Condolences to the family.
I am shocked they allowed an automatic weapon anywhere NEAR MASS.
I am convinced that teaching youngsters about guns is a good thing, having said that, it is obvious that the child was not ready for this. The “Brain-Surgeon” who thought this was a good idea should pay.
Seriously, they should have started the boy with a .22 single shot rifle, (with PLENTY of adult supervision.) The way me and my sons did.
I started my daughter with a .22 rifle. It was heavy enough that she couldn't hold it without me providing support for the fore-stock (and thus incidentally maintaining total control over which way it was pointed every second she had her hand on it)