Op-ed from One-Eyed –
Conceal and Carry and Batman!
Would a ‘Conceal and Carry’ citizen have stopped the Colorado shootings?
It’s easy to look back now at the series of unfortunate events and conclude that if someone in the audience was carrying, they could have likely jumped up and fired upon this man, quickly dissolving the problem.
But what you might not consider, how many people were dressed up? This is a very popular thing to do at movie premiers of which super heroes or other costume clad actors are the stars. Whether its Frodo or Darth Vador as well.
Did this person blend in with other costumed fans? Was it a theater full of villains and super heroes?
Since the gun fire was very rapid, and this person seemed to target nobody in particular but rather random people in the audience while strafing the isles…. it could be easy to determine who the shooter was and therefore it sounds plausible that a ‘conceal and carry’ person could have easily ended the situation.
But now image a single gun shot, lots of people dressed up and franticly moving about. Now say you have four ‘conceal and carry’ persons all try to diffuse the scenario. They could not know for sure who to shoot at, and so now you would have multiple persons shooting at each other, making for a very dangerous and confusing situation. Right?
Now imagine that the police have just walked in. There is only one ‘bad guy’ in this scenario, but the police see five gunmen all firing upon each other. They are trained to quickly take these people out, no questions asked.
How is a member of the audience, who came to see the movie and is probably focused on the screen suppose to diffuse this type of situation? He took a test to handle that weapon, but he is not trained to observe, identify and diffuse this type of threat. All he can do is point and fire at who he assumes is the bad guy.
Remember them scenes from the old movies where the cop would round a corner and find two men standing, both pointing a gun at each other. The cop being confused at who to shoot at, since he didn’t see any prior events, he only heard some shots in the distance and came to assist. And almost at once, each of the two men frantically try to persuade the cop to shoot at “Not me, him!” “No, shoot the other guy, I’m the good guy!”, “Nah uh, I’m the real good guy..!”
Well, its a fifty/fifty chance that things are gonna work out for you.
What if there are two crazed shooters? You don’t know at the time what exactly is going on. Maybe a similar situation happens again, but this time there is not only a shooter walking the isles, but also a shooter who is seated.
Is this man, who just stoop up and is now brandishing a weapon, a ‘conceal and carry hero’ or is he another ‘bad guy’? Who do I shoot at? I suppose you can identify yourself, hopefully quickly and accurately enough to avoid confusion. Still sounds risky though.
I just don’t see how allowing all these ‘Conceal and Carry’ citizens out and about everywhere are really gonna help.
The ‘conceal and carry’ could possibly work best by only having one person in each theater. One designated person so that no confusion could be created.
For example, a security guard. Someone who is trained not only to use but to diffuse. This person is to constantly scan the crowd, not watch the movie.
Besides, adding anymore guns to the mix is just gonna create more chaos and bloodshed.
And what are average citizens doing with assault rifles? Just what can you legally do with these things? Can someone please enlighten me on why we need these? Banana clips or drums?
People want the Right to Bare Arms, but they don’t want to carry around a musket or drag a cannon everywhere, do they?
They want Modern 21st Century Weapon Technology protected by an old, out dated 19th century Bill of Rights.
The Right to Bear Arms? Sure, when there is a Civil War going on, I’d be
happy to hand out MUSKETS to all of our minutemen. But that’s not the case anymore is it?
Can you imagine a ‘shooting spree’ ever taking place if all we had were muskets?
It’s not possible.
Heck, if you think about it, Lincoln being assassinated might just be the first ever ‘movie theater shooting spree.’ I don’t mean to make a joke, but think about it. If Booth had an assault rifle, the headline might have been different.
Lets say for every 100,000 people, there is one nut job with a gun who will shoot
a few people. Now what’s a better idea?
Concentrate on giving those 100,000 people a deadly loaded weapon to carry around everywhere or work on taking away that 1 gun from the nut job??
Giving out hand guns to everyone, to prevent shootings in public places, is like saying we
should put more drivers on the road to look for drunk drivers….in order to prevent
drunk driving related car crashes!!….Wow, What the heck?? Does that make any sense
to you now??
So if we let all these people carry guns around to protect themselves and others from the crazies
at the mall. Then I should be able to protect myself as well……from terrorists. Which is why I
should be able to mount an M-60 machine gun and some anti-aircraft missiles on my car.
I hope I don’t void the automobiles warranty.
66 thoughts on “Op-ed: Would a ‘Conceal and Carry’ citizen have stopped the Colorado shootings?”
GUNS DO NOT KILL PEOPLE !
PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE !
Why not ban cigarettes – they kill people!
Why not ban motorized vehicles – they kill people!
…..and the list goes on and on and on
There has been a lot of good thoughts expressed here…and a lot of stuff that is far from the mark. I won’t re-hash everything, I just wanted to share my thoughts concerning why I carry a personal firearm. I carry to protect myself should I ever find myself in need of that protection. I do not carry “concealed” to protect you or anyone else. I will use my weapon to extricate “myself” from any deadly situation and for the most part…the rest of you are on your own!
Very well put, Lawsteward.
Bravo.
This obviously needs to be pointed out…
There are TWO different Davids posting under this story. One is using just David for the name and then there is me, using David McCoy. Let’s try to keep them straight so we don’t have anymore comments like this…
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
anonymous
July 23, 2012 at 12:01 pm
David your disclaimer said you would not argue about your opinion so leave matt and his opinion alone.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
My disclaimer remains intact. Please try to pay attention to detail.
BAN semi-automatic guns only !
Guns do not kill people. People kill people !
That’s the stupidists thing I’ve ever heard. Why not ban just the guns that only shoot bullets.
That comment was obviously made by someone that does NOT know his guns. My Ruger 10-22 (.22) is a semi-auto. My Remington 1187 is a semi-automatic. BUT, my Remington 870 is obviously a pump. I am damn near just as fast with 5 shots out of that as i am with my 1187.
Yes, please educate yourself about firearms before you spout off. Most firearms are semi-automatic, meaning it chambers a new live round after each shot, but you have to pull the trigger another time to fire the next round. There are pump action shotguns that you have to manually chamber the next round. There are bolt action rifles that require you to place the next live round into the breach before the next shot can be taken. Revolvers require another trigger pull for the next round to fire. I think what you meant to say was “automatic” weapons, ones where you pull the trigger and it fires repeatedly until the magazine is empty.
First and foremost, please note the use of my real name, as requested. Also, I had this all typed out once already and was quite satisfied with it. It took me quite a while to get it just how I wanted it, but when I attempted to post it I received an error message about the captcha code not reading correctly. When I attempted to go back, everything was gone. So, everything below is an attempt to recreate what I had written before. Unfortunately, it is not as good as it was before… I’m tired now and pissed off that I lost all that work (this one was written in MS Word and then pasted into the comment box so I wouldn’t lose it all again!).
I am a CCW permit holder and I do carry a weapon with me about 90% of the time. Two years ago I didn’t give gun ownership much thought, but with the increase in violence and criminal activity in my neighborhood, the increase of crime everywhere, and a couple of threats to my life and safety of my family by a couple unsavory individuals (whom shall remain nameless) for utterly ridiculous reasons, persuaded me to exercise my 2nd Amendment Right to Bear Arms.
So, over the past few days since this shooting, I have thought about the situation and how I feel I would have reacted. I have read many, many responses to that question and had many personal conversations about it. I can honestly say that I believe no one will ever be able to tell you how they would react until they have lived that type of situation.
I can honestly tell you that, had I been in that theater and armed (despite the fact that the theater was a posted no weapons zone) when this senseless attach occurred, I mostly likely would NOT have been leaping rows of seats and scattered bodies in an attempt to put a slug into the attacker’s melon. No, I am certain I would have been crouched on the floor, shielding the bodies of my family with my own. Would I have had my weapon drawn and ready for use? Most definitely. I have proven to myself that I will, in the face of reasonable threat to my own life, or that of my family, protect it with reasonable force. I have had to draw my weapon once since I began carrying it. I felt that my wife and I were at serious risk. I believe that the presence of my weapon and my willingness to present it diffused the situation. I will not go into details about the situation, as I do not wish to make my identity known to the person(s). Suffice it to say that my night ended peacefully, albeit a little shaken. I hope I do not ever have to do that again. I do not like the feelings it left me with, nor do I care for the feelings it evoked in my wife. No one should have to live in fear of walking down the street in their own neighborhood.
I see a lot of people going on and on about more gun laws and banning all weapons. This will not solve the problem. When you take away the guns and make owning one a crime, then only criminals and government (I know, synonymous) will have guns. Where will that leave the average law abiding citizen? We will be at the mercy of criminals and government. I would love to know, at what point in our history, the people decided that our roles should be reversed; the government should fear it’s people, not the vice versa. The government is supposed to work for us, not control us. As it is, the U.N. Small Arms Treaty is shaping up to disarm the law abiding citizens of America. Couple that with this wonderful new RFID chip implant idea that (y)our government wants to implement and we will all be lemmings in no time.
As much as I could continue on about the gun issue, I do not believe that I can do it any better justice than what I found in one article online, written by Maj. L. Caudill, USMC (Ret.). Please see the following link to my Facebook profile where I have his article saved as a note. I have it set to public so everyone should be able to view it.
https://www.facebook.com/notes/david-mccoy/the-best-pro-gun-argument/10150319035715295
DISCLAIMER: Please note that everything above is MY OPINION, and therefore, not open for debate. I am entitled to my opinion as you are entitled to yours. I will not engage in an argument where we attempt to change each other’s minds about our stance on this subject. You will either agree with me or agree to disagree with me.
” Would a ‘Conceal and Carry’ citizen have stopped the Colorado shootings?”
In this case? Not a chance. Dark theater with gas in the air released from canisters. Too many subjects, not enough certainty as to which one was the shooter.
Even the Police involved would ( and did ) have a hard time. But they were in a different mode……save as many lives as they could, and not getting shot themselves. They walked into a dark theater not exactly sure what they would find.
If the professionals were perplexed, an average citizen would be moreso.
“I hope I don’t void the automobiles warranty.”
As long as you don’t talk to your car, everything will be ok.
How do I figure that a concealed weapon puts more people in danger? Umm, let me think, because it’s not a concealed twisler, it’s a weapon!! Last time I checked more than 80 Americans a day are killed by firearms. That’s over 7 of these Colorado shootings every day!! Statistically the people you love are much more likely to be killed by your gun than any criminal.
I know having a gun makes people “feel” more safe and secure. I understand, logic and reason are the enemies of emotion and satisfaction, but that doesn’t mean they’re wrong.
By the way, I’m sick and tired of defending myself against people without the courage of their convictions! I never have and never will post here or anywhere else without attatching my name to it, without authorship there is no authenticity. Please quit hiding behind screen names and put yourself out there as a true member of the community. Let your voice be heard, I’m sick and tired of the tough guys with racist, homophobic and plain old riduclous ideas here not being held accountable. That especially goes for you Dick Knight, I thought you were stronger than that and I know you’re in no danger of losing your job.
I’m not an idiot, I know folks won’t submit their names because of this, I’m just hoping anyone who has read this feels a little shame every time they don’t.
Shut up
I hear the shame in your post MARY. HA
I agree with “mary” matt please shut up
Statisticly speaking 50 people are killed per day by drunk drivers. Cars and guns don’t kill, it’s the people that get behind them that do. If someone wanted to kill someone and he didn’t have a gun or a car he would find another way to do it. Passing laws prohibiting guns only keep them out of law abiding citizens hands, criminals don’t obey laws. Allowing a legal citizen to carry a weapon balances the playing field, makes the scumbags of this world think twice.
Are you really comparing cars and guns? A car is designed, built, and used to transport people to and from destinations. A gun is designed to kill something.
A car and a gun are a tool made for different purposes. The person behind that tool uses it for good or bad. The gun is used for hunting, competition shooting, target shooting, and for war I will give you that. A car will kill just as fast as a gun.
David your disclaimer said you would not argue about your opinion so leave matt and his opinion alone.
Freedom of speech allows him to respond if he so chooses.
there are more rules and regulations in buying and owning a car than there is in buying and owning a gun. Seems to me that owning a gun should be at least regulated more than owning and operating a car.
Matt-Let me explain to you in terms you might understand. I used to use my real name and even my address on letter I wrote to express my opinion. Then on one incident where I expressed an opinion on a problem here in the North End I had a group of eight guys shoe up at my house threatening me and my family. I had to show a weapon to disban them. Now I hide behind my initials and it is really none of your business. If you don’t like it don’t debate with us. Just shut up and go away.
I was wanting to comment on that as well but I was waiting to see if you were going to ignore it. I remember you talking about your situation on another thread. A friend of mine had a very similar situation. Matt does not get it and i don’t expect him too at 32 years old. He doesn’t understand how information someone can obtain about you on the internet and how much it puts you and your family at risk. It’s not worth it on this or any blog. No one is filling out a job application here it is only stating an opinion which in the big scheme of things doesn’t even really matter anyway. If he had kids…he might think differently.
As far as Switzerland goes, every male is required to serve in the military, usually at age 20, they are issued a weapon and they take it home is my understanding. On top of that, the Swiss have a homogonous society with a strong economy. People who feel like they have something to lose usually don’t go on shooting sprees.
Who is the last married man with kids you remember hearing about going on a shooting spree or blowing up a business with a bomb vest. Conceal Carry puts more people in LIFE THREATENING danger than it protects. If everyone having the ability to defend themselves is such a great idea, why don’t we just let Iran have nukes? I mean if we all have the capability to kill in an instant it’ll make the criminals (Iran) think twice before doing anyting criminal right?
How do you figure having a concealed weapon puts more people in danger?
Again, the police or anyother law enforcement agency cannot be everywere all of the time. You either place your faith in the fact that you never find yourself in a situation, or that the police will be able to prevent the situation you find yourself in, or you protect yourself.
You can choose to be a victim, choose to gamble that you never find yourself in a bad situation or protect yourself. I choose to protect myself. You have the right not to an I have the right to do so. That should be good enough for everyone.
Keep giving your rights away people. Soon you will be told what to do and when to do it. Maybe then you’ll feel even safer.
Are you really comparing Iran, a country that has made no secret of their hated of the west and America getting nuclear technology that give them the ability to commit genocide the same as individuals legally obtaining fire arms in the US?
I’ve read about a couple of dozen similar essays (pro/con) about CC people and how they would’ve taken out the perp. In none of these diatribes did they mention that Holmes was wearing body armor and a helmet! If you remember the two bank robbers in North Hollywood, they stayed on their feet a long time even though they were being targeted by dozens and dozens of trained police officers. The police had to break into a nearby gun shop and procure heavier caliber rifles to put them down.
This was a darken movie theatre in a full state of panic. Let say you did squeeze off a round. You would have likely targeted the center body mass to no affect. Your muzzle flash has now given away your position. Holmes also used a rifle w/scope and you now have the cross hairs on your forehead. Lights out.
Unless you are a highly trained person with intense combat experience, you would only exacerbate an already highly chaotic situation. You endanger yourself and those around you. Little would have changed by someone who main experience is shooting beer cans and pop bottles in a gravel pit.
On the news yesterday they played the radio traffic between the police officers and I swear I heard one officer say he was wearing a vest.
I believe the shooter had on full body armor including a bullet-proof vest, neck protector, and groin protector. He also had on special clothing, but I can’t remember what it was called. Ballistic clothing? He was one crazy nut who didn’t want to commit suicide by cop. He wanted to live. Why?
He wanted his 15 minutes of fame?
A few people have made references to Switzerland and basically how everyone has a gun and gun crime is almost nil.
I find that very interesting.
This is what I like to see for comments. A good structured argument with ideas and facts being exchanged back and forth, rather than a pissing contest filled with name calling and personal attacks.
We should all act mature if we think we are all mature enough to carry weapons, right?
Just wanted to point out that Switzerland is a very rich country and they don’t have all the drug problems that America does.
Plus all the men are required to have military training from ages 21-32.
I dont think that those few things make all the difference, but still interesting none the less.
At least we know they have the proper training to use those weapons.
After reading Peter Ls 10:35 post, I have another thought. Maybe on the front door of the theater there is a sign that says, No Guns Allowed. Now that will/should, cause all law abiding citizens to leave their guns at home if their going to this theater. So, can you guess who is not going to obey the sign…
Thanks to One Eyed for writing this thought stream out in a very competent and compelling manner. It was virtually the 2nd thing I thought of after this news story broke: Where are the conceal and carry people to stop their fantasy scenario? Out of a packed movie theater in Denver area NO ONE, legal or illegal had a gun on their person? You see, this theater shooting is what ultimately debunks the conceal and carry argument. There’s just not enough time to react to shock, awe, and pandemonium, not to mention rounds flying in the air at you!
Everyone on NIT should feel grateful that a new, very skilled and intelligent writer has emerged. I only returned on here because One-Eyed is worth responding to. He still has my open invite to join up at the revolution as well (not trying to steal NIT’s thunder-just want a tour de force of powerful writers and thinkers condensed in one home).
This man was extremely smart (James Holmes) and as ONe Eyed writes about, picking a Batman premier with costumes and dramatics was very diabolically genius.
Here though is where I diverge. I agree with Trucker Dave, knowing that many people out there conceal and carry, could have thwarted this cowardly little punk from assaulting a bunch of innocents. HOwever, knowing this demonic coward, he would have turned to even more innocent venues like daycares and schools.
I’ve argued this with My Voice as well: Putting more conceal and carries out on the street will only increase the amount of impulse crimes committed. The balance will tip and you’ll have to account for that death toll wise. Is 12 people in a theater by a lone gunman worse than 1200 extras from road rage and people pissed off for a moment while drunk with a weapon?
Education and training is key, but as animals cannot help themselves when they engage in defensive or offensive postures, humans too from time to time will flare up. Impulse training is key.
Wasn’t it Ronny Reagan who subscribed to “Peace thru superior Firepower”?
There’s elements of truth in that. But the peace won’t last long, and ultimately humans will want to duke it out, with more wild west bullets flying rather than fists and knuckles.
Great Job One-Eyed (penis is what I was thinking of too! lol)
Peter L.-what are you doing back on NIT after your rant about Matt and saying you were done here forever. I guess forever means something different to a communist liberal.
In the military the mindset is you train as you fight you fight as you train. When it all hits the fan your training takes over and you will react without thinking. You can buy a weapon and get a CCW and carry a weapon everywhere you go and one day a guy walks up and pulls out a weapon and starts shooting and you will dive for cover because you do not have the training on how to react and have to stop and think about what to do. You will eventually react but by then the damage has been done. Maybe there was someone there that was armed but they didn’t react until it was too late and the scumbag was already gone, or maybe they were armed and had family or friends that was wounded and they went to them right away shielding them. All best laid plans go out the window when the bullets start to fly. You can scope out all the exits, the best shooting positions and when it all starts and all you have is the guy next to you that has been hit you have to come up with a new plan right there on the spot. Unlike peter I believe that the more people that are armed eventually the less crimes there will be, like Switzerland.
At one point in history every house hold in switzerland was required to have a weapon, I don’t know how it is now but back then they had no army so the population was the army and the crime rate was almost nil. It is still the lowest % crime rate in the world because almost every home or as you say the military personel are all armed at home. If you were a criminal and wanted to break into a house but wasn’t sure if they were armed or not what would you do? John is probably right on his assesment, many times I went to the movies and have seen a sign that says no firearms allowed. By passing all these laws only the law abiding people will be following the laws, criminals don’t follow laws, think about it. How stupid do they think we are.
“They want Modern 21st Century Weapon Technology protected by an old, out dated 19th century Bill of Rights.”
“Thanks to One Eyed for writing this thought stream out in a very competent and compelling manner.”
No, not well thought out at all. We have courts to tell us if the law is applicable or not. Not you, and indeed, not Peter. Chicago v. McDonald is more than clear that the idea behind the Second Amendment is left intact. Had it not been needed, the Justices would have struck it down.
Personally, I fear people like you and Peter who desire to abridge our Constitutional rights, versus those who want to follow it and own guns.
So is my CCW permit and trusty sidearm supposed to give me super powers? Does it make me a citizen police person? Am I OBLIGATED to “fight crime and injustice battle evil-doers” whenever I see it? No.
You can make up any story or situation to fit your idea. Evidentally you don’t care much for guns, so you make up a story where in the end, legally carrying persons shoot it out with each other.
Silly really.
Yes, one legally carrying person could have helped end that disaster. That young man snapped, we may never know why.
As for assault weapons, very few civillians own one. Now there are some who own semi automatic weapons that look like assault weapons which a perfectly legal to own, but there full automatic versions are owned by the millitary an law enforcement. A few individuals will spend the money to get permits and pay the taxes to ownd an assualt rifle but not very many.
It’s been said “ban all guns, everyone will be safe then”! In a perfect world yes. We don’t live in a perfect world. Criminals will build them, buy them from the black market or never turn them in. They will switch to explosives er chemicals to do there mass killings with. There is always a way to kill someone if you choose to do so, the method or weapon being the only difference.
Law enforcement cannot be all places at all times, so I choose to protect myself. You can choose to do the same or rely on someone else for your safety. That choice is yours guranteed by the constituion, so is gun ownership. Lets keep both shall we?
WOW! Well said. Thank you for the very intelligent post!
One-eyed…you will NEVER understand will you. You have no clue and probably never will. I’ll just post this link for the others that CAN understand…
http://iowarevolution.com/topic/why-i-support-the-2nd-ammendment
And as far as the assault rifle…i own one BECAUSE I CAN, BECAUSE I WANT TO, and I kill coyotes with it. AND I WOULD CARRY AROUND A CANNON. Mounted to my truck if i could get away with it.
Spanky, your going to shoot your eye out.
I wish I could go that website and check it out, but I am allergic to whine.
Just go there and read the post…you won’t encounter whine, i promise.
I just got back from 2 days in the field training with a wide array of weapons. I firmly believe you perform how you train. Training is the key for any situation. How many CCW holders actually train? So, one-eyed (which i think refers to the penis) may be right in some aspects. Most people think…ok, gotta gun…got my permit…i’m ready. BULLSHIT! How many really know how to use it safely, properly, and efficiently? I do not agree with Iowa’s new law regarding permitting. No training, well no REAL training requirements required. That’s just stupid. I train constantly and I believe if you are going to carry a gun…you better train with it. And train with a certified instructor!!!
I know, he’s really pissed me off here before…but so far so good over there. I’m not afraid to get into exchange with him when he’s horribly wrong. He’s got some distorted views on things…but he’s also dead right on some too. Hmm, much like the rest of us huh?
Just ban midnight showings of comic book movies.
My Voice: He’s NEVER wrong. Just ask him.
Uh, no. I have gotten him to see where he was and he agreed. It’s HOW you say it sometimes. I don’t attack him and it goes fine. NOW sure, he WON’T change his view if that’s the way HE sees it. Can you blame him? Are you going to tell me that someone is going to make you believe something other than just what you believe in so strongly? Really? As to not highjack this thread anymore than i already have…let’s talk about it over there. I’ll keep him in check…
Not quite sure what relevance the penis comment has. But I guess I should clear that up.
OneEyed comes from a character of one of my favorite movies, a pirate named One Eyed Willie from The Goonies. Also, my favorite dog I had growing up who had only one eye.
Lol, thanks for clearing that up. I love the goonies. 🙂
I thought alot about your Op-Ed today. I think I was quick to defend my point of view. It wasn’t fair for me to say that you will never get it. For that I apologize. Let’s face it, I’m pro gun. I believe differently than you. Fine…no problem with that. Even tho my point of view differs from yours, i think in THIS situation, you are probably right. There most likely little a CCW could have done in THIS situation. It’s one of those ugly, rare incidents where there is no explanation why it happened and most likely little that could have been done to prevent it. I’ll say this. I firmly do not believe a ban on guns could have prevented this from happening. A sign on the door saying no guns allowed would not have prevented this from happening. What would have? Not sure anything could have. This guy was obviously hell bent on killing people. If he hadn’t been able to get his hands on a gun, I believe he still would have killed people if not then, in the future. Some sort of bomb or something…who knows. All I do know is this is a horrible tragedy and my heart goes out to all that is affected.
One-Eyed…thank for the question. When we stop questioning things around us, we become sheep upon the earth. I may not see things your way, but I respect your right to your point of view.
Quite a story, or maybe a rant. People with this kind of potential are walking among us daily. One could say that this killer, was, a law abiding citizen, until. How do you stop this kind of thing from happening, short of outlawing all guns. When that happens, we become the sheep of the federal government. The federal government fears us now, because we can stand up to them. Without guns we can’t. I’m wondering if One-Eyed is Michael Bloomberg or maybe Nancy Pelosi.
“I’m wondering if One-Eyed is Michael Bloomberg or maybe Nancy Pelosi.”
Or…..maybe some guy named Peter, who just can’t honor his own word and truely stay away from NIT.
I am neither of those three.
Back in the late 80’s I was living in Az where it was legal to carry in the open, 2 times I walked in on an armed robbery and was able to stop it. I was at a sports bar with a couple friends, a city cop and a state patrol, we were watching the vikings beat the cardnals when 2 guys came in and try to rob the place. Before you know it over a dozen civillians had their weapons out pointed at these scumbags. I didn’t have mine with me because my friends picked me up in front of my church as I was coming out so I was unarmed, lesson learned.
I like this! you never actually hear about someone with a real life ‘conceal and carry’ success story. Just a lot of should of, could of, would of….
To One Eyed>>You should read law enforcement bulletin or police one magazine. many events of good people with armed rights abilities and actions. Not everyone is a walter middy
You can do all the imaginary scenes you want and fantasize anything you want to fit your personal viewpoint which is what the author has done. It does not change the reality that people have the right under our constitution to protect themselves. Another way this could have went down is a person who was trained and licensed to carry could have recognized the danger and with on shot put down the crazy person and saved eleven lives and the agony of the fifty other people. I like that thought much better.
Agreed!
This shooter made it difficult for anyone with a gun to react. There was the caustic gas of some sort that would have made seeing difficult. Also, the CC person would have had to have been lucky enough to take cover, get his weapon out, and get off an accurate head shot to take this armored shooter out. I really don’t think CC people in the theater would have been shooting at each other. Holmes had an AR15, a shotgun, and a Glock and he was walking up the steps. The first 2 don’t shoot like handguns. I think anyone else shooting at him would have been shooting from a much lower concealed position and most CC people would have been aware there might be others also trying to take out Holmes. The police entering would have been the biggest problem.
I also think they should outlaw people wearing costumes to movies. It’s a shame, but it’s time to either do that or make people go through metal detectors and lock & alarm the exit doors. I’d just plain like to see a lot less violence and sex on TV and at the movies. It’s so unnecessary in our lives.
You are right, that could have happened but the truth is it seldom does. It is much more likely that you own gun will kill a family member or a friend than it will kill an attacker. Let us be honest and truthful about it.
Do you have any sources that can back up your claim or are you just assuming?
Honestly, I would like to read these statistics.
Faye I have made delivery to several Home Depot stores in the Chicago area that have a armed guard in the power tool cage section.
the idea of the CC is self protection, not replace the police. If he comes after you, shoot, don’t go after him. I know I have no way the training or skill of a PD officer.
Very interesting thought process. First of all, I want to make it clear I don’t own so much as a cap-gun. No need for one in the way I live my life.
Nicely thought out, and I recognize exploring all thoughts would take up something a few pages short of “War and Peace” – pun intended.
One branch of thought you didn’t recognize is the preventative thoughts of bad-doers. I ask you to put yourself in the bad-actor’s shoes for a second. You’re wanting to do this mass shooting for whatever reason. But you also know you need to survive for a few minutes while you shoot. Where are you going to go to do this?
The potential audience – no pun intended – and targets would be the first thing you need to examine. Who are you wanting to hurt? Are they moving, making a harder target? Had the shooter known there is a high percentage of CC permit holders in town – perhaps in the parking lot, the lobby or the theater itself, a better, more vulnerable target area would be sought out.
But then, who in their right mind would spend three weeks booby-trapping their home, set loud music on a loop, leaving their front door unlocked, and go on a shooting spree?
Just sayin’
Having armed security guards will probably become a reality at theaters, malls, McDonalds and all the places people gather. The crazies are everywhere.
In higher populated areas I use to see armed security guards, police or deputy sheriffs in drinking establishments and populated social events. This was back in the early 70’s. My father use to pay for one to be in his place. Now I do not see any, I would guess the cost is a little high for most places.
Security guards should no longer be in uniform. They would be the first ones taken out by these kinds of idiots. Guards need to blend in under cover. I think they should have very small earwigs – no big radios – and clothing that would conceal a weapon. It will be expensive to protect ourselves, but what choice do we have?