Girl, 11, Brings AR-15 to Gun Law Hearing – By Newser Editors and Wire Services (Newser) / Feb 25 2020
‘She’s been shooting since she was 5 years old,’ grandfather tells committee
(Newser) – An 11-year-old girl toting a loaded AR-15 assault weapon appeared Monday at a legislative hearing with her grandfather, who is supporting a proposal that would allow visitors to Idaho who can legally possess firearms to carry a concealed handgun within city limits. Charles Nielsen addressed the committee that voted to send the legislation to the full House as Bailey Nielsen stood at his side with the weapon slung over her right shoulder, but did not say anything, the AP reports. “Bailey is carrying a loaded AR-15,” Charles Nielsen told lawmakers. “People live in fear, terrified of that which they do not understand. She’s been shooting since she was 5 years old. She got her first deer with this weapon at 9.”
“She carries it responsibly. She knows how not to put her finger on the trigger,” Neilsen said. “We live in fear in a society that is fed fear on a daily basis.” He said Bailey was an example of someone who could responsibly handle a gun, and lawmakers should extend that to non-residents. “When they come to Idaho, they should be able to carry concealed, because they carry responsibly,” he said. “They’re law-abiding citizens. It’s the criminal we have to worry about.” There was no notable reaction among lawmakers to the girl carrying the AR-15, and none asked Nielsen any questions after he testified. Guns are not an uncommon sight in the Statehouse when gun legislation is being debated, particularly handguns on belt holsters. Long rifles such as AR-15s also appear occasionally.
(Read more Idaho stories.)
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