Another US Shooting - This time a shopping Mall

[Douva 0]

The mall was a "gun free" zone:

http://www.concealedcampus.org/omaha_world-herald1.htm

http://www.concealedcampus.org/omaha_world-herald2.htm

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,315563,00.html

The cable news networks seem to be alternating between referring to the rifle as an SKS and referring to it as an AK-47. They also seem to think the terms "assault rifle" and "assault weapon" are interchangeable (they're not). And if the weapon was an SKS, the determination of whether or not it qualifies as an "assault weapon" will depend on its configuration.

I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

[SpeedRacer 1]

I think it's a copout to always go with the whole "society is to blame" mentality.

After the columbine shooting people were blaming it on rap music, heavy metal music, violent video games, TV, movies, or black trench coats, take your pick. "society is to blame!"

Guess what: sometimes people act as individuals.

One thing these shooters all had in common: They were all nutjobs.

Speed Racer
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[kelpdiver 2]

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This Faux News article says he used an AK-47:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,315441,00.html

Then 2 paragraphs later says he used an SKS. Who edits this shit anyway??

The problem is that same day reporting is not "hard news journalism," to cite the phrase mentioned earlier. It's about filling airtime, preferably with newer information than the other 17 news stations, but failing that, at least more interesting 'information' than the others. It is the primary failing on the small world in regards to news. When the story wasn't printed until 3am the next day, there was time to edit, to get more of the facts right, to present a coherent story. Now, no.

[kelpdiver 2]

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Television programs, movies, videos, DVDs ad infinitum have made the USA a leader in pornography and brutality and a wide range of violence being acceptable for kids right up to grandparents.

The US is not terribly different from the UK or Japan when it comes to violence and pornography in media. You probably need a different scapegoat.

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I wonder if 'gun free' malls will see a loss in business this holiday season.

[JohnRich 4]

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Its amazing to hear the call for everyone to carry a gun....figuring that then someone could stop a gunman. Only problem is....when you look around and seea guy with a gun ( looking for the killer) someone will make you a target. What an insane nation.

Yes, it's much better to just drop to the floor, curl up in a fetal ball, and suck on your thumb while awaiting death.

After all, "doing nothing" works quite well for parachute malfunction emergencies, right?

[JohnRich 4]

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we are a society gunk ho about guns, and also have one of the highest murder rates in world....because we are gunk ho about guns.

The phrase is "gung ho".

What about those nations that have gun ownership rates as high as the U.S., but low murder rates? Do they have low murder rates because they are gung ho about guns?

[JohnRich 4]

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That is nothing but a cop out...a weak notion that society isn't to blame for the mass killings in the USA. The society has long had a mentaility of giving everyone a gun, shoot anyone you feel may upset you, a paranoid attitude, and nothing more. There is no respect for law and order... Television programs, movies, videos, DVDs ad infinitum have made the USA a leader in pornography and brutality and a wide range of violence being acceptable for kids right up to grandparents.

So then, it's not really about the guns at all. It's about culture.

Gosh, we usually have to go through hundreds of knee-jerk unthinking responses before we get to this realization.

Congratulations, chuteless. You hit the nail on the head, without even realizing you did it.

[ZeG 0]

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That is nothing but a cop out...a weak notion that society isn't to blame for the mass killings in the USA. The society has long had a mentaility of giving everyone a gun, shoot anyone you feel may upset you, a paranoid attitude, and nothing more.

You are right on the money Bill. We are a society that thinks guns are a good idea, when in reality they are not. Guns are treated like another household item here. No wonder people are so eager to use them.

Yeah but if guns are a bad idea, then why aren´t there as many shootings in Canada as in the US? They got alot more guns per headcount..
This society is producing more mentally unstable people then other societies, that´s the reason. It has nothing to do with guns, more with a lack of education when ppl grow up here.
Another fact that backs this up, is that most of the maniacs running around and shooting people are from dysfunctional families.

[steve1 5]

The media should report what happened. They should not report the shooters name, background, motives, pictures, writings, etc. This just further 'glorifies' this kind behaviour to others in the same position. I am not saying that the gorvernment should have no say in this...government censorship of the media is a very very slippery slope. A self imposed blackout by all the major media outlets is what is needed. Reporting this kind of information should be considered harmful and discouraged, not a good scoop or exclusive information.

[kelpdiver 2]

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I agree...This is a big part of the problem. How many other nut cases are thinking of doing the exact same thing. Glorify what they do in the media, and the problem is likely to get worse!

every time it happens, the media should put up a picture of Rosie O'Donnell and say she struck again.

Of course, the problem is that people want to know WHY people do senseless things in hope to understand or prevent. But that would be an attempt to rationalize irrational behavior, so it doesn't benefit us.

[shropshire 0]

I dont agree. The Facts of the story should be told to all so that nothing can be covered up.

Supposition, embellishment and non-related stuff should not be included.

Facts and history aren't glorification. It's what people do with them that leads to glorification.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[kelpdiver 2]

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Facts and history aren't glorification. It's what people do with them that leads to glorification.

The coverage doesn't glorify, but it certainly gives attention to the person, and that part does encourage other suicidal loners to act in the same way.

[bch7773 0]

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The mall was a "gun free" zone:

http://www.concealedcampus.org/omaha_world-herald1.htm

and this guy ignored the "no weapons allowed here" sign!!! wow... i'm glad the mall "protected" its patrons by banning guns.

a single shot from a concealed weapons holder could have stopped this rampage. too bad they followed the law and didn't bring weapons into the mall.

MB 3528, RB 1182

[shropshire 0]

Who wields the sensorship pencil?

So, where do you draw the line?

Should there be a Free Press or should it be controled?

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[billvon 3,070]

>and that part does encourage other suicidal loners to act in the same way.

That's true - but it's one of the prices we pay for having a free press. I really think you'd prefer it that way overall. I mean, covering 9/11 was a huge impetus for other terrorists to do such things - but I think all in all you'd rather the media cover it than try to suppress it.

Besides which, in this day and age, someone would ask the police, email it to someone, it would get forwarded, posted on a blog etc. You can't keep such things out of the public eye any more.

[justinb138 0]

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a single shot from a concealed weapons holder could have stopped this rampage. too bad they followed the law and didn't bring weapons into the mall.

Absolutely. I believe another mall shooting earlier this year was stopped by exactly that (an off-duty police officer who carried his weapon into the mall, despite the fact that it was posted as being "gun-free").

When will people realize that bullets are far more effective at stopping violent criminals than "No-Gun" signs?

[Flacid_Monk 0]

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a single shot from a concealed weapons holder could have stopped this rampage. too bad they followed the law and didn't bring weapons into the mall.

Absolutely. I believe another mall shooting earlier this year was stopped by exactly that (an off-duty police officer who carried his weapon into the mall, despite the fact that it was posted as being "gun-free").

When will people realize that bullets are far more effective at stopping violent criminals than "No-Gun" signs?

and what would be even more effective would be for people to not be able to get hold of guns in the first place......

[Royd 0]

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There is no respect for law and order,

How did that happen? We have a portion of society who says that there are no absolutes in life, there is no black or white, no right or wrong. Giving children solid boundaries is considered abuse. Civil disobedience is promoted by those in authority within the educational system. What do you really expect?

[Royd 0]

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and what would be even more effective would be for people to not be able to get hold of guns in the first place......

You mean, sorta like a suicide bomber?

[Flacid_Monk 0]

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and what would be even more effective would be for people to not be able to get hold of guns in the first place......

You mean, sorta like a suicide bomber?

you know what i mean

[shropshire 0]

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A Concealed Carry wouldn't solve that problem, now would it?

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[justinb138 0]

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a single shot from a concealed weapons holder could have stopped this rampage. too bad they followed the law and didn't bring weapons into the mall.

Absolutely. I believe another mall shooting earlier this year was stopped by exactly that (an off-duty police officer who carried his weapon into the mall, despite the fact that it was posted as being "gun-free").

When will people realize that bullets are far more effective at stopping violent criminals than "No-Gun" signs?

and what would be even more effective would be for people to not be able to get hold of guns in the first place......

How do you make 100 million guns disappear? Do you think that just because a law is passed banning them that they'll just go away and criminals won't be able to get them?

There is no way to prevent criminals from getting guns. Concealed carry by law-abiding citizens is an effective method for stopping them when they try to use them however.

[ZeG 0]

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a single shot from a concealed weapons holder could have stopped this rampage. too bad they followed the law and didn't bring weapons into the mall.

Absolutely. I believe another mall shooting earlier this year was stopped by exactly that (an off-duty police officer who carried his weapon into the mall, despite the fact that it was posted as being "gun-free").

When will people realize that bullets are far more effective at stopping violent criminals than "No-Gun" signs?

and what would be even more effective would be for people to not be able to get hold of guns in the first place......

How do you make 100 million guns disappear? Do you think that just because a law is passed banning them that they'll just go away and criminals won't be able to get them?

There is no way to prevent criminals from getting guns. Concealed carry by law-abiding citizens is an effective method for stopping them when they try to use them however.

If you want to do crazy stuff, there is ALWAYS a way to get a gun. Just look at some european countries that have them more or less banned/controlled. There may be less shootings (less crazy people), but they still occur.
It´s the same with prostitution, you can´t fight the sympton, there will always be hookers/weapons. You have to educate people to stay away from it, that´s the only way!

[Royd 0]

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A Concealed Carry wouldn't solve that problem, now would it?

No, but the person desiring to do the damage doesn't need a gun, either.

In this case, it was all about 'me'. If I wanted to do serious damage, a bomb would be the ticket.

[kelpdiver 2]

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Who wields the sensorship pencil?

So, where do you draw the line?

Should there be a Free Press or should it be controled?

Who said anything about controlling the press?

For some time now they have kept the names of rape victims anonymous. No one forces them to do so, they choose to.

Likewise, here, they can choose to, though I think practically speaking it's unlikely to happen as they seek to explain the actions (he was bullied, he wet his bed, 'he seemed like such a nice boy' says his neighbor, etc).

The press also tends to choose not to mention when guns are used to end the attack, which is unfortunate. Not only do they (to other fucked up losers) seem to glorify the shooter, but they don't mention that often they are stopped by the same tool, which might discourage some of them.