This is a great article. Written in May of 2010. Take a second and read:

http://www.policeone.com/active-shoo...emy-is-denial/

It is very hard to argue with this guys logic. Just simple training for all the teachers and office staff.

Darren

I wasn't going to turn this into a gun control discussion just due to the fact that children were killed and it makes me feel selfish to add but I can't sit here without saying something. I am not trying to take away from what happened. I do not know the circumstances that lead to the killings, I do not know how this killer got his hands on these firewarms when they should be locked up by the owner, but here is how I feel.

I don't know why people keep screaming gun control after a shooting. Actually I do know why I just don't know why people forget a few weeks later. Most weapons used in these mass killings or any crimes against humanities are stolen or obtained illegally. Gun control does nothing to control illegal activity. A president was killed, a senator was shot in the head, and nothing was done about it. The cry for gun control gets loud then gets silenced by high gas prices or another media storm. I do believe something should be done but lets look deeper.

I believe we should be looking at our societies Medical and educational situation. Also our own tendency towards violence. Look back in history at how we have introduced our own children to violence. Violent cartoons of the 30's, Cowboy's / Indians place sets, GI Joe's, Whack a mole, Mortal Combat, Call of Duty and so on.....I once thought that it would not affect a persons behavior but after seeing how my younger family members and other children behave I can't help but wonder what it does to a 10 year olds moral compass. I don't think desensitizing a child to death, killing and looking into an enemy soldiers eyes as the life leaves his body is a positive thing.

I will admit, I don't have the answers but gun control is not the answer. What shall we do, confiscate every gun ever made? Stop industries from making more?
Laws can't get strickter... Lets look at the rules that I abide to.
If I am a felon or have a metal disorder, I cannot own a firearm.
I have to pass a test, FBI background check and carry a gun card.
My guns that were purchased are registered with the government
guns are to be locked up in an approved safe when at home.
guns in transit are to be locked up.
guns outside are not to be exposed and in a locked case.
I cannot travel within 1000 yards of a school while carrying.
Cannot have ammo chambered unless I am at a gun range.

I have several guns in my locked safe, carry one daily in a locked case and I have never had the thought of using it to kill anything not threatening my livelihood or family. Its is not a weapon CACHE, its a collection.

The question came up earlier...."why have a military type weapon?"
They are not a military weapons, these are civilian sporting guns and a gun is a gun no matter what configuration. Its funny, I have had a Remington hunting rifle for years and I bought and installed a black synthetic stock. I go the the range the next week and its automaticly looked at as an assult rifle.

Again, I agree this was a tragic event and it has effected us all. I have a 17 month old and I would do what ever I had to do to keep him safe but you just never know what is going to happen, all we can do is prevent and prepare.

I agree with you but where does it end?

The whole round count argument means nothing. The argument should be keeping the criminals and metally damaged from doing what they do. And how do we stop creating more criminals?

The round count argument is like saying "street racing is killing people so we will limit car engines to 4 cylinders". No matter how many cylinders you have the criminals will continue to use 4 or 8. Laws only stop the law abiding.

This is my friends family-

Six-year-old Jessica Rekos was hoping to get cowgirl boots and a cowgirl hat for Christmas. Now her family is left mourning the loss of her young life.


"Jessica loved everything about horses. She devoted her free time to watching horse movies, reading horse books, drawing horses, and writing stories about horses. We had promised her she could have her very own horse when she turned 10. She asked Santa for new cowgirl boots and a cowgirl hat. She was a creative, beautiful little girl who loved playing with her little brothers, Travis and Shane. She spent time writing in her journals, making up stories, and doing "research" on orca whales – one of her passions after seeing the movie Free Willy last year. She said her dream was to see a real orca. Thankfully her dream was realized in October when she went to SeaWorld.

Jessica was our first born. She started our family, and she was our rock. She had an answer for everything, she didn't miss a trick, and she outsmarted us every time. We called her our little CEO for the way she carefully thought out and planned everything. We can not imagine our life without her. We are mourning her loss, sharing our beautiful memories we have of her, and trying to help her brother Travis understand why he can't play with his best friend. We are devastated, and our hearts are with the other families who are grieving as we are."

breaks my heart nick, I broke down when I first saw the news....a young couple just learned his child was killed....the husband just dropped to his knees. I will never forget this.

I just read that Diane Feinstein wants to introduce legislation regarding "guns or multi shot magazines" etc.


I wrote to her office - even though I do not live in California - to suggest that rather than "grandstanding" -- why doesn't she work on a bill to have an armed guard at EVERY ENTRANCE to schools? In other words -- rather than just passing another useless law -- why not work to pass a law that might actually do some good?

Making laws against criminals never seems to work real well... Prohibition? Yeah that worked well.... or maybe the drug laws? That's working great for the Mexican cartels... hasn't seemed to stop the flow of drugs yet though. Last time I checked there's laws against robbing banks... I also seem to read about one daily.

The biggest thing that bothers me about all these school and mass shootings is the reaction of the victims. No one fights back. I'm not expecting anyone to be a hero or know the proper way to take out someone with an assault rifle, but cowering in the corner like a sheep is not acceptable. Unfortunately, I feel people in this country have been indoctrinated to believe that government, be it a police officer or a "bold" Congressman enacting some legislation, will protect them from all that is evil. That the acceptable response when faced with danger is to do nothing but wait for the "professional" or the protector to save the day and your life. I believe punishing the victim of bullying that finally stands up to their bully to the same extent as the bully is mindless and wrong. Defending yourself should not be left to the "professionals" or the police. Teaching people that is wrong. Punishing a person for defending themselves is even worse. Thinking that evil doesn't exist or that when confronted with someone determined to harm or kill you that talking it out, as if there's simply some misunderstanding, is a proper response is foolish and leads to more deaths. Your life is your own and no one else's. It's the one thing you cannot lose. Why would you not fight for it? You certainly should never feel bad about defending it. You should soundly reject any idea or belief that says you should leave it completely in the hands of another person or group of people that swear benevolence and a rapid response time.

As I sit here watching the Raider game, reading this, I remember seeing armed Oakland police officers and armed Deputy's (of which I have direct family of and at) at all the games. And these games are "R" rated (don't go anymore due to this reason). And these are sports events. I think schools are WAY MORE important to protect. The innocence and vulnerability of the children. When evil and mental health cross "pollinate" we have this.

They were his moms guns, and they led to her demise as well. I remember seeing them handcuff and haul away the brother for questioning, he looked lost. After all, he just lost his mom and brother (although his brother must of been gone long ago to do this).

Unfortunately, I seriously doubt legal action will change anything, just watch tv or the video games or the news.....it goes on and on. I like what Todd said about mentoring the fatherless, it does help. Think of all of the "could of beens" if we didn't have mentors, pastors, counselers, coaches etc....

Trey, from what I've heard, the principal was lunging toward him when he shot her up. Hopefully that's the truth, I do believe heroism still exists, flight 95 ( if what was reported was true)

The principal of the school ran at the gunman and tried to disarm him. She was shot and killed. She and the other teachers and staff of that school risked their lives to save the chilren put in their care. Six female (no male) staff at the school were killed, several while trying to stop the gunman. Those women were heros in the truest sense of the word.

The principal and counselor met the gunman near the lobby. They tried to stop him. At teacher hid her class and confronted the gunman telling him they were in the gym. The students in that class lived. The Principal, Gunman, and Teacher were killed.

These people did fight back with what they knew how to.......

I think when it all comes out you will find that the police arrived faster than the gunman expected. He had hundreds of unspent rounds (and spent ones) according to the last press conference. He ended his life with a handgun he had no intentions of getting out alive. I would like to think the secretary (that denied him entry) the principle, and counselor and teacher that slowed him down contributed to giving the police enough time to arrive before he went to many more rooms.

Trey, I understand where you are going and I do agree that people need to take ownership of their lives. However, expecting women and children to defend themself against an AR15 is extremely unrealistic. I don't think it's fair to second guess the victims in such an extreme situation.

My wife is a Kindergarten teacher and I have twin 8 year old daughters. Anytime I see an article or see a news story regarding this horrible tragedy, it makes me want to cry then I quickly become enraged. The loss of precious life makes me want to cry and the way the media and uniformed people react enrage me. I really like the comment of many in this thread. Todd and Greg specifically make a lot of sense.

I know for fact that around here inner city and "high risk" schools have multiple armed guards and metal detectors in use to protect students and faculty from other students. Why can't we have an armed guard at each entrance to every school? My taxes get raised everytime someone wants to implement a new math program or reading program that is the latest greatest thing or just because they got free lunch from a sales rep. I would gladly help fund actually keeping my children and wife safe.

Every American should go out and take a gun safety course and get a concealed carry permit. Then actually carry. Just like criminals will skip over a house with an alarm, they would think twice wondering if their next victim is strapped. This may not be the answer to the mentally ill, but at least you will have a better chance to defend yourself and others. Another point is let people know you carry. People will be more receptive knowing that it is "OK" to do it. I'm not saying go around brandishing your weapon. But when conversations like this come up. Speak up, and educate people. I have had a concealed permit since I was 21.

I also agree with the comments regarding these new extremely violent video games. To me there is a big difference between this and "violent" looney tunes cartoons of my childhood. That was all done in a manner that made it clear it was make believe and didn't sensationalize real world violence. I played cowboys and indians, paintball, GI Joes, and so on and have never even had the notion to shoot another human. Knowing right and wrong is the key here. It is up to the parents to teach this. You have to be involved with your kids and be a parent, NOT a friend. My parents were strict with me and I like to think that has helped me be a good parent. My Dad and I spend a lot of time together. Today as an adult he is my best friend. When I hear these people today say they don't want to drive their kids away by being too strict, it's hogwash. Do whats right and so will your kids. I could go on and on.

Things need to change with our society. Do your part! :cheers:

Friday, December 14, 2012Thinking the Unthinkable

Michael holding a butterfly
In the wake of another horrific national tragedy, it’s easy to talk about guns. But it’s time to talk about mental illness.

Three days before 20 year-old Adam Lanza killed his mother, then opened fire on a classroom full of Connecticut kindergartners, my 13-year old son Michael (name changed) missed his bus because he was wearing the wrong color pants.



“I can wear these pants,” he said, his tone increasingly belligerent, the black-hole pupils of his eyes swallowing the blue irises.


“They are navy blue,” I told him. “Your school’s dress code says black or khaki pants only.”


“They told me I could wear these,” he insisted. “You’re a stupid bitch. I can wear whatever pants I want to. This is America. I have rights!”


“You can’t wear whatever pants you want to,” I said, my tone affable, reasonable. “And you definitely cannot call me a stupid bitch. You’re grounded from electronics for the rest of the day. Now get in the car, and I will take you to school.”


I live with a son who is mentally ill. I love my son. But he terrifies me.


A few weeks ago, Michael pulled a knife and threatened to kill me and then himself after I asked him to return his overdue library books. His 7 and 9 year old siblings knew the safety plan—they ran to the car and locked the doors before I even asked them to. I managed to get the knife from Michael, then methodically collected all the sharp objects in the house into a single Tupperware container that now travels with me. Through it all, he continued to scream insults at me and threaten to kill or hurt me.


That conflict ended with three burly police officers and a paramedic wrestling my son onto a gurney for an expensive ambulance ride to the local emergency room. The mental hospital didn’t have any beds that day, and Michael calmed down nicely in the ER, so they sent us home with a prescription for Zyprexa and a follow-up visit with a local pediatric psychiatrist.


We still don’t know what’s wrong with Michael. Autism spectrum, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant or Intermittent Explosive Disorder have all been tossed around at various meetings with probation officers and social workers and counselors and teachers and school administrators. He’s been on a slew of antipsychotic and mood altering pharmaceuticals, a Russian novel of behavioral plans. Nothing seems to work.


At the start of seventh grade, Michael was accepted to an accelerated program for highly gifted math and science students. His IQ is off the charts. When he’s in a good mood, he will gladly bend your ear on subjects ranging from Greek mythology to the differences between Einsteinian and Newtonian physics to Doctor Who. He’s in a good mood most of the time. But when he’s not, watch out. And it’s impossible to predict what will set him off.


Several weeks into his new junior high school, Michael began exhibiting increasingly odd and threatening behaviors at school. We decided to transfer him to the district’s most restrictive behavioral program, a contained school environment where children who can’t function in normal classrooms can access their right to free public babysitting from 7:30-1:50 Monday through Friday until they turn 18.


The morning of the pants incident, Michael continued to argue with me on the drive. He would occasionally apologize and seem remorseful. Right before we turned into his school parking lot, he said, “Look, Mom, I’m really sorry. Can I have video games back today?”


“No way,” I told him. “You cannot act the way you acted this morning and think you can get your electronic privileges back that quickly.”


His face turned cold, and his eyes were full of calculated rage. “Then I’m going to kill myself,” he said. “I’m going to jump out of this car right now and kill myself.”


That was it. After the knife incident, I told him that if he ever said those words again, I would take him straight to the mental hospital, no ifs, ands, or buts. I did not respond, except to pull the car into the opposite lane, turning left instead of right.


“Where are you taking me?” he said, suddenly worried. “Where are we going?”


“You know where we are going,” I replied.


“No! You can’t do that to me! You’re sending me to hell! You’re sending me straight to hell!”


I pulled up in front of the hospital, frantically waiving for one of the clinicians who happened to be standing outside. “Call the police,” I said. “Hurry.”


Michael was in a full-blown fit by then, screaming and hitting. I hugged him close so he couldn’t escape from the car. He bit me several times and repeatedly jabbed his elbows into my rib cage. I’m still stronger than he is, but I won’t be for much longer.


The police came quickly and carried my son screaming and kicking into the bowels of the hospital. I started to shake, and tears filled my eyes as I filled out the paperwork—“Were there any difficulties with....at what age did your child....were there any problems with...has your child ever experienced...does your child have....”


At least we have health insurance now. I recently accepted a position with a local college, giving up my freelance career because when you have a kid like this, you need benefits. You’ll do anything for benefits. No individual insurance plan will cover this kind of thing.


For days, my son insisted that I was lying—that I made the whole thing up so that I could get rid of him. The first day, when I called to check up on him, he said, “I hate you. And I’m going to get my revenge as soon as I get out of here.”


By day three, he was my calm, sweet boy again, all apologies and promises to get better. I’ve heard those promises for years. I don’t believe them anymore.


On the intake form, under the question, “What are your expectations for treatment?” I wrote, “I need help.”


And I do. This problem is too big for me to handle on my own. Sometimes there are no good options. So you just pray for grace and trust that in hindsight, it will all make sense.


I am sharing this story because I am Adam Lanza’s mother. I am Dylan Klebold’s and Eric Harris’s mother. I am James Holmes’s mother. I am Jared Loughner’s mother. I am Seung-Hui Cho’s mother. And these boys—and their mothers—need help. In the wake of another horrific national tragedy, it’s easy to talk about guns. But it’s time to talk about mental illness.


According to Mother Jones, since 1982, 61 mass murders involving firearms have occurred throughout the country. (http://www.motherjones.com/politics/...shootings-map). Of these, 43 of the killers were white males, and only one was a woman. Mother Jones focused on whether the killers obtained their guns legally (most did). But this highly visible sign of mental illness should lead us to consider how many people in the U.S. live in fear, like I do.


When I asked my son’s social worker about my options, he said that the only thing I could do was to get Michael charged with a crime. “If he’s back in the system, they’ll create a paper trail,” he said. “That’s the only way you’re ever going to get anything done. No one will pay attention to you unless you’ve got charges.”


I don’t believe my son belongs in jail. The chaotic environment exacerbates Michael’s sensitivity to sensory stimuli and doesn’t deal with the underlying pathology. But it seems like the United States is using prison as the solution of choice for mentally ill people. According to Human Rights Watch, the number of mentally ill inmates in U.S. prisons quadrupled from 2000 to 2006, and it continues to rise—in fact, the rate of inmate mental illness is five times greater (56 percent) than in the non-incarcerated population. (http://www.hrw.org/news/2006/09/05/u...ons-quadrupled)


With state-run treatment centers and hospitals shuttered, prison is now the last resort for the mentally ill—Rikers Island, the LA County Jail, and Cook County Jail in Illinois housed the nation’s largest treatment centers in 2011 (http://www.npr.org/2011/09/04/140167...-ill-prisoners)


No one wants to send a 13-year old genius who loves Harry Potter and his snuggle animal collection to jail. But our society, with its stigma on mental illness and its broken healthcare system, does not provide us with other options. Then another tortured soul shoots up a fast food restaurant. A mall. A kindergarten classroom. And we wring our hands and say, “Something must be done.”


I agree that something must be done. It’s time for a meaningful, nation-wide conversation about mental health. That’s the only way our nation can ever truly heal.


God help me. God help Michael. God help us all.
Anarchist Soccer Mom at 10:07 PM

It boils down to training, train the teachers and office staff for response in this type of situation.

"Police officers must train and drill with teachers, not only so responding officers are intimately familiar with the facilities, but so that teachers know what they can do in the event of an attack."


"If the school administrators at Columbine had spent a fraction of the money they’d spent preparing for fire — if the teachers there had spent a fraction of the time they spent preparing for fire — doing lockdown drills and talking with local law enforcers about the violent dangers they face, the outcome that day may have been different."

This is probably a good starting point at any school.

Darren

I was referring to all of the shootings that have occurred not just this one. I'm glad to hear people fought back in this instance. I've been avoiding it simply because I'm tired of reading about crap like this so I don't know much beyond what's in headlines. However, if you read about the Virginia shootings and Columbine you'll find the same thing, most people did nothing to fight back. Those were college students. Columbine was teenagers. I certainly wouldn't expect the children in this instance to put up a fight. They were much too young. Too many instances in which people do nothing to defend themselves, I believe, points to a break down in a belief system. I believe that system has created a society that's subdued in the face of life threatening danger because it's been taught to believe someone else will save you or, worse, that defending yourself is wrong. That's what I was saying. Maybe I wrote it more concisely this time.

Who is to say they didn't fight back or try Trey? Most of the witnesses are most likely dead. It would take co ordination and good training to take a weapon from an unstable person.
The first thing they tell you in an armed situation is to stay calm and quiet or try to reason if confronted. Hero's get killed or get others in real life.
These are common citizens, teachers, librarians not hardened combat tested warriors. Most will panic at the sight of a gun.

Instead of armed guards and solidiers posted infront of schools they should have secret security like we do on planes. The possibility of an armed US marshal on your plane will usually deter violent action. Locking down the school at the first sign of a bad situation may have saved more lives.

Trey ---

I think that's why many here are calling for more "hardening" of these soft targets. Schools and malls and theaters (to name the most recent soft spots) are easy targets for attackers... simply because they're assured that nobody is going to fight back.

I'm not sure if staffing every school door with an armed guard would end all school attacks - but it would probably help. My sense is though - that the attack would simply occur somewhere else. I just find it hard to believe in my heart of hearts that we can protect everyone everywhere with more laws and more guns. Should we have an armed guard on every bus? At every mall entrance - at every movie entrance...

I spent 4 hours at a class on Saturday - watching video of various scenarios of armed robbery etc -- and I can tell you that even if there was an armed guard on station - most of the time he would not have been able to have a clean shot without being a perfect marksman. There's so much movement - the attacker already has a gun - he's not a sitting duck - and there's so many other people "around". It's easy to "think" you'd just draw and fire - but that's just not reality. One round misses and goes through the wall into a classroom and then what?

You know people still choose to rob armored cars? Go figure...

I did too, I was beat down often by an alcoholic father. Tough love.

I like to believe I and you are the lucky ones that made it out unscathed but what about the 10% that don't. Different people react to negative inputs. All it takes is a moment of weakness and what one does with that feeling.

Making the school system turn into a prison will be a hard sell. You know how bean counters look at life. The look at percentages not what ifs.

In the class I took on Saturday -- we discussed the "Nike defense" -- as in -- even if you're armed -- run -- The "preclusion rule" says to stay out of the fight if at all possible.

Of course - we weren't discussing a shooting at a school and nobody in their right mind wouldn't try to prevent that "somehow".

That's exactly why I think people need to have it instilled in them that their life is in their hands and fighting for it is perfectly fine. Otherwise, we're headed for a police state that won't be any safer.

Correct, back down, take cover, regroup and assess the risk. Hate to shoot a potential hero with a legal conceal carry license or an off duty.

Again, I'm not referring to this instance explicitly. Reasoning with a person who clearly has massacre on their mind, as evidenced by these random attackers just simply starting to shoot people as compared to using a gun as a tool to have power over you to rob you, went out the window when the gun started firing. You're no longer being reasonable to believe you can reason with that person.

Flight 93 is a perfect example of the point I'm trying to make. Those people knew they were probably going to die regardless of whatever the terrorist told them, which I have no idea what they were told. Instead of sitting there with the attitude of someone will save us, they got up and did something. Maybe they would have been triumphant. Maybe they would have all died no matter what they did. The difference is they tried and fought for the one thing they could not lose. I don't see the whole of society having that same attitude and I think it's actually being discouraged and punished in many respects. I believe that's wrong.

The major difference I see is that an Elementary school is a sitting duck in our society. 600 kids, 60-100 staff(mostly women) that have absolutely 0 protection. One of these maniacs could really have a field day well beyond what happened on Friday.

In a mall setting, movie theatre, and most public places, there is a reasonable chance of a citizen carrying, an off duty police officer, security guard close,etc..

You can't prevent them all and they will find a place, our schools just can't be an option without some type of lethal force in place.

Sure, its easy to plan and say how we would react in a deadly situation is but the honest truth is, how we react and how we should have reacted are two different things. People freeze, become confussed by either the comotion, just fear stricken or are just in pure denile of what is going on before them.

The flight 93 example you state is valid but think of it this way. How do we really know what happened. We are given ideas of that situation from what the government wants us to believe by a black box and a few cell phones that recorded sounds. Again spoon fed to us by the media. Unfortunately the true witnesses are no longer alive. For all we know maybe the plane would not have crashed or the military shot it down considering its flight path. No one will ever know how people reacted in a grave situation. I would love to believe they acted heroically but I can't be certain. No one can.

Im not saying I am right or you are wrong, im just saying think of all options and people especially in groups do not react well or co ordinated. Is there such thing as dying well.

No, I don't believe there is such a thing as dying well in a situation like this.

You're correct that we don't know what happened completely in any of these situations. I'm just making general observations based on what I've learned. My comments are on the trends seen in these terrible situations which I believe are a symptom of a failed belief system. Maybe my reactions and beliefs are different than all those involved. I'm just tired of hearing about these tragedies. I truly believe the best way to counter them is to instill in people the belief that they must make sure they do everything they can to preserve their life, and that fighting for your life is better than not even if the outcome is the same. I'm more angry than sad in response to these tragedies.

A side note to this is the Holocaust. Millions of people where systematically exterminated over the course of years. They lined up peacefully and obediently went to their deaths. Why did they not fight back? Sure, the Nazis had the guns. There were way more Jews and other prisoners in the camps than guards though. They could have done more than go quietly to their deaths. The fact that they didn't boggles my mind. I see similar responses or lack there of in these current events.

AMEN!! And to elaborate even more, I'd say that even "if" these ladies were hiding in a corner, they are STILL heroes to me...they took the bullets from the nutjob.

Typing this as I watch the game tonight and a commercial for the game "Hitman-Absolution" comes on...... A HUGE problem with the younger generation IMO. Total and complete "numbness" for life and even reality for that matter. Is it "the" problem, no but it is a big part of the pie I think. "THE" problem is that the moral compass of society has lost it's magnetism..... We are a "feel good" society and there isn't much of an absolute right and wrong on a lot of things, which just adds to the problem.

I don't know the answer but something has to change. Same day, 47 guns, and a man that threatened to kill as many people as he could at an elementary school in northern Indiana. See the link. http://news.yahoo.com/ind-man-47-gun...164928349.html

Vince,

I'm sorry to hear about your situation, but glad you came out of it a better person. Mine however was not the same. What I meant was my parents were strict in that they told me what was right and wrong in their view and were unwavering in that position. Unlike what I see alot of today, when parents are acting more like friends and equals to their kids. As soon as the child has an issue in school for example, the teacher is automatically a problem and has it in for the child. When I got a bad report from school, I was in for it. However, my parents never struck me other than a bare hand to the bottom here and there. My Dad was a carpenter. He made a nice 3/4" plywood paddle and painted it up with my name on it. I was never struck with that paddle, but I knew when I saw it I messed up. Just the thought of being spanked with it was enough. Today, that would be considered abuse. I don't get it. There are folks around our area that have parties for teens with alcohol. They make the statement that they are going to do it anyway, they might as well know where they are and make sure they are safe. Really? To me there's a time to be a parent and a time to be a friend. Others allow teenage girls to have sleepover parties that include guys. Really? WTF To me, this is setting up generations of poor decisions. Some of this should be common sense.

There will always be mental illness and that is the tough problem to figure out. But to me the rest is about teaching children good principles and values as well as basic right and wrong. It's like anything else, proper knowledge and education helps you handle those negative inputs properly.

I can only hope that my wife and I are half the parents mine have been to me. If we are, I am confident we will have a fighting chance with our daughters as they grow up.

I also agree about making schools resemble prison security, but it might be necessary if only in the short term.

Just as a quick note as well. My wife is the homeroom Mom for my daughters 3rd grade class. This week is their class Christmas party. She just got an email from teacher outlining all the new procedures they will have to follow to be permitted in the school. So at least our district is taking these events to heart. She did say it was tough putting them on the bus this morning.

As a former Marine NBC Warfare officer I appreciate the thoughts! :)

I responded to the other thread, "Suggestions for a home defense weapon" about the same time this event was hitting the news Friday. I will be quite candid and say that when I am out in public I scan everyone, I sit in restaurants so that I can see all those around me, and I feel I have become so used to it that it is affecting my quality of life.
I own a Sig P226, a Baretta FS92, a Colt AR15, and a few other weapons. These are the ones I mastered in the Marines, I am completely comfortable using them and pretty damn proficient with them.
That said I wish I never felt the need for them. I wish I never had to worry about being confronted by another with a gun. I wish I could feel the police would be there to protect my family. I hope I never witness carnage here like what is found on a battlefield, ever. The reality is, though, there is a chance that I will need to draw against someone as a civilian. A small chance, but a chance enough to make me carry (which I hate doing).
This country doesn't have a gun problem, we have a spiritual decay problem that has been going on for decades. The decimation of families, abortions (not starting a fight, just pointing out how cheap life has become), the dumbing-down of education, the hollowness that comes with celebrity worship, and the focus on exterior appearances have all contributed to the decay. Hollywood has a fixation on the young, the people with the least life experience and therefore the least wisdom. Even the music industry is affected, imagine the stars of the 60' & 70's being put through the "image-conscience, camera-friendly" world of todays music industry.
There is no depth in our society today, no wisdom espoused to a greater audience, no appreciation for (or knowledge of) our history and that of the world. I'm a 100% capitalist but our rampant consumerism has pushed artisans and craftsmen to the side, so little we make is of value anymore.
We have "9-11 truthers" and other people so gullible it's beyond my comprehension.
I look at my boys, 16 & 18, and I weep at the thought of the world they may end up living in. I've taught them what they need to be self-sufficient, to protect themselves, and taught them the lessons of history. I hope it serves them well when I'm not around any longer.
I also weep when I see this sort of event unfold. I avoid watching the news reporters and all their "experts" trying to "understand" what has happened, as if they could, while making the nutcase a celebrity in the process.
To be honest, I also feel an enormous amount of frustration when something like this happens and there is nobody like myself there to intervene. I have begun carrying in those "gun-free" zones as it seems this is where the shootings are most likely going to happen. Nothing is more tempting to a coward than not being a target himself.
Should I ever be present when one of these horror-events happen I will make certain that the tax-dollars spent to train me will not have been spent in vain. I'm not itching to start a fire-fight but have no problem finishing one. In the mean-time I will continue to train those in my life on how to protect themselves and others should they ever need too.
May God bless the vicitims of this, and other shootings, and may God have mercy on us all...

I've been thinking similar thoughts with regards to these shootings. Looking back at this horrific incident, the movie theater shooting earlier this year, and then all of the strange college campus killings we've had over the last 5 years and the common demoniator is age. You don't find any 65 year old people commiting these murders, but rather young men, sub 30, typically acting alone. The Columbine shootings were ony different in that there were two young men acting out what they may have seen thousands of times on screen. Americans are becoming numb to these types of concepts at an accelerating rate. Our society injects it forcefully into our youth without much restraint. In the 50s it may have been a cap gun for a 7 year old's birthday, but today it's Black Ops on Xbox which leaves little to the imagination with regards to death. Militaries of the 21st century thrive on these types of electronic scenarios to remove the emotion from war. Drone pilots can reduce a village to dust, then step outside to take a smoke break. I live next to one and it's a weird conversation around the BBQ.

For 99.999% of us these themes are a controlable, non-issue. For folks who can't process life within it's normal boundaries, this becomes a lit fuse. It's a tragic reality we all live with and there's no going back on it now. I don't know what the answer may be but I'm sure it's gotta strat with education and parenting.

Just saw this in the paper regarding the Morgan Freeman "rant"....


Many people -- including celebrities -- have spoken out on the horrific tragedy that struck Newtown, Conn., on Friday, when a 20-year-old gunman opened fire and killed 26 people, including 20 children, at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
However, Morgan Freeman is not one of those people. The actor has not released a comment on the incident that took place a few days ago, despite numerous stories reporting otherwise.



The lengthy quote attributed to Freeman is indeed a hoax.

I read that too Greg. It's still a good read

Here's something the NATIONAL NEWS didn't carry regarding the recent shooting at the Portland Oregon area mall....

TOTALLY AGREE!

RIP Jessica
 

Just received this email from the school our kids attend:

Dear Briggs Parents,

Our hearts go out to the families and community of Newtown, Connecticut. Any news like this is deeply saddening, and an event of this magnitude is especially horrifying.

We know that at a time like this, many parents want to know about the school safety and security measures we have in place.

• Safety training & planning: The Springfield School District has an emergency procedure plan that schools practice regularly. We train staff to handle the demands of emergencies, and all schools drill regularly for emergency responses for lockdowns, earthquakes, evacuations and more. Staff and students handle emergencies well when they have practiced what to do.

• Strong relationship with police: Through the School Resource Officers program, we have two police officers working full-time in our schools. Additional patrol officers can respond very quickly to a emergency situation. The school district and Springfield Police work together on all areas of emergency response, including making the best decisions together for student safety.

• Fast, clear communications: During an emergency, the district works with police and school staff to get accurate information about the situation and share it with parents as quickly as possible. We use email, cell phones, websites and other communication to notify parents, students and media with prompt and accurate information. It is critical that parents provide the school with complete and accurate contact information, so we can reach you if there is ever an emergency.

• Continuous improvement: While safety measures already are in place in our schools, we are committed to continuing to find ways to improve. The district is conducting safety assessments at every school, thoroughly reviewing physical security measures and safety procedures to ensure that our school buildings are as safe and secure as we can make them.

Our thoughts are with the families who lives have been forever changed by this devastating event. We know it may have an impact on your family as well. You may find helpful the following suggestions for talking with your children about this tragedy.

-------------------------------

My query back to the school:

Thanks for the info. Hopefully these officers are armed and proficient. In my opinion (and the FBI’s profilers) Gun Free Zones are soft and desirable targets. Due to the saturation of weapons in the US in the interim of any form of effective gun control you can only fight fire with fire as these offenders are not going to comply to gun control laws. A fact in most shooter events is - when seconds count the police are only minutes away.

While it may seem like a "crazy" idea --- I wonder if it's not time to seek volunteers at all schools to be "safety officers"... and where at least two classrooms in the school have a safe with various items capable of stopping an attack. With the volunteer teachers/staff receiving very serious training and receiving extra pay etc for this "service".

These safes would have auto dialing to local precinct - so that all one had to do was to open the safe to alert authorities of an attack.

Those classrooms should be monitored with cameras and that classroom should also be able to have a camera view of the entire school room by room and hallways etc. So that the "safety officer" would be able to have an idea what they were up against -- and where the attacker(s) are.

In the meantime - none of the children would have to know or see the safe or any "armed guards" -- put the safe behind a paneled wall/corkboard etc. Directly behind the teachers desk.

Budget constraints, hazard pay and just the insurance liability would be astronomical. Just because a person would volunteer doesn't mean a family member would not sue if that person was killed.

I read today that the school was very secure. One would have to show ID and get buzzed in to be where the shooter was. No amount of armed guards would have stopped this. If one was to shoot his way in then you would need volunteer targets plain and simple.