I want an assault rifle for Christmas or the reindeer gets it! Gun club invites children to pose with Santa... and their choice of firearm

It's definitely one way of making sure Christmas goes off with a bang.



A gun club in Scottsdale, Arizona is inviting children to pose for pictures with Santa Claus – and a high-powered firearm.



Each family member carries their choice of weapon, from pistols to $80,000 machine guns.

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Family fun: A gun-toting youngster poses alongside Santa at a Christmas photo shoot in Scottsdale, Arizona

Toting the gun, and perhaps belts of ammunition around their necks, they smile alongside a rather bewildered-looking Santa.



Children and babies can also get their hands on a firearm of their choice, including grenade launchers, assault rifles and AK-47s.



The picture, taken against a festive backdrop, will then feature on a holiday card.



Afterwards, the families get a chance to test out the machine guns.

Starting young: A baby reaches for a gun in a photograph taken at the first Christmas photo event last year

Festive: The Scottsdale Gun Club is giving families the chance to pose with Santa - and their choice of fire arm

Describing the event, the club says: ‘Families and gun enthusiasts from around the Valley will have a one-of-a-kind opportunity to be photographed next to Santa while against a backdrop of a stunning $80,000 Garwood mini-gun and SGC's coolest belt fed machine guns including the M60, M249 and M240.’



‘I think it’s going to be all in fun from those who support the second amendment and those who don’t,’ said gun club member Richard Jones.



‘Whether you’re a gun advocate or not, you should have a lot of fun with it.’



This is the second year in a row the Scottsdale Gun Club has held the startling photo opportunity – although they have now doubled the cost to $10.

Fired up: Gun-loving ladies pose alongside Santa. Hundreds flocked to the event in Scottsdale last year

One for the family album: Santa holds a baby surrounded by AK47s, grenade launchers and assault rifles

Last year, hundreds of gun enthusiasts turned up for the event and just one person turned down the gun option, according to club member Jennifer Dove.



‘There's a huge community that's interested in firearms as a sport and a hobby,’ Dove said.

‘There's no reason they can't express their holiday spirit and their passion for that hobby.’



The club’s general manager Ron Kennedy added: ‘Our members and guests enjoyed the concept and we are delighted to bring it back again this Holiday season.







Looking good: A couple smiles with Santa at Saturday's event. The photos can be used for Christmas cards

Customers: One boy, left, looks uncertain as he poses with a rifle, whereas another youngster, right, cannot get his hands on the firearm quick enough. The organisers of the event have called it a 'fun, family-friendly idea'



‘We thought it would be a fun, family-friendly idea,’ Katie Perrine from the club said ahead of the event’s launch.



‘Where else in the world can you get a picture with Santa and have a gun in the background?’



One event was held on Saturday and a second event will be held on October 10.

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Family Pictures Taken With Santa, Machine Guns: MyFoxPHOENIX.com



