I’ve been trying to stay out of this, but having heard responses from local quarters that we should just have…

I’ve been trying to stay out of this, but having heard responses from local quarters that we should just have concealed weapons, as if someone in the theater did, somehow things would have played out diffferently. (that’s fallacious logic to begin with… but…)

This, actually, came at me out of left-field, but speaks to the mindset I’ve heard repeated a lot of times given the environment I call home. http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/human_nature/2012/07/the_aurora_shooting_bulletproof_vests_swat_gear_and_body_armor_refute_the_nra_.html

So look. Talk of gun control reform in the wake of mass-murder is a good and healthy conversation to be having. Just have a balanced discussion about it. Make sure you fully grasp why we have things like the second amendment to begin with, so that you’re being as informed as is possible in your debate.

Also keep in mind that there are probably ten other ‘issues’ to be addressed in society that could well have made this play out a lot differently before we even get to the gun question. Those would also be good and healthy conversations to be having.

(Inadequate egress in theaters for any emergency always jumps to the top of my list.)

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/human_nature/2012/07/the_aurora_shooting_bulletproof_vests_swat_gear_and_body_armor_refute_the_nra_.html

]]>

Thanks for sharing. I had not given much thought to the body armor angle before this. I was already skeptical of the NRA stance, though, for other reasons.

Concealed carry is only a deterrance if we assume that mass murderers care much for their own survival. Considering how many of these individuals end their sprees with suicide, that is not at all assured.

As for actually using concealed weapons for defense–this is not a realistic thing to expect of a person with no combat experience. Even my father, who served in Korea and Vietnam, might have trouble picking off a gunman in a dark theater filled with panicking people and tear gas–body armor or no.

I have little confidence that more regulation–or even smarter regulation–will prevent criminals from acquiring assault weapons and gunning people down. That said, easier access to assualt weapons will not prevent such tragedies, either. Few citizens would consider toting an M4 against the infintesmal chance of a random shooting spree. If we ever do consider that a practical solution, we will truly be living in a war zone.

]]>

0 thoughts on “I’ve been trying to stay out of this, but having heard responses from local quarters that we should just have…”

Anonymous says:

July 23, 2012 at 5:07 pm

Thanks for sharing. I had not given much thought to the body armor angle before this. I was already skeptical of the NRA stance, though, for other reasons.

Concealed carry is only a deterrance if we assume that mass murderers care much for their own survival. Considering how many of these individuals end their sprees with suicide, that is not at all assured.

As for actually using concealed weapons for defense–this is not a realistic thing to expect of a person with no combat experience. Even my father, who served in Korea and Vietnam, might have trouble picking off a gunman in a dark theater filled with panicking people and tear gas–body armor or no.

I have little confidence that more regulation–or even smarter regulation–will prevent criminals from acquiring assault weapons and gunning people down. That said, easier access to assualt weapons will not prevent such tragedies, either. Few citizens would consider toting an M4 against the infintesmal chance of a random shooting spree. If we ever do consider that a practical solution, we will truly be living in a war zone.
]]>

Anonymous says:

July 23, 2012 at 6:18 pm

I maintain that no right guaranteed you is without its price–namely the responsibility that comes with exercising it.

I think a lot really goes back to basics and maybe when we start teaching what citizenry is again, we may stand a chance.
]]>

Anonymous says:

July 23, 2012 at 6:21 pm

‘Cause regulations, really, seem to stem from the abuse of freedom… Which is all reactionary, not proactive tackling of root causes.
]]>