Virginia Tech Thoughts, part 1

[greyyguy]

The shooting at Virginia Tech was a reprehensible event. It doesn't make sense for someone to go in and kill as many strangers as possible, so our view of the world is throw into confusion. If people died there for no reason what is to say that won't happen here today or next week or a year from now? Introducing that sort of uncertainty into our

Comments

[team_jessie]

I'm a little divided on this issue.
On one hand, it's true that anyone would think twice about pulling a gun if they knew that the other guy was also carrying one... and might be a better shot.
On the other hand... yeah... I'm picturing Mexican Standoffs at the grocery store.

Some of the most responsible people around guns are gun owners. Once you hold it in your hands, squeeze the trigger and feel the recoil, you immediately have a HUGE respect for what that thing can do. I know an awful lot of gun owners and gun enthusiasts. They are the most cautious, prepared and knowledgable people you'll ever meet when it comes to weaponry. THEY are not the ones who are going to go shoot up a school, however they are usually the scapegoat when a tragedy like this happens. So maybe if everyone experienced this, they'd be less excitable and uppity around guns. Kind of like the "legalize drugs" argument.

I think the appropriate course of action is the one we have in place right now. Get your criminal background checked, register every firearm with the government and abide by the limitations of your state.

And yes, we have a small arsenal in our home. :-D Handguns, rifles, semi-automatics, hunting knives and even compound bows. Everything's legal, everything's locked up... and I feel no need to either blow someone away or be armed every time I walk out the door. Even gun enthusiasts don't generally feel the need to carry a pistol to Dairy Queen :-)

[greyyguy]

The Mexican Standoff situation is one that concerns me with concealed carry. A lot of crimes that involve a gun turn into more of a hostage situation, and after a few hours, many of those end up with the criminal giving themselves up after a lot of talking. With a large number of people with a concealed weapon, how many of those situations would turn into a standoff or shooting?

And I certainly agree that greater familiarity with guns would give people a better feeling about them. And the gun owners are, as a group, very responsible. But at the same time, the VT shooter was a legal gun owner. The concern I have is not with the group of people, but with the individuals in that group. Anyone can have a bad day and do something dumb. Some people. like the shooter, can just go off their rocker and decide that they want to die and take a lot of people with them. More guns would increase the risk that when someone does have a breakdown they would have a tool that could do a lot more damage then they could alone.

I don't know Dairy Queen though. That can be a dangerous place...
"I said 'NO SPRINKLES!'" :)