scottsdalegunclub.com

Want to improve the caliber of your family’s Christmas card this year? How about having your picture taken with Santa Claus and your choice of machine guns?

For a fee of $5 for members and $10 for non-members, the Scottsdale Gun Club in Arizona will arrange a Yuletide photo op with Santa and a selection of automatic weapons valued at $170,000.

"It's been really fun," said Brooke Rodda, a spokesperson for the club. "We've had a tremendous response from the community."

The "unique" opportunity, Rodda said, permits families to handle weapons in a "safe, controlled environment." About 500 people turned out for the club’s first shoot on Nov. 26, and Rodda expects more crowds for the second "Santa and Machine Guns" event on Dec. 10.

Among the firearms to choose from are M60s, M249s, M240s and a modified Ar15, as well as more traditional holiday props such as reindeer antlers.

The event isn't attracting just gun enthusiasts:  "It has a broader appeal from families to older people," Rodda said.

But if firearms don’t exactly convey your holiday message, Rodda says don't worry: Santa can be just as disarming for the camera without the weapons.

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