August 27, 2014

Charles Vacca - a victim of guns in America

Charles Vacca
Charles Vacca, age 49, of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, died on August 25, 2014, at a hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada.

He was an instructor at the Last Stop adventure complex in White Hills, Arizona. It is also known as Bullets and Burgers and is about an hour's drive from Las Vegas.

At this place you can go on a helicopter ride, ride an All Terrain Vehicle or a Monster Truck, fire numerous guns including machine guns, and eat.

On the morning of August 25, 2014, a 9 year old girl and her family from New Jersey were at the complex. With the permission of her parents, the girl was being shown how to fire an UZI submachine gun. The recoil made the girl lose control of the weapon and Charles Vacca was shot in the head.

He was airlifted to a hospital in Las Vegas, where sadly he succumbed to his injuries.

Only in America would a "family adventure outing" include the firing of weapons.

Only in America and in parts of the Middle East would you find children firing submachine guns.  An UZI fires at the rate of 600 bullets per minute. 

Kids in the Mid-East with guns (L);  An American Kid at an NRA rifle range (R);
Why is this?  There aren't enough adults to fire guns?
It is legal for children to fire guns in Arizona if they are on private property and if they have the permission of their parents or are in the company of a certified instructor.

This Arizona law should be changed and fast. There is no reason for a child in Arizona or elsewhere to be firing a gun with live ammunition under any circumstances. And certainly not firing a submachine gun like Rambo.

Charles Vacca was a U.S. Army veteran. Friends describe him as popular, humorous
Light a candle for Charles. Light his way
to Heaven.
and a great friend and mentor to others. He will be forever remembered.

Charles' family are devastated by his tragic death. He will be forever mourned.

Charles is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his wife. 

Thank you for your service to your country, Charles. 

Pray for all who die by misadventure. They are with us one moment and are gone before we can say goodbye. 

Pray for all who go to work and who die there.

Pray that Charles is in heaven. Pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.

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