November 7, 2008 Gun club death: Accident or negligence? Play video

(Brian Burnell, NECN: Ellington, CT) - A little over a week ago an 8-year-old Connecticut boy accidentally shot and killed himself during a machine gun event at a Massachusetts gun club. Investigators are looking into whether there is criminal negligence involved. The father of another boy who was there that day and fired the same machine gun says he is afraid of an over-reaction to a terrible accident.

Bill Spielman and his 11-year-old son Michael sit at the table and watch the video of Michael firing a micro-uzi at the Westfield Sportsman's Club machine gun event on October 26. Not long after Michael finished 8-year-old Christopher Bizilj picked up the same weapon. But something went horribly wrong and he shot himself. He was rushed to a Springfield hospital where he died.

To view the complete interview with Bil and Michael Spielman CLICK HERE

Bill Spielman, Ellington CT: Somewhere somebody screwed up. An 8 year old shot himself with an Uzi. Somebody's responsible . Adult's responsible. The kid's not responsible. So something happened. So should there be an age limit? Yeah, maybe it should be ten years old.

Michael Looks in complete control of the weapon when he's firing it. He speculates maybe the Uzi was just too much for Christopher.

Michael Spielman, Ellington CT: the kick isn't a whole lot for me but for him it was probably a lot more because he's 3

Bill was raised around guns and he's bringing up Michael the same way. He says teaching kids about guns when they are young replaces fascination with respect.

Bill Spielman, Ellington CT: We take our kids out. We show them what these guns are. What they can do. This is not a video game. This is... When the bullet leaves that barrel you can't take it back. There are no do-over's. You can't reset it. It's permanent.

Bill took Michael to the gun club event last year and says he'd take him back again despite what happened. and Michael?

Michael Spielman, Ellington CT: I'd love to go back but I'd want to take more precaution because my Mom was worried that when I came home I told her that and she was like, "well, that could have been you." and I realize if that was me then I wouldn't be here.