As near as I recollect, the student involved was not a criminal prior to the event. I'll stand corrected if I'm wrong.
You are quite right, he probably wouldn't have killed as many, but wild firing by the other students involved may have killed a lot more. Remember, even people who are trained for this type of thing get flustered under the pressure of being shot at, a group of armed students would be at least as dangerous as the attacker, probably a lot worse.
I never said "no matter what" I just said that it would have greater potential for serious harm to others, than the alternative.
Anyway, as I said to the poster above, it ain't my country, I don't really give a :cens:. It's just that I hate to see a group of people who enjoy using firearms put their own heads in the noose. You feel perfectly free to take your country back to the mentality of the wild west. I'll just stand back and watch from a safe distance.
Ok let me state then that ". . . criminals and would be criminals . . . ". Anything else I can clarify? I don't think it takes a genius to put together the logic that follows if a person legally purchases a firearm for criminal intent that he is soon to be a criminal.
May have, might have, should have, would have, could have. We can play the "what if" game all day. My point, and other's, remains that this kind of thing
could have been less lethal had someone (teacher or student) been armed and willing to act. Period, Dot, End of Story.
You may not have
said "no matter what" but at times you, and others, on this forum have implied it with your opinions on the subject of gun control.
As for referring to the "mentality of the wild west" that is just silly.
I mean geez, how many people do you know nowadays that tip their hat to a lady and call them ma'am.
How many kids do you know that actually respect someone just because they are an adult that is not their parent.
How many people do you know that give one rat's arse about a stranger in need?
Used to be that "light and set" was a common phrase when a stranger came to your house/campfire. Nowadays it is "who are you and what do you want". Mentality of the Wild West indeed.
One last comment for you:
True it is
my country. So if you
indeed don't
"give a :cens:" why are you even commenting in this thread on these issues?
On another note:
I believe Campus Security was reacting to the call on the other side of the campus...you know...where the shootings started. As for why it took hours to respond..who knows. Don't question the man on the ground until
you have
all the facts, and something tells me that no one on this forum has
all the facts. (somehow I believe I have said something very similar to this in other posts).
Kneejerk reactions have a tendency to leave your foot in your mouth.
These are of course my opinions and observations. This freedom of speech was given to me by my relatives and other men and women who were armed
against need (wonder where that would apply here. . ) that stood ready to
defend themselves and others when needed (hmm..does it apply here somewhere. . ) and took the time to institute it in the Constitution of the United States of America.
Somehow our freedom of speech (which is in the Bill of Rights. . right?) is linked directly to people being able to bear arms in defense of themselves, others, and their country (which is also in the Bill of Rights. . right?).
Have a good day.
EDIT:
Have a read at this
http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Sections/NEWS/PDFs/061002_Safe_Schools.pdf