Readers back defence event after criticism of photos showing kids with heavy weaponry

After images of children playing with heavy weapon sparked heated debate on Twitter and saw photos pulled from social media, an overwhelming number of readers have hit back at those complaining and defended the event.

Children as young as six play with heavy weapons as part of ADF community engagement in Gayndah. Photo/Twitter.

Photographs of children playing with weapons during an army visit to the North Burnett have evoked a passionate response from readers, with many quick to defend the defence force and slam critics.

Hundreds of readers took to social media to voice their opinions, after the images resurfaced on Twitter after being removed from Gayndah State School Facebook page

While in town doing army exercises, officers and defence personnel from the 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment showed primary students from Gayndah State School and St Joseph’s what a day in the life of a combat engineer looks like, complete with machines, bridge work, vehicles and of course, weapons.

Most readers threw their support behind the regiment, arguing the importance of educating children about the defence force.

“At first I was a bit shocked, but honestly after reading the article I think it is great that the community is involved with armed forces, we see them all the time driving up and down the highways heading to and from exercises and such, so I don’t see anything wrong with it. It was in a safe environment with ample supervision and if parents didn’t want their children involved they didn’t have to be there, so simple,” Fiona wrote.

“Best day of my life as a young kid was going out on the HMAS Perth during its open day. Got to see guns fired, hold weapons etc ended up becoming a primary school teacher, I didn’t join the military. It’s fun, interesting and important for our military to have good morale and honoured for their role service and commitment. Unfortunately we need a standing military,” Stephen added.

“When I was around 12 myself and my best friend at the time were allowed the fire a machine gun at targets at a military event in Canungra. They even let us keep the shells and clip to wear as a bullet belt. It was a lasting memory because they taught us how much we should respect the power of firearms. My friend ended up joining the military after he finished high school and has had a long career with them,” Michael wrote.

Others were less thrilled about the activity, sharing concerns that exposing children to military grade weapons is an unnecessary activity.

“We don’t need youngsters becoming familiar with military weapons. It is sad that young military volunteers need to be familiar with them but that seems to be the way it is for them. This was a damn silly, ill-conceived outreach activity and I would not approve of it,” Ross wrote.

Major Ian MacDougall last week told the Central and North Burnett Times the weapons did not have ammunition in them, were attached to a table with a chain, and each individual weapon station was supervised by a soldier.

“We did a bridge display, where our combat engineers on the ground built one of the bridges that we're out here building as a display for the kids,” he said.

“And then we had a small stand off to the side where we had our current in-service capabilities, which did include weapons.”

Major McDougall said the children were given a safety briefing at the beginning of the two-hour event, where the soldiers explained the dangers of weapons, what they used for, and how the regiment trains with them.