Dr. Yitzchak Kadmon of the Israel Child Welfare Council is calling on lawmakers to intervene to put an end to what he calls an “unacceptable legal practice” in which 6 and 7-year-old children are permitted to fire live ammunition at licensed firing ranges.
While the law prohibits the sale of dangerous toys, including many fireworks and cap guns, the law does not prohibit the live fire of real weapons at a licensed shooting range by children as young as 4. Any child accompanied by a parent may legally fire at weapon at a range.
A Netanya range for example advertises itself as an ideal place for a birthday party, providing a package deal including shooting, cake, ice cream and gifts. Another range offers “unlimited shooting” for kids, at the cost of NIS 75 a child, permitting them to shoot up to fifty-five 22 caliber bullets.
A range in Kibbutz Nirim has a special Shabbos offer, from NIS 170-200, permitting parents and children to experience the event together. According to range manager Noam Sagiv, the entire event is nothing more than a sport. “The entire event is organized and very safe” he insists.
Sagiv stresses children and parents must first take part in a safety class, and the instructor has the right to determine children or adults are not suited to continue.
Joining Dr. Kadmon are a number of heads of parent teachers associations, who expressed shock over the report that some children who regularly visit shooting ranges began at the age of 4.
Interestingly, YWN checked with paintball companies in Israel and for two-sided combat games, one must be 13-years-old but there are also activities for ages as low as 6.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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One Response
I live in America, and use a shooting. In fact, this week two of my boys are going with me. I think in this day and age, everyone should know how to load and fire a gun, as well as how to safely handle one.