FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The state’s workplace safety agency has issued several recommendations that it says could help prevent accidental shootings such as the one at a northwestern Arizona shooting range last year involving a 9-year-old girl using an Uzi.
Charles J. Vacca died in August of a gunshot wound to the head after he stepped back to let the New Jersey girl hold the fully automatic machine gun by herself. The gun’s recoil wrenched its barrel upward and a bullet hit him in the head, killing him.
An investigation by the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health of the outdoor shooting range in White Hills found no serious violations. But the agency recommended having a range-safety officer on site, limiting weapons for certain shooters, and ensuring that shooters are comfortable with weapons before they are placed on automatic.
A safety officer isn’t required, but the agency said that person could have pointed out that Vacca was out of position when instructing the girl and called to cease fire at the range. The state agency said Vacca should have been standing completely behind the girl, rather than to her side, and should not have had his hand below the magazine so that he could prevent the gun from rising when she fired.
Some of the recommendations already are in place at the shooting range about 60 miles south of Las Vegas. Children now must be at least 12 years old or 5 feet tall to handle semi-automatic rifles and machines guns, but the range coaches have discretion based on the shooter’s experience, the state agency’s report noted.
Sam Scarmardo, who operates the outdoor range in the desert, declined to comment Tuesday. He previously has said the girl’s parents had signed waivers saying they understood the rules and were standing nearby, video-recording their daughter, when the accident occurred.
Prosecutors declined to file charges, saying Vacca was the most culpable.
Regulations at shooting ranges around Arizona vary. Some do not rent automatic weapons and have no age limits, while others leave it up to range instructors.
State Representative Sonny Borrelli, a retired Marine who represents Lake Havasu City, said he doesn’t believe state regulations are needed.
‘‘That person that was there that was accidentally killed was a qualified individual,’’ Borrelli said. ‘‘I’d like to see the industry come together and come up with their set of standards, because they actually know the industry better than a lot of these legislators around here.’’
The stop at the shooting range was set up by a Las Vegas tour company. Another range coach who was working that day told the state agency that he voiced concerns to the tour driver that the mini Uzi was not appropriate for the 9-year-old, but was told it was not his call.