Oh, I'll go ahead and say it if YOU won't

[howardtayler]

If you've missed it on the news, there was a shooting here in Utah Monday evening. An 18-year-old with a shotgun killed five before being cornered by Ken Hammond, an off-duty police officer who kept him pinned down with fire until uniformed officers arrived. It's not clear who fired the shot that killed Sulejmen Talovic, but the perp is dead, and

Comments

[gilmoure]

Gotta' love our cops. Can't pay me enough to have to deal with... less than savory people, like they do, and to have to live with stuff like what happened yesterday.

I used to game with a country sheriff. Due to his influence, I got my carry license. Hell of a gaming night when more than half the folks showing up were armed. 'Course, made for some real nitpicking when it came to games with firearms.

[moonsword22]

At least once, one of the members of our group has looked up from where he's set up running that week to discover that his wife has been handing out knives, swords, and other sharp objects. All but two people in the group had one in hand at that point. The two who didn't had either a makeshift garrote/whip made from a key chain or sharp, claw-like fingernails.

Good times, that. Gaming while surrounded with lethal weapons, including a variety of knives and swords with a dash of firearms including a couple of shotguns, plus a well-made shovel for that classic horror game effect, that's a great way to set the atmosphere. *evil grin*

On a more serious note, good thinking stopping that whacked little punk. It is never right that someone has to die in a situation like that but Lord is it sometimes necessary.

[bibliophage]

Too bad that those five people had to wait for an off duty cop to show up.

BW

[goodluckfox]

Small world.

I have a friend who's sister's sister in law's husband just died suddenly from complications due to appendicitis. He was 40 and it was unexpected. The poor family across the street gave the widow a card with 100 bucks in it. It was very touching, because they prolly didn't have much to spare.

And it was that family's kid who shot up the mall... they don't have the money to bury their son. Just to put a human face on things.

names omitted, because this is info from a friends-locked post.

[goodluckfox]

To clarify, dead husband -> condolence card with c-bill from family -> a few days later family son shoots up the mall.

I think the widow is going to give them a card with some money in it.

[howardtayler]

Very sad, and I don't doubt for a minute that the boy will be missed by his family.

As I said above, it's not good that these things happen. It would certainly be BETTER if non-violent means could be found to prevent them from happening in the first place (e.g. counseling). But every violent sociopath out there is some mother's son.

[wolfrick]

First, I'm glad everything seems to be fine with the Taylor clan.
Second, I'm glad that officer Hammond was there, ready and willing to do what he did.
Third, I'm upset that an off-duty police officer was apparently the only armed citizen to respond.

I've been carrying a weapon since, shortly after the 1990 Luby's Massacre I found myself in that very same Luby's restaurant by chance.
I'm a CHL Instructor, and have a concealed handgun permit. I carry a rifle in my car. I will train ANYONE who asks in basic weapons handling, for free.

I encourage each and every one of you who read my words to get TRAINING and get LICENSED, and carry with you the tools necessary to stop these SICK MADMEN from carrying out their suicidal rampages.

Carrying a handgun with you isn't sexy. It isn't macho. It isn't fun. Truth be told, it's a giant pain in the ass... sometimes literally. But it's the price I pay to be READY to defend myself should something like the Luby's Massacre or the North Hollywood bank robbery shootout or this rampage in Utah

[sciolist]

If everyone was so diligent as to get trained in responsible use of a firearm I'd be happier to see more of them out there. Sadly, I suspect that not everyone is that responsible.

[unixronin]

That.

Any free society, no matter how enlightened, basically lasts only as long as its citizens are prepared to stand up and defend it against those who would tear it down. When the citizens stop caring, or just can't be bothered any more, its days are numbered.

[bibliophage]

It's not when the people stop caring. It's when they start believing the rhetoric that says that they should put that burden on someone else - employed by the people that they should be prepared to put down.

BW

[kisc]

Add "emotionally stable" to competent, please.

I personally have no interest in carrying a handgun, though for quite the opposite reason to the previous poster. You see, I am a menace to society. Stupid people make me mad. Cutting me off in traffic, for instance, ESPECIALLY after I went to so much trouble to get in the lane I'm in without upsetting anyone else, really tunes me up.

Hi. My name is Kisc, and I have a temper.

I probably wouldn't shoot someone for cutting me off. Most days

[bibliophage]

As I posted earlier, then you really should get some basic training.

Having a hot temper is one thing - I have one myself. However, I own more than five firearms, and have carried them with loaded clips (not in the weapon, I don't have a need for that) in my vehicle when in extremely stressful situations. (I have to carry them sometimes for two or three days before I can get time to go to the range).

I've never pulled one out, even when having people making threatening gestures in my direction (or directly at me). The gun is a last restore self defense item, it's not to be used for offence. Cursing at someone is much more relieving for offensiveness.

Go to a local gunrange. Tell them you have a temper, but you want to know what to do, and NOT to do, when confronted with a firearm. You'll appreciate it.

BW

[_eljefe_]

However, I own more than five firearms, and have carried them with loaded clips (not in the weapon, I don't have a need for that) in my vehicle when in extremely stressful situations. (I have to carry them sometimes for two or three days before I can get time to go to the range).

Um, magazines, not clips. Mags for short. (unless you are caring an older rifle that uses stripper clips, in which case I apologize) Now on to why I am commenting to your post:

An unloaded gun is a paperweight. It's not balanced right to be a club, and difficult to throw with any accuracy. It has limited use as a bluff, especially if your opponent has one of his own that is loaded. If I were to carry a firearm (which I may or may not) it would be fully loaded, round in the chamber, safety off. (another note for the general public: I am trained, and the weapon is built to be carried like this. If I have one. Know your weapon, your laws, and yourself before you do this!!!)

Second, the phrase "I have to carry them sometimes for two or three days before I can

[bibliophage]

Technically, a 'clip', or rather, a 'cartridge clip' (or 'ammunition clip'), is a 'metal frame or container holding cartridges for a magazine rifle or automatic pistol'. (Note that a 'banana clip' is just a long 'magazine' that bends because of the shape of the spring and ammunition