

Such a necessary item for protection. :eyes:

[benEzra]

8. Either you don't know that submachineguns are more tightly controlled than howitzers and bombs

under current law (which even the NRA supports), or you do know and are feigning ignorance to score debate points. Either way, the gun control debate is not about automatic weapons and hasn't been in the last 75 years, and the Supreme Court upheld the existing restrictions.

[pipoman]

6. Before this goes too far

this WAS NOT A F__KING GUN SHOW..it was an exhibition at a gun club...a gun show is a place where guns are bought and sold, an exhibition is where guns are shown and/or fired...two completely different things here.

Just to clear that up...

BTW, I know OP, that you didn't make the error and by outburst is not directed at you.

[benEzra]

7. An exhibition run by the local chief of police, if I remember correctly. (n/t)

[LisaM]

10. Even if it wasn't a gun show

I still don't think an 8-year old should be holding on to a loaded Uzi. I don't care if it's a gun tea party.

[pipoman]

11. I agree

with you completely on this post.

[BoWanZi]

9. This was NOT a Gun Show!! (n/t)