tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472211903033725545.post7529066954790151135..comments2024-01-12T12:52:08.097-07:00Comments on Billlls Idle Mind: Gifford ShootingBillllhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13913354887560267235noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472211903033725545.post-41036872174304285222011-01-11T18:56:20.463-07:002011-01-11T18:56:20.463-07:00As it happens, there was indeed an armed citizen p...As it happens, there was indeed an armed citizen present. He arrived on scene as the onlookers were pulling Loughner, and assisted them in restraining him. He said that when Loughner was relieved of his pistol, he went for a knife, but was completely overpowered.Billllhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13913354887560267235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472211903033725545.post-54545632449953545512011-01-11T09:27:09.873-07:002011-01-11T09:27:09.873-07:00It is a truism that nothing can stop a committed a...It is a truism that nothing can stop a committed assassin that doesn't *need* to escape.<br /><br />What I missed in the news coverage was the question - why was the shooter the only citizen with a gun, and possibly able to end the spree with fewer injuries and deaths?<br /><br />I mean, as a nation we depend on people agreeing to serve on police forces, in the military, and in other roles to protect the nation and our fellow citizens. Gun control, any rhetoric that discourages or limits gun ownership, diminishes the ability of the citizen to defend self, family, and community.<br /><br />Is it possible someone might have been able to recognize the danger and stop the shooter before the first shot? Likely not - usually there are local peace forces at such events, and none of them made the news by stopping the guy. <br /><br />In this case, gun control was present, and completely effective. Everyone that obeyed the law was disarmed. Only the shooter, choosing to disobey the law, had the gun, and isn't that the expected result? Having the gun in a Disarmed Victim Zone made the shooter a criminal, just so no one is confused by the results of the criminal actually pulling the trigger. <br /><br />Those present at the shooting, those injured, and the families of those killed all suffered first from gun control that created the Disarmed Victim Zone, then from the nearly-endless shooting spree that was drawn to the DVZ. <br /><br />Myself, I am angry about the gun control as well as the shooter.Brad K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/18378344866487206569noreply@blogger.com