Shooting instructor Charles Vacca was killed when his student, a 9-year-old girl, lost control of her Uzi. The recoil of the semi-automatic weapon was so strong its line of fire was wrenched upward in the child's grip. Vacca, a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, was shot in the head as he tried to help her steady the weapon.

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The incident, which is being investigated as an accidental shooting, occurred at a shooting range near Phoenix, AZ. Police do not expect charges will be filed. 

Gerry Hills, founder of Arizonans for Gun Safety, a group seeking to reduce gun violence, said that it was reckless to let the girl handle such a powerful weapon and that tighter regulations regarding children and guns are needed.

"We have better safety standards for who gets to ride a roller coaster at an amusement park," Hills said.

Referring to the girl's parents, Hills said: "I just don't see any reason in the world why you would allow a 9-year-old to put her hands on an Uzi."

Investigators found that the girl's parents were on-site and had signed waivers for their child to train with the gun. It is standard practice that children as young as 8 may handle firearms provided parents give consent and there is adult supervision. Gun experts note that an individual's strength must be taken into account when weapons are fired. High-powered guns and rifles can literally shoot themselves out of a person's grip if not held properly or tightly enough.

Uzis are commonly used in militaries around the world, and can fire up to 600 rounds per minute. Like many semi-automatics, they typically recoil in an upwards direction when being discharged. Video taken by the child's parents has been handed over to local police.

Shooting range operator Sam Scaramando told reporters, "I have regret we let this child shoot, and I have regret that Charlie was killed in the incident."  

The identities of the girl and her parents were not released. 

TagsAccidental shooting, Uzi, gun control