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SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. -- Santa Claus is already in some towns and families are posing alongside him for holiday pictures.

Over at the Scottsdale, Arizona Gun Club Saturday families are taking their picture with Saint Nick, and he's packing some loaded gifts.

Decorations are up, the holiday cheer in full swing, and families want to get that perfect holiday picture with the holiday icon.

Besides posing alongside the big man in the red suit and Christmas tree, the Scottsdale Gun Club offers families another, edgier prop - everything from a classic Tommy gun to more modern automatic weapons.

One couple posed with their two-and-a-half-year-old twin boys alongside Santa. Mom and dad are each holding a machine gun.

The gun club admits to receiving criticism. Some people are uneasy about seeing children near machine guns. Still others view this photo op as an Arizona-born yuletide tradition.