Comments for Re: the recent spate of publicized shootings.

Re: the recent spate of publicized shootings.

2007-12-10T15:14:17Z

Omaha Mall Shooting. With a *six minute* response time for the police that is an unqualified good police response. I mean that with no sarcasm. Yes, 6 minutes seems like forever if you're under fire - but in the rest of the sidereal universe, that's a commendable response time. Of course, it's followed by the time they have to take to gain entry and gain situational understanding, they can't just burst in shooting. But I'm not criticizing the police response. I think they did well.

Two killed at Faith Bible Chapel in Arvada, Colorado.

Two killed, gunman killed at New Life Church, Colorado Springs.

All events happening in "Gun Free Zones" - well, except for the New Life Church, which apparently doesn't mind a gun or two around.

My point? Simple enough.

1. Like it or not, you can't confiscate all the guns. Just ask the countries who've tried. And there are a *lot* more firearms in this country than most.

2. Disturbed people and criminals, oddly enough, don't obey those nice signs with the international "No" symbol superimposed over the pistol. Only law abiding people do.

3. I suspect far fewer people than you might expect would be offended (there will be some who are *always* offended) if there were some suitably trained, armed citizens around. In fact, that's really what policemen are... suitably trained, armed citizens. Like this quote from a citizen of my acquaintance:

We have a couple of policemen in our church - one a KC motorcycle cop, the other a Gladstone trooper. When they're in church, they are carrying. On days when the Gladstone cop is working, he comes to church in uniform, including his holstered, very visible, weapon. Funny thing - no one is offended.

Just sayin' - disarming the law abiding isn't the *only* rational response to events like this.

Comment from Slabsides on 2007-12-11

2007-12-11T06:33:32Z

Colonel Jeff would have been proud.

Comment from JimC on 2007-12-10

2007-12-10T22:19:35Z

I will never understand the mindset that thinks, "If we ban guns, no one will carry one." Naivete? nah stupidity. Thank God one of the security people was armed in C Springs and prevented a real disaster. God bless her and thanks to her for her courage.

Comment from Cricket on 2007-12-10

2007-12-10T20:47:34Z

A friend of ours is a nice southern lady and she carries. She also teaches the toddlers in the nursery class at church. She used to teach the teenagers. No, the weapon isn't anywhere near the children; she keeps it in her car. Hm. Heh.

Comment from Neffi on 2007-12-10

2007-12-10T20:24:42Z

JMH, the Trinitarian controversy is more likely to incite stupified slumber than civil disorder so far as I'm concerned... you'd think 1700 years would be time enough to hash it out, eh?

Comment from HomefrontSix on 2007-12-10

2007-12-10T19:59:23Z

We have 2 LEOs at our church - one civilian and one military. They both carry, regardless of uniform. And everyone is comfortable with that. They make it well-known and invite discussion. I appreciate it and so do many others at church. An armed society is a polite society.

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2007-12-10

2007-12-10T19:56:06Z

I understand the debate regarding the Nicene Creed, but my recently-unfrozen-caveman brain doesn't get JMH's linkage. Or, it could be that my brain is being turned to mush by the info-overflow trying to get established in my new task.

Comment from J.M. Heinrichs on 2007-12-10

2007-12-10T19:36:43Z

Neffi Just a reminder: "Homoousian" versus "Homoiousian" is a doctrinal debate, not inciting civil disorder. Cheers

Comment from Neffi on 2007-12-10

2007-12-10T16:12:29Z

This law-abiding Coloradan no longer heeds the 'No Guns' signs- I've been packing the SIG pretty much everywhere, since the Omaha shootings. That sort of thing tends to unwrap the last tendril of sanity from the copy-catters. Mind you, very few places around here are posted- but I'm waiting for the knee-jerk signs to start appearing in response to Sunday. My little friend conceals easily (and I've got the permit)...

Comment from Fred on 2007-12-10

2007-12-10T15:54:14Z

I have the sense that attitudes are changing. Massive logical failures can be ignored for only so long.

Comment from FbL on 2007-12-10

2007-12-10T15:42:41Z

"Piece" of mind? OMG, brain cramp... or thinking about the ex-boyfriend (I miss him)... Yeah, that's my excuse! :P

Comment from FbL on 2007-12-10

2007-12-10T15:40:33Z

Such understatement, John! I'm not sure I get your point... ;) As you know, I've only held a firearm once (though I did pretty well, if I do say so myself). But I never feel safer among other people these days than when those other people are well-trained and armed. In my experience, nothing says piece of mind--in even the sketchiest parts of town--like an armed boyfriend. ;)