Only in the United States of America.

Almost daily, I read a headline or article about guns in the U.S. that makes me shake my head in disbelief. It's so sad that mass shootings and other gun violence have become so commonplace as to barely register as top news stories anymore. Those headlines just seem to blend in with all the others. But, a 9-year-old with an Uzi jumped out at me. Why is a 9-year-old being taught how to fire an Uzi? In what world does that even make sense? Would the NRA argue that the original meaning of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1791 was intended to cover 9-year-olds and Uzis? The Second Amendment seems to be the defence for everything else. Because, you know, nothing much has changed since 1791. All the other laws, rights and common beliefs are pretty much unchanged in the last 223 years.

This poor little girl's parents were with her at the shooting range. They took her to a shooting range and allowed her to use an Uzi. This quote from the article blows my mind:

Ronald Scott, a Phoenix-based firearms safety expert, said most shooting ranges have an age limit and strict safety rules when teaching children to shoot. He said instructors usually have their hands on guns when children are firing high-powered weapons.

"Most shooting ranges have an age limit..."

"...instructors usually have their hands on guns when children are firing high-powered weapons."

Merica! I'm speechless.