Mac was absolutely anti-gun, and RDA willingly took heavy flack from the NRA about it. They did two or three episodes that were anti-gun PSA eps. This kid -- maybe the producers are afraid of the NRA? The #1 Buddy has the specific job of shooting (or torturing) people on Mac's behalf. The only concession the show made was that, at one point when Mac is handed a gun, he hits someone with it instead of shooting the guy.

Then he rigs a lethal explosion that kills that guy and at least one other . . . but hey, they're bad guys and therefore had it coming.