My thoughts regarding todays shooting
I just posted this note on my facebook page, took a while to type up. So, what do you think?
So by now everyone has probably heard about the Virginia Tech school shooting today, where 1 person killed 32 innocent students and then himself before police could get to him. He did this by going inside a school building, chaining the doors shut from the inside, and then randomly going into classrooms and shooting everyone. There are no classes being held tomorrow.
The thing is that this could have all been prevented, or at the very least stopped even after the first person was killed. I have read nothing about anyone even attempting to fight back, and as far as I have seen the police were not even able to get into the building to take him out. With the police unable to do anything except clean up the mess, the responsibility is given to the students and teachers to take care of the situation.
I am a full time student, and I am on campus 6-7 days a week, for at least 2 hours everyday with my current schedule, though I am no stranger to being on campus for 8-12 hours a day in previous semesters. In 1 months time, I can say with confidence that I might see 1 police officer on campus, and what makes it even worse is that they do not always have a gun or any other type of weapon on them. If one enters the campus at any entrance, one would see a sign with large words stating that "Firearms are Prohibited," and basically if you are caught with a gun on campus you can plan on never coming back and spending the rest of your life in jail.
So what do I think about the situation? Personally, I would that all faculty, staff, and students be allowed to carry guns on campus, provided that they meet the requirements and get a Concealed Carry Permit. This permit shows that the individual has learned all the laws relating to guns, has spent a lot of time and money buying a gun and training with it, and is obviously of a sound mind, having passed the multitude of background checks. I would rather be in class with a room full of good people with guns that would only use them for self defense than with 1 nut who comes in and kills a roomful of law abiding innocent people who left their guns at home because it was illegal for them to bring the guns to school.
Quite frankly, despite the effort of many to take guns away from the people, even if guns were made illegal and were all confiscated, criminals would still obtain them and use them illegally. They made alcohol illegal, and how did that turn out? Preventing people from buying, owning, carrying, and using guns will only affect those who would follow the laws. Post a sign that says "Firearms Prohibited," and you get unarmed, law abiding citizens that all have the potential to be killed by those who would obtain a gun illegally, carry that gun illegally, and use it to commit murder, which is already illegal. Murder is against the law, but does that stop people from doing it? What does a speed limit sign do posted along a highway? I doubt a sign would do anything either. Just knowing that you can expect no resistance is enough motivation for someone to shoot innocent people.
By arming the good and responsible people, crime will be deterred because criminals would not mess with those who are armed and would fight back. Armed citizens are a great help to law enforcement, because they are the first responders. Would you rather rob someone who has a gun on him, or someone who clearly does not? Criminals do not want a fight, they want an easy target, one who is distracted, unarmed, unaware, and unwilling or unable to fight back. If school shooters knew that students and faculty carried guns to school, they would definitely think twice before trying anything, and even if they did try something, the body count would be reduced greatly because someone will be there to stop it.
There are several important points to remember here. I am too close to graduation for any type of law to take effect where people can carry concealed guns to school, and with today's event it is more likely that even stricter gun laws will be passed, which will make it even harder for innocent people to fight back and even easier for criminals to take advantage. The thing to remember is that you as a student or faculty member, even as a human being, you have a right to live your life without worrying if someone is going to try and kill you today. It is your responsibility to defend yourself and your loved ones, because when it comes time for something bad to happen, the police will not be around to save you. There are crimes going on everyday on this campus alone, but they do not have to happen if you would first of all arm yourself with something, anything, and be willing to fight back. Don't just give them what they want, but show them that you will not give up and that you are willing to fight for what you have worked so hard for. Even by showing a weapon and showing that you are willing to use it you can prevent a crime, without ever having to use it. The thing is to be prepared for anything, but hope you do not have to use anything. Crime only takes a few seconds.
So here is my conclusion to the matter. Ever since Columbine I have become aware that schools are the most dangerous places in the country. Guns and most weapons are made illegal, which means that law abiding citizens are unarmed, and criminals know this. Schools are highly concentrated, with our campus alone having over 20,000 students, and with no security measures or law enforcement in place in case of an incident. The perfect place for a major terrorist attack would be at a school, and though we do not like to think of it that way, the reality is that even a small group of people can walk onto campus with several guns and other weapons and take out a large amount of people before the police are able to arrive to stop it. It happened in Russia, where hundreds of kids were killed by terrorists who used the kids as shields while the police shot them, and it can happen here just as easily. With this I am formulating a list of ways that you can play a part in preventing such events from happening at your school, or any criminal attack that might occur.
--Be willing to accept the fact that though we are young, we will not live forever, and this world is a very dangerous place. Crime can and will most likely happen to you or someone you know and care about.
--Arm yourself accordingly, and remain armed at all times. Guns may be illegal on campus, but there are many different weapons that you might use in their place, both long range and close range weapons.
--Train, train, train, practice constantly in all types of conditions with your weapon of choice, and be able to use it effectively. A weapon is only as good as the one using it.
--You need two types of weapons, though the actual number and kind may vary according to your situation and location. Close range weapons include knives, stun guns, pepper spray, batons, nunchucks, baseball bats, or anything else you might chose to use. I would say swords, but carrying one on campus is not convenient, and I doubt you could conceal that one. Of course learning some type of martial art is highly necessary and recommended whether or not you do carry a close range weapon.
--You will also need a long range weapon, which is capable of doing damage from a distance. Off campus, the ideal weapon would be a handgun, and in your place of residence either a rifle or shotgun, but on campus, you are somewhat limited to pepper spray and taser guns, though I am not sure if taser guns can be carried on campus or not. Of course you can always just throw whatever is available at the attacker, and there is an endless list here. The idea is that you try and stop the attacker while he is far away, and should he get too close, you can take him out with your close range weapon.
--It is of upmost importance that you are always alert and fully aware of your surroundings. That means avoid talking on cell phones or listening to music, especially when alone, and with that always try to travel in groups. Try to avoid travelling alone, at night or in dark places, or places where people are not around. Look people in the eye and make them aware that you know they are there. Walk tall, do not slouch, and do not act or look like a victim, unless you want to become one. Walk with a purpose, and above all, when SHTF, do not give in, fight back with everything you have until you are either dead or the criminal is dead or unable to continue. You alone are responible for your life, and if you choose not to fight back then you are at the mercy of your attacker.
--Just my 2 cents concerning the matter, if I am ever in a situation where someone comes into my school or my class and starts shooting innocent people you can bet your life I will do whatever I need to do to take the piece of sheet out, even if I have to die or be thrown in jail for it. And I would be happy to know that you all would stand and fight right beside me.
-Thomas
So by now everyone has probably heard about the Virginia Tech school shooting today, where 1 person killed 32 innocent students and then himself before police could get to him. He did this by going inside a school building, chaining the doors shut from the inside, and then randomly going into classrooms and shooting everyone. There are no classes being held tomorrow.
The thing is that this could have all been prevented, or at the very least stopped even after the first person was killed. I have read nothing about anyone even attempting to fight back, and as far as I have seen the police were not even able to get into the building to take him out. With the police unable to do anything except clean up the mess, the responsibility is given to the students and teachers to take care of the situation.
I am a full time student, and I am on campus 6-7 days a week, for at least 2 hours everyday with my current schedule, though I am no stranger to being on campus for 8-12 hours a day in previous semesters. In 1 months time, I can say with confidence that I might see 1 police officer on campus, and what makes it even worse is that they do not always have a gun or any other type of weapon on them. If one enters the campus at any entrance, one would see a sign with large words stating that "Firearms are Prohibited," and basically if you are caught with a gun on campus you can plan on never coming back and spending the rest of your life in jail.
So what do I think about the situation? Personally, I would that all faculty, staff, and students be allowed to carry guns on campus, provided that they meet the requirements and get a Concealed Carry Permit. This permit shows that the individual has learned all the laws relating to guns, has spent a lot of time and money buying a gun and training with it, and is obviously of a sound mind, having passed the multitude of background checks. I would rather be in class with a room full of good people with guns that would only use them for self defense than with 1 nut who comes in and kills a roomful of law abiding innocent people who left their guns at home because it was illegal for them to bring the guns to school.
Quite frankly, despite the effort of many to take guns away from the people, even if guns were made illegal and were all confiscated, criminals would still obtain them and use them illegally. They made alcohol illegal, and how did that turn out? Preventing people from buying, owning, carrying, and using guns will only affect those who would follow the laws. Post a sign that says "Firearms Prohibited," and you get unarmed, law abiding citizens that all have the potential to be killed by those who would obtain a gun illegally, carry that gun illegally, and use it to commit murder, which is already illegal. Murder is against the law, but does that stop people from doing it? What does a speed limit sign do posted along a highway? I doubt a sign would do anything either. Just knowing that you can expect no resistance is enough motivation for someone to shoot innocent people.
By arming the good and responsible people, crime will be deterred because criminals would not mess with those who are armed and would fight back. Armed citizens are a great help to law enforcement, because they are the first responders. Would you rather rob someone who has a gun on him, or someone who clearly does not? Criminals do not want a fight, they want an easy target, one who is distracted, unarmed, unaware, and unwilling or unable to fight back. If school shooters knew that students and faculty carried guns to school, they would definitely think twice before trying anything, and even if they did try something, the body count would be reduced greatly because someone will be there to stop it.
There are several important points to remember here. I am too close to graduation for any type of law to take effect where people can carry concealed guns to school, and with today's event it is more likely that even stricter gun laws will be passed, which will make it even harder for innocent people to fight back and even easier for criminals to take advantage. The thing to remember is that you as a student or faculty member, even as a human being, you have a right to live your life without worrying if someone is going to try and kill you today. It is your responsibility to defend yourself and your loved ones, because when it comes time for something bad to happen, the police will not be around to save you. There are crimes going on everyday on this campus alone, but they do not have to happen if you would first of all arm yourself with something, anything, and be willing to fight back. Don't just give them what they want, but show them that you will not give up and that you are willing to fight for what you have worked so hard for. Even by showing a weapon and showing that you are willing to use it you can prevent a crime, without ever having to use it. The thing is to be prepared for anything, but hope you do not have to use anything. Crime only takes a few seconds.
So here is my conclusion to the matter. Ever since Columbine I have become aware that schools are the most dangerous places in the country. Guns and most weapons are made illegal, which means that law abiding citizens are unarmed, and criminals know this. Schools are highly concentrated, with our campus alone having over 20,000 students, and with no security measures or law enforcement in place in case of an incident. The perfect place for a major terrorist attack would be at a school, and though we do not like to think of it that way, the reality is that even a small group of people can walk onto campus with several guns and other weapons and take out a large amount of people before the police are able to arrive to stop it. It happened in Russia, where hundreds of kids were killed by terrorists who used the kids as shields while the police shot them, and it can happen here just as easily. With this I am formulating a list of ways that you can play a part in preventing such events from happening at your school, or any criminal attack that might occur.
--Be willing to accept the fact that though we are young, we will not live forever, and this world is a very dangerous place. Crime can and will most likely happen to you or someone you know and care about.
--Arm yourself accordingly, and remain armed at all times. Guns may be illegal on campus, but there are many different weapons that you might use in their place, both long range and close range weapons.
--Train, train, train, practice constantly in all types of conditions with your weapon of choice, and be able to use it effectively. A weapon is only as good as the one using it.
--You need two types of weapons, though the actual number and kind may vary according to your situation and location. Close range weapons include knives, stun guns, pepper spray, batons, nunchucks, baseball bats, or anything else you might chose to use. I would say swords, but carrying one on campus is not convenient, and I doubt you could conceal that one. Of course learning some type of martial art is highly necessary and recommended whether or not you do carry a close range weapon.
--You will also need a long range weapon, which is capable of doing damage from a distance. Off campus, the ideal weapon would be a handgun, and in your place of residence either a rifle or shotgun, but on campus, you are somewhat limited to pepper spray and taser guns, though I am not sure if taser guns can be carried on campus or not. Of course you can always just throw whatever is available at the attacker, and there is an endless list here. The idea is that you try and stop the attacker while he is far away, and should he get too close, you can take him out with your close range weapon.
--It is of upmost importance that you are always alert and fully aware of your surroundings. That means avoid talking on cell phones or listening to music, especially when alone, and with that always try to travel in groups. Try to avoid travelling alone, at night or in dark places, or places where people are not around. Look people in the eye and make them aware that you know they are there. Walk tall, do not slouch, and do not act or look like a victim, unless you want to become one. Walk with a purpose, and above all, when SHTF, do not give in, fight back with everything you have until you are either dead or the criminal is dead or unable to continue. You alone are responible for your life, and if you choose not to fight back then you are at the mercy of your attacker.
--Just my 2 cents concerning the matter, if I am ever in a situation where someone comes into my school or my class and starts shooting innocent people you can bet your life I will do whatever I need to do to take the piece of sheet out, even if I have to die or be thrown in jail for it. And I would be happy to know that you all would stand and fight right beside me.
-Thomas
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