Police Chief Indicted in Death of Boy at Gun Show

-December 4, 2008

The chief of police of Pelham, Massachusetts, two other men, and the Westfield Sportsman's Club (WSC) were indicted in Hampshire County today on charges of involuntary manslaughter. Eight-year-old Christopher Bizilj was killed when he lost control of the 9-mm micro-submachine gun he was given to shoot at the WSC-sponsored gun show in November. He was shot in the head when the gun recoiled.

Firing Guns at the Side of an Instructor
Police Chief Edward Fleury owns the company that sponsored the Machine Gun Shoot and Firearms Expo, held on the WSC's 375-acre grounds and advertised as a family affair — kids under 16 admitted free — but with safety precautions on the website such as "You will be accompanied to the firing line with a Certified Instructor to guide you. But You Are In Control — "FULL AUTO ROCK & ROLL!"

A Dangerous Automatic Weapon
District Attorney William Bennett issued the indictments for Fleury, Carl Guiffre, and Domenico Spano; the latter two men brought the submachine gun in question (a "Micro Uzi") to the gun show after being assured by Fleury that it was legal to do so under state law.

Bennett pointed out, "A Micro Uzi is made by and for the Israeli Armed Forces and is intended to meet the operational needs of Israeli Special Forces…it is not a hunting weapon." The submachine gun fires 1,700 rounds per minute. Bennett also said that authorities know of four children who fired the Uzis at the gun show, exposing the WSC for a fine up to $10,000 for each of these four violations of Massachusetts gun laws.

Father Witnessed Son's Death
Charles Bizilj, Christopher's father, said that his son had fired rifles before but the gun show was his first experience with an automatic weapon. He was attending the show with his son.

Pelham, Mass. is a small town (population less than 1,500). Hundreds of people attended the gun show.

(Source: Associated Press)

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