Gun Control

I am against any gun control whatsoever. 

This is a country of 300,000,000+ guns.  The horse is out of the barn. 

If you want to be safer I suggest arming yourself and learning how to shoot well.  I didn't make the rules, but there are apparently plenty of people who are sick enough to use a gun in an unprovoked attack.  You can hide and hope for the best if you find yourself in that situation, or be prepared to defend yourself. I'm not hoping for help.   Dozens of Police officers were outside of the Pulse nightclub while that idiot shot 100 people as they hid (don't get me started on that).  No thanks.

I don't like to offer that advice.......but we are where we are.

The Police engaged the gunman outside the club where a gunfight ensued.  Two people were killed outside and the gunman then went into the night club.  At that point there were a half dozen police cars visible on the video.  The gunman went into the club and shot 100 people.....he was never engaged by the Police in the club.  I don't know their reasoning and I wasn't there. (I hope they have a good reason for not attacking sooner) But I know this..... since Columbine, where the Police waited for a SWAT unit to arrive while people were being killed, Police agencies in this country train only one way for an active shooter event........and that is to attack and try to prevent more killing.  It is unarguable that the gunman walked around that club for quite a while shooting people, unopposed....there is video of it.

That being said, my point is a simple one. (and doesn't include second guessing the Police response in this case)  You may be completely on your own trying to survive a mass shooting incident.  Do you want to hide and pray for help or have the ability to fight?  I don't want to die hiding.

You will have to make a personal choice on when and where you will carry a gun and how proficient you want to be with it.  Your safety is ultimately your responsibility.  Again, my point is that the only way you can be sure to be able to defend yourself is with a weapon of your own.  I have been allowed and encouraged to wear a gun at all times for the last 30 years.  I didn't for 25 of them.  Not anymore.  There are just too many crazy people with guns now and no way to get them back.  Again, I didn't make the rules......but I'm not willing to be a victim if I can help it.

The thing is.....every time one of these incidents happen gun sales INCREASE exponentially.  All this talk about reeling gun sales in and it has the opposite effect.

If you want to know how many are first time buyers go to your local gun range this weekend and see for yourself.  You will likely be astonished at how crowded it is with people who you would not associate with gun ownership. 

But yeah, others are stocking up on guns and ammo.....because they can.

It doesn't matter.....pay attention....there are over 300,000,000 guns in this country.....and probably approaching 400,000,000.  It is very easy for bad guys to get a gun these days ( thousands get stolen each week out of unlocked cars nationwide).  The chance of running into someone with a gun meaning to harm you has risen substantially in the last 5-10 years.  You're not going to walk that back any time soon.

No it doesn't.  We train to attack in active shooter situations.  In fact, even the training to schools has changed from hide or "shelter in place" to fighting back.

I don't ever look at things that way......and quite a bit of training (and certainly the training we use) is now centered around not being a hero.,.....but a survivor.  The idea is a simple one.  When all options like running are gone (hiding MAY be a good option, maybe not) and you are now faced with someone who is actively shooting people around you.....YOU'RE NEXT!

In the mass shooting in my city 7 people were killed.  4 of them were hiding or crawling away after the initial 3 were killed.  The main target, the city attorney, got up and started throwing chairs at the shooter.  He gained himself enough time for our officers to get in there and kill the bad guy.  He told me afterwards, when I was interviewing him and others who had been in the council chamber, that he just decided he was not going to lay there and die.  He survived. (the officer who was assigned to guard the council chambers was killed first)

I understand that every situation is different but, you should in no way discount fighting back by any means possible.  it has nothing to do with being a hero.....it's all about living.

CRAP   CRAP    CRAP!

This is the second time TODAY that I've (reluctantly) agreed with you. 

Run-Hide-Fight.  Do something, do ANYTHING...but do it with aggression and rage.

(I may have just thrown up a bit in my mouth. lol)

Run-Hide-Agree