There are lots of people... some of whom here on this Board who claim EOD Abilities just because they see something, read something, or come into ancillary contact with Explosives.
The Courts and not the Police are involved in the Punishment Phase.... as I believe it is commonly held yet today in the United States of America that one is Innocent until proven Guilty in a Court of Law.
If you took the time to read my Post you would no doubt see that I posted.....
And yet for some strange reason you Posted that I Posted "no need for a standing Army".
I read that there was gunfire exchanged in a Courthouse not very long ago.... are you saying that I have the Constitutional Right to carry a Loaded Firearm into a Courthouse in the United States of America for "Self Defense"?
You said I have a right to "Self Defense", and, I'm guessing, merely because of the subjuct of this Thread such would mean supposedly incorporating the use of a Firearm..... and because of what you have already Posted.
Are you saying that Federal Law was broken by the State of Virginia by not allowing the Students to attend Class with loaded Firearms?.... that the Students right to "Keep and Bear" was illegally withheld at Virginia Tech?
What about an Aircraft?
Would not the same "Right to Self Defense" by means of a Firearm hold true in a Civilian Aircraft?
Do I have a Right in Law to take a loaded Firearm on my person with me on a Civilian Aircraft in the United States of America?
Many lives would have been saved had the 9-11 Hijackers been shot you know.... many times more than what could have been at the VT Shooting.
Is flying in an Aircraft a Constitutionally Protected Right?
How about attending a University?
Or are such acts choices?
Could not the Students at Virginia Tech just picked a different School where the "Right in Law" to carry a Loaded Firearm by Students to Class was extended?
Do you believe Parents of Students will feel safer knowing that each and every Student who wishes can have a Loaded Firearm at all times on their person in College?
Or will the Parents feel safer knowing there are less guns, not more, on the College Campus? It would be interesting to see how that all plays out.
First off, my apologies for not responding sooner. Work has been tough this week. Oh, the joys of being on salary and watching your hourly wage diminish every hour over 40 per week.
Regarding the EOD portion: those guys have my utmost respect. When I was in Special Weapons, I worked with them (the Augsburg, FRG detachment mainly), and during my deployment to Desert Storm, we had 3 teams attached to our company for our mission of putting some airfields back into operation. And, agreeing with something you wrote elsewhere, they didn't help me during my minefield breaching. Afterwards, they'd come by and see what was pushed aside or easily visible (looking for something interesting), but mostly we just saw buttloads of Russian and Italian mines, so they were mostly bored. They also preferred to stay away from my truck and bolster trailer, since I had about 3 tons of HE and Caps aboard.
Coming back to what I said in the earlier post. Perhaps I was overly broad: the police BEGIN the punishment by tracking down and arresting the subject. Of course they do not impose the punishment; but without their efforts, very damn few would be punished for their crimes.
Insofar as carrying in a courthouse, that is a restriction imposed by the polity on the right to carry. The bailiffs and uniformed officers there on business carry. They are simply recognized by the polity as having trust reposed in them. Some officers of the court are allowed to carry, providing a judge OKs that act. So this is not an outright prohibition. Also, keep in mind that my argument regards those licensed to carry concealed.
Regarding Virginia Tech, I think there may be argument in court about that issue. Being as it is a state institution and that state does allow concealed carry, it would be possible to hold that the Chancellor violated the student's rights. Keep in mind, though, I have no legal training, but I think that this could fly.
As far as carrying aboard aircraft is concerned, keep in mind that it is state law in Alaska, where the number of register airplanes greatly outnumbers the number of registered automobiles, that whenever flying out of sight of a town, the pilot MUST be armed. Whether this is a rifle, a shotgun, or a pistol is up to the pilot; however, he must be armed. There is no restriction on carrying in a private aircraft. The restriction comes in when you wish to traverse the restricted passenger sections of airports. Due to the history of hijackings by armed thugs who "want to fly this plane to Cuba" of the late '60s and early 70s, carrying of weapons was curtailed. But some people still fly armed. I was an Armed Forces Courier Service (ARFCOS) courier for a short time in the early 80s. I carried a .45 in a holster. When I boarded the aircraft, I gave the pilot the magazine, but retained a poor club for use should I need it. Some couriers are granted permission to retain their ammo. Then you have the Air Marshals, Secret Service, and others who routinely fly armed. So there are folks who fly armed. I would not be surprised if the list is somewhat lengthy, even so.
As far as the 9/11 hijackers are concerned, you don't need arms to overcome them. Witness Flight 93. All it takes is the determination that you won't surrender. You'll likely die, but you'll die fighting.
Personally, and I have a daughter who is nearing college age, I would be comforted by knowing the licensed CCW holders were attending school with her. I want HER to have that right, as well. She doesn't like pistols much, but she sees the need for one.
Personally, I view the citizenry as does LTC Dave Grossman (USA, Ret). In his work "On Combat" (or perhaps it was "On Killing" I am tired now and not thinking too clearly) he divides society into three broad categories: the sheep, which is most of the populace; the wolves, those who wish to predate upon the sheep; and the sheepdogs, those who protect the sheep. The sheepdogs are generally the military and the police or security organizations, but also include those individuals ready to defend themselves and others at need. The vice principal at that school who ran to his vehicle and got his .45 and stopped the one child from shooting others would definitely be a sheepdog, as was that man outside the courthouse in Texas that was killed while stopping the gunman who was blazing away at his ex-wife.
And on your final point we do agree: it will most certainly be interesting to see how this plays out. Given the D.C. circuit's recent ruling regarding the 2nd Amendment and how it is diametrically opposed to the rulings of 5 other Circuits, I believe the USSC will step in. Also, considering that we are now facing a conflict that is unlikely to be resolved in less than 40 or 50 years, where either Democracy or Radical Islam falls by the wayside, I really look forward to what shall happen in the next couple years.