Connecticut reaction on my blog

Howard Law

mayonardo

What Would Paladin Do?
I posted about the incident in Connecticut on my blog today. I delayed, for reasons below, but decided I needed to speak out. I've posted the content of that post here. Comments are welcome, but please, no political rants.

When things don't work, it is usually a sign that there is a lesson there, that some changes need to occur in order to correct whatever is wrong. The shooting in Connecticut is another example of something that does not work.

I have stayed far away from this story, as I did with the shootings in Colorado recently. Not because I do not grieve with the parents, friends and relatives, but because the story will be beaten to death in order to sell advertiser time, and to push various agendas. What gets lost in all this are the, to me, essential lessons.

The first lesson is that gun control as envisioned by gun haters is not only ineffective at resolving incidents like this (not to mention much smaller, frequent and more personal incidents that happen almost daily in America and across the world), it can contribute to the likelihood of things like this happening again. If guns were removed from law-abiding citizens, that fact would not stop the crazies, criminals and terrorists from getting and using guns, it would, in my opinion, make that much more likely and the consequences of that class of people more devastating. It would be plain open season on anyone without the means to protect themselves and their loved ones, and those people would, of course, be the law-abiding citizens who had to give up their guns.

Bad people think hard about confronting other bad people because they would know that the other guys are armed. Not so with the disarmed public. They would be easy prey to anyone who had a gun, knife or club.

The second lesson is that by prohibiting law abiding citizens from legally carrying in a designated place, that place then becomes what we used to call in the military, a free fire zone. Anyone wanting to wreak death and destruction would most likely pick a gun-free zone to do so for the simple reason that the odds are high that no one there would be armed and able to stop them. This is so obvious that I do not understand why we would ever want to create and advertise a free-fire zone to the criminals, crazies and terrorists.

I spent some time in Israel recently and I can assure you that the Israelis don't allow their school children to be unprotected or attend gun-free zones. You see a group of students out for a field trip, or a trip across town and they are invariably accompanied by adults with weapons. Go to a nice sidewalk cafe by the sea in Tel Aviv, and the guy at the entrance is packing. The Israelis don't think it is smart to have their people give up their weapons because a bunch of Arabs are trying to kill them and their families. We shouldn't either.

The third lesson is that this is, and always has been, a dangerous world. Thinking that removing dangerous things from the world will make it safe is a delusion. Cars are dangerous. So are alcohol, airplanes, electricity, poisonous emissions, submarines, knives, axes, and... well, you get the point. However, it should be noted that by themselves, none of the items in that list are dangerous in of of themselves. Unless they are used, or mis-used, by humans, they are pretty benign. Airplanes don't fly by themselves. Knives, axes and alcohol are static items that without human interaction would slowly degenerate into molecules over time. Guns. The same. So, obviously, one of the most dangerous elements to humans are other humans, and until that changes, I refuse to surrender the right to protect myself from them as effectively as I can.

In the end, I cannot see how depriving law abiding citizens the right to keep and bear arms would have in any way stopped the tragedy in Connecticut. Or in Colorado.

I can see that if a teacher, aid or even passerby on the school grounds who was legally carrying a weapon that day might have stopped or minimized the damage that did occur. At least the possibility would have existed where, instead, the law had decided to make that school a free fire zone for a crazed criminal.

If you are scared by all this, be scared of the society and the dangerous people in it, not the many things those unfortunate individuals may use to express their violent souls. Also, be somewhat comforted by the knowledge that there are among you many who hold their freedoms and rights dear and who would seek to protect themselves and others, perhaps you, from those dangerous individuals, and who legally have the means to do so.
 

Verticoli

Personal philosophy? Clothing optional.
Jun 10, 2012
638
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Fl's west coast
"I spent some time in Israel recently and I can assure you that the Israelis don't allow their school children to be unprotected or attend gun-free zones. You see a group of students out for a field trip, or a trip across town and they are invariably accompanied by adults with weapons. Go to a nice sidewalk cafe by the sea in Tel Aviv, and the guy at the entrance is packing. The Israelis don't think it is smart to have their people give up their weapons because a bunch of Arabs are trying to kill them and their families. We shouldn't either."

I'm always reminded of this photo;


buying_ice_cream_zps7a6ebfda.jpg
 

3Coyotes

Frontiersman
Jun 8, 2012
395
0
0
Effington, Ohio
Very well stated. Add our condolences to everyone in that community. After that, I can only loosely assemble my thoughts:

Existing gun control legislation did not stop the Norwegian massacre of 77 teenagers not so many months ago. Evil has a diabolical will... and will find a way. That is an undeniable and very painful truth.

Our PD has practiced active shooter drills in our school buildings for the last several years. There should be every confidence in the responders to such a call. However, as the old maxim goes, when you need a policeman now, he is only minutes away. A reactive buildind sweep is a highly choreographed effort. It is not to be confused with a surgical or quick strike against that shooter. It's no guarantee of the attacks immediately ending.

I have also had a hand in implementing our school district's proactive security plan. It includes progressive and redundent technologies. Each additional layer of security becomes almost exponentially more expensive. The more layers added, the more vulnerable you realize you really are and with current thinking, we might realistically have to defend our kids with broom sticks and banzai charges. Yes, banzai charges have been discussed as a deterrent to such an attack.

The only defense that may offer a chance of minimizing such an attack is to have an available equalizer as suggested by Verticoli . Of course, that equalizer is currently banned outright here.
 

framedcraig1

no fear...Ruger is here.
Jun 8, 2012
989
0
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Mapleton,ut
i carry to protect myself...and those I love. I would also do my best to protect other innocents who cannot do so. Would i be successful? Dunno. Would i give my life to do so..yes. Its not a deep or layered reponse to this type of threat. it's just the way i feel. i have already made most of the decisions that would be neccessary to work within a scenerio like the past few horrible situations that have unfolded in our country.. May God bless those families affected in conn. He is already doing so for those lost.. Craig
 

Yogi 117

Woodsman
Jun 8, 2012
222
1
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Salem OR
+1 Mayo. An Oregon Senator wrote a letter to area School Principals stating basically what you've said. Reaction to his letter? The "Lockdown" procedures in place work. Police Chief says Teachers are there to Teach, not make quick decisions regarding the "Idiot" who's shooting up the school. Typical Progressive Behavioral Thinking from the mucky mucks! My wife is a 5th grade teacher, and believe me when I say, teachers are scared & are beginning to question the "Lockdown" procedures in place. Your views are mirrored by myself & others I know, but probably not enough to change a darn thing. Pretty sad state IMHO! Yogi 8)
 

TRIGGER_1

Marksman
Mar 7, 2010
1,250
8
38
Athens, GA USA
Criminals and terrorists will usually strike at your weakest point.....

We need to pass laws that protect these weak points....

We all know what needs to be done.....But....We dont do it..... :'(

The question is...Will the USA make the right decision to protect us against criminals and terrorists...
 

bigdogdaddy

Tracker
Sep 16, 2012
731
0
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Indiana
I have been reluctant to comment on this latest tragedy at all for a number of reasons. After a lot of thought I will comment now.

I will start with the comment that will be most likely to get me "flamed". Changes in gun control are coming. No, it will not fix anything but it is coming. I currently see a parallel between the NRA and the teacher's union. ( I am married to a teacher. ) The public has for the most part, in one way or another, voiced that they want some changes in public education. The teacher's unions fight any aspect of this, but they do not offer an idea of their own. The public has, in one way or another, voiced that they are open to or favor some changes in gun control. The NRA has resisted this, as they should, but they have not offered anything either. I for one, maybe the only one here, have no problem with strict and thorough background checks to at least screen some of the BG's or nutcases from buying a gun legally. We can't avoid the reality that several of the recent people with obvious long term mental defects commited their acts of terror with legally purchased guns. Jared Laughner and James Holmes could not have even passed a simple eyeball test. Hell, they looked crazy. I for one would like for the NRA to take a break from asking me for money to enter into the discussion of gun violence.

As long as I am out here on this limb with my saw in my hand let me add one more thing. I also have no problem with at least a written test before a person is allowed to carry a gun on their person. I am not talking about a gun in their home, but one to carry. It scares the heck out of me that a person with absolutely no idea how to safely handle a gun can walk into a gun store, buy a gun, and walk out packing. Before I could legally drive I had to at least prove that I could safely handle one. That in no way insures that I would be safe once I got in the car, but it did insure I had the basic skills to do so. Save yourself some time by not giving me the old "one is a right and the other is a priviledge" argument. Been there. Done that.

Lastly, I would like to see all schools have one armed guard (in uniform or not) for each floor of the building. As the husband of a teacher I can assure that not all of the danger comes from outside the building. Also, I would like to see anyone that aspires to be a principal of a school to have mandatory training in defense and firearms. People that study to be a principal or superintendant are mostly of a certain caliber and personality that I believe they could handle the responsibility of the situation. They have also already committed to a lot of extended education so a couple of extra classes would not hurt a thing. Sadly, however, it appears that in this latest horrible incident that the entire shooting took place in less than 3 minutes so even these measures would not have stopped a lot of people from what happened. However, in many cases it would make all the difference in the world. Even if it only saved one child out of twenty it would be worth it. If that were your child can you even imagine hugging your child while 19 other families could not?

Sorry for the length. My thoughts and prayers to all inovolved. I can't even imagine.

Flame away.
 
R

rayzer007

Guest
bigdogdaddy said:
Flame away.

Rest assured BDD; friends don't flame friends ...... and we are all friends here! No flames allowed! ;)

Ray
 

Verticoli

Personal philosophy? Clothing optional.
Jun 10, 2012
638
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Fl's west coast
First, prayers and more prayers for the innocents that have been hurt. Sorry I didn't mention this before.

Second, I know some teachers and have some in our family and every time something comes up I say, "Think of something! You're the smart ones!". And that's usualy the end of that topic.

Third, BDD, my next next door neighbor is a school cop. Good guy. When he mows his yard, he wants it to look nice, so he mows his neighbors lawns and the woman's across the street.
 

framedcraig1

no fear...Ruger is here.
Jun 8, 2012
989
0
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Mapleton,ut
Gun control. No. Better training and background checking..yes. The mom was the owner, and all the guns were legal. I pretty much agree with all you've said here BDD. There is no quick...easy solution to what happened here. I still think that the only way to stop a maniac like this guy would be an honest, capable weapon carrier....or an armed "officer" on the grounds of every school. (Probably non uniformed so they won't be the first one shot. ) Why do YOU cc? This is EXACTLY the reason that I carry. I mean no disrepect to those sweet souls murdered by this crazy young man..and I'm including the adults here. Why do we all carry? Does this horror in any way change your point of view. Our world of controlled , safe, dependable cc is in serious jeopardy today folks. My feelings towards my carrying has only been reinforced by this terrible crime to humanity. My wife teaches, and we here in Utah have NO constraints against a cc carrying teacher. None. She is going to start carrying her LCP as soon as she figures out a carry holster.
 

redmond

Woodsman
Jun 8, 2012
153
5
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Western WA
Prayers for the families and all who are devastated by this evil. I've been numb since Friday.

BDD - no need for Nomex underwear

I agree with you in many ways. There will be changes in gun laws, probably with no effect on gun violence, but it will make the politicians think they 'did something'. Better ways of keeping weapons (of all kinds) out of the hands of mentally unstable people would be of more help - although how this identification of unstable people would work could also be frightening.

My State does not require any training, test, qualification - nada. You pays your money, gives your fingerprints and wait. In about 30 days (or so), barring them turnng up a felony or something, you get your CPL permit, since WA is a shall issue State. How the heqq do they know whether I can responsibly carry in public?? I would like to see this change as well.

Many of the local middle and high schools have police on campus during school hours, but not the elementaries. As you said, not all the trouble is from outside and they feel the middle and high schools are higher risk. Nothing would have prevented the scum in CT doing what he did, but an armed security guard might have limited the carnage - unless he was partrolling in another part of the school, etc. Evil people will find a way to commit evil acts.
 

lws380

Frontiersman
Mar 22, 2010
465
31
28
Seems to me the violence causes more people to go buy guns. Which of course puts more guns out in the public. I don't think that is a bad thing, but just a matter of fact. After the Colorado shooting and even the latest, I've had a number of calls from people saying the violence has made them get a concealed license. Even some of the local ladies are gearing up to get a concealed license.

I'll also point out that if you ever considered an AR, you better get in line for one soon. I agree some changes or attempted changes are on the way. While your at it, get as many high capacity magazines as you think you may need or want. That will be attacked also! I loaded up on my 16 rounders for my Springer 9mm 4 plus years ago.