Massachusetts "Gun Fair" Where Child Was Killed With Machine Gun May Have Violated Gun Law

Massachusetts law prohibits furnishing machine gun to persons under 18

Oct 28, 2008

Washington, DC - The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence is calling on law enforcement to investigate whether a “gun fair” that hosted a machine gun shoot for children where an 8 year old boy was tragically killed violated a Massachusetts gun law that makes it illegal to furnish machine guns to children.

“Massachusetts law specifically prohibits furnishing a machine gun to any person under 18,” said Daniel Vice, Senior Attorney with the Brady Center. “It is unconscionable that the gun fair allowed and encouraged young children to fire machine guns.”

The relevant statute can be found in Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 140, subsection 130 and provides that “whoever sells or furnishes any alien or any person under eighteen years of age a… machine gun or ammunition… shall be punished by a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000, or by imprisonment in a state prison for not more than ten years or by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than two and one-half years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.” (Emphasis added.)

Brady Center President Paul Helmke said the appropriate authorities should investigate whether to file charges against the operator of the Westfield, Massachusetts Sportsman’s Club’s annual “Machine Gun Shoot and Firearms Expo,” where Christopher Bizilj of Ashford, Connecticut died Sunday.  The club advertised that the “full auto rock & roll” was “legal and fun,” and that there was “no age limit or licenses required to shoot machine guns.”

“This needs to be looked at by the authorities and, if it is not illegal, then it should be made illegal. It’s tragic that this boy was killed because some people didn’t realize that eight year olds should not be allowed to shoot machine guns,” Helmke said. “Responsible gun owners should agree.”

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As the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce sensible gun laws, regulations and public policies. The Brady Campaign is devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.

For continuing insight and comment on the gun issue, read Paul Helmke's blog at www.bradycampaign.org/blog/. Visit the Brady Campaign website at www.bradycampaign.org.