Guns and Protests

[Rocketmedic40]

It’s an imperfect system, that’s for sure. Hopefully the family of the victim does not go after them, but that is a big if.

It’s a sad state of affairs that we should have to worry about individual nut cases, shooting up anything, but that’s the world we live in.

 

[dockmurgw]

I can say one thing with absolute confidence. If I ever lost my mind and attended an event like this and saw that security was provided by armed volunteer "Peacekeepers", I would immediately turn tail and run as fast as I could.

 

[madmikeb]

Anyone that goes anywhere near one of these "protests" is looking for trouble and deserves any they get. Fools go where angels fear to tread, or something like that. I don't know the exact quote.

 

[Doriangray6]

Anyone that goes anywhere near one of these "protests" is looking for trouble and deserves any they get. Fools go where angels fear to tread, or something like that. I don't know the exact quote.

Luckily the founders of our Republic thought differently.

 

[65-2x2]

Bottom line is always common sense. Simply do not go to a protest.

I don't agree with that. A citizen should be able to voice their disapproval of a government action that they think is wrong, and to do it as a group and in public.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

Thinking of training more on distance is funny. 50 years ago in police academy you trained with a revolver 12 of the 60 rounds at 50 yards. The next 18 rounds at 25 yards including 6 weak hand. Now everyone is shooting semi autos, said to be easier, from 25 yards and in.

This is due to progressive court rulings demanding the academy lower standards for those in need.

 

[Rocketmedic40]

Thinking of training more on distance is funny. 50 years ago in police academy you trained with a revolver 12 of the 60 rounds at 50 yards. The next 18 rounds at 25 yards including 6 weak hand. Now everyone is shooting semi autos, said to be easier, from 25 yards and in.

This is due to progressive court rulings demanding the academy lower standards for those in need.

Honestly? This old-school test seems like a reasonable one, be it a CCW or a police officer. Granted, there’s not a lot of 50-yard shooting…but it’s very plausible to have to engage an active shooter at 20 or 30 or even 50 yards, especially if one factors in incidents like the congressional baseball shooting or the Dickinson shooting where engagement started at like 27 yards or something? Accurate, controlled fire is important.

 

[Onomea]

I have no plans to attend any protests, but I agree with the sentiment that citizens ought to be able to attend protests against the government if they so wish. Seems fundamental to a free society to me.

They also have the obligation to behave peacefully. Those few that do not should be treated as the criminals they are. That's just common sense to me. I expect the authorities to maintain the distinction and I believe, by and large, that they try their best to do so.

(Where's Martin Luther King when we need him? Peaceful protest, especially if the authorities do abuse the protestors, is so much more effective in enlisting sympathy to one's cause than is vandalism and attacking law enforcement.)

While I typically carry a concealed weapon when out and about, I think that if I did elect to attend a protest, I would deliberately disarm before attending. Just too many things could go wrong when armed and in the midst of a mass protest.

 

[Goodtime Charlie]

Anyone remember the University of Texas Tower Shooting? The shooter's nest was 231 feet above ground. Not your typical active shooter scenario, but training for that kind of distance shooting would be interesting and challenging for LEOs.

University of Texas tower shooting - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

In regard to the SLC incident, I think of it as yes, the trolley scenario, plus combat zone "friendly fire" incidents. I'm sure the "guardian" in this incident did not intend to harm the person that died, but mistakes and misses happen in combat. What we as society do in response to unintentional deaths is difficult to figure out. The survivors of the victim deserve compensation, but it seems wrong to me to penalize the person that was trying to do the right thing to prevent killings. Life is hard.

 

[balin]

My state has a law about open carry at protests or within 250 feet of one and it is not allowed. I am sure some do not like it. Can't say it bothers me my. Going to protests just to aggravated others is not my thing. As an American i support peoples right to protest even when i do not agree with them. Seems that is what rights and freedoms are about to me. Others can have their own opinions. and i support those as well.

 

[biku324]

Back on topic, I went to 2 protests in my area only because of the Minnesota political assassinations - normally I am allergic to large groups of angry people. No one at either in deep red SE NM was open-carrying; I was disappointed to find no paymaster at either to cut me a participation check.

I did see lots of former students (I taught criminal justice at a large community college for about a decade) - it was fun to visit with them.

 

[Kanewpadle]

We are responsible for every bullet. Period. No excuses.

If some do gooder shot one of my loved ones, I would end them right there.

 

[Goodtime Charlie]

We are responsible for every bullet. Period. No excuses.

If some do gooder shot one of my loved ones, I would end them right there.

In Vietnam, US military jets accidentally dropped napalm on US troops...what should have been done about that? Execute the pilots?

 

[Kanewpadle]

In Vietnam, US military jets accidentally dropped napalm on US troops...what should have been done about that? Execute the pilots?

Not even close to being a good comparison.

 

[Rocketmedic40]

Not even close to being a good comparison.

So, let the mass shooter shoot? Weird call, but everyone gets an opportunity, right?

 

[Kanewpadle]

So, let the mass shooter shoot? Weird call, but everyone gets an opportunity, right?

You should know this. But you’re too busy trying to prove a point which in itself is stupid.

I’m only responsible for myself and my loved ones. Everyone else is responsible for taking care of themselves. If they are not prepared to do so. That’s on them.

If you want to be a hero to everyone, do so. There are plenty of dead wannabe hero’s that made the wrong decision.

 

[65-2x2]

Anyone remember the University of Texas Tower Shooting? The shooter's nest was 231 feet above ground. Not your typical active shooter scenario, but training for that kind of distance shooting would be interesting and challenging for LEOs.

University of Texas tower shooting - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

In regard to the SLC incident, I think of it as yes, the trolley scenario, plus combat zone "friendly fire" incidents. I'm sure the "guardian" in this incident did not intend to harm the person that died, but mistakes and misses happen in combat. What we as society do in response to unintentional deaths is difficult to figure out. The survivors of the victim deserve compensation, but it seems wrong to me to penalize the person that was trying to do the right thing to prevent killings. Life is hard.

That is the first mass shooter incident that I remember.

 

[65-2x2]

I think that a lot of people need to remember that, at the beginning or our nation, some folks, who were hacked at the king's policies, put on disguises and in violation of the law, and at risk of their own lives, threw his damn tea in the harbor. Those folks deserved a country; it is a fine legacy.

 

[Shibadog]

Definitely a very fair choice, and I think it’s one that those people are going to have to wrestle with for a long time. It’s the ultimate no win scenario, especially if your friends and family are in that crowd. Not exclusive to protest either – for example, a shooting at a theater or a store could open the exact same can of worms.

With the exception that a “protest” by its very nature means angry people are there, and given the state of protests for the last 60 yrs there’s a very good chance the SWHTF….

 

[Shibadog]

Honestly? This old-school test seems like a reasonable one, be it a CCW or a police officer. Granted, there’s not a lot of 50-yard shooting…but it’s very plausible to have to engage an active shooter at 20 or 30 or even 50 yards, especially if one factors in incidents like the congressional baseball shooting or the Dickinson shooting where engagement started at like 27 yards or something? Accurate, controlled fire is important.

And if you can hit at 50 you darn sure can at 10-the reverse is NOT true..