Wonder what spin they will put on the shooting at Virginia Tech

[havanese]

It will be interesting to see how the anti gun supporters will spin the horrible events at Virginia Tech today.

[DonWorsham]

When Virginia declined to extend self-defense rights to college students who were properly trained and licensed, VT had this to say:
Virginia Tech spokesman Larry Hincker was happy to hear the bill was defeated. "I'm sure the university community is appreciative of the General Assembly's actions because this will help parents, students, faculty and visitors feel safe on our campus."

[Pathfinder]

Well, I'm sure the media will spin it to say something like -

"The gun-free zone at VT saved 32 lives today when a criminal obeyed the rule and left his guns at home."

Wait a minute, no they can't say that, can they?

I know, it will be the assault weapons' fault! That's it. Just like the Medievals burned carts that ran over and killed people, after trying them for murder, we have to blame the assault weapons. And the NRA.

[havanese]

With the death count at more than double of Columbine, I expect Congress to "address" such a tragedy.

[DonWorsham]

I know, it will be the assault weapons' fault!

From the news...

Ten ATF agents are now on the Virginia Tech campus assisting with weapons identification. They are collecting shell casings and running some preliminary tests on scene. Once the weapon has been identified, they will begin an "urgent trace" to determine its origins — where it came from, to whom it was registered, and its history of ownership. All material will be sent to the ATF's national crime lab in Maryland.

[Sponsor]

[ratcatcher55]

HB 1572, which would have allowed handguns on college campuses, died in subcommittee.

A bill that would have given college students and employees the right to carry handguns on campus died with nary a shot being fired in the General Assembly.

House Bill 1572 didn't get through the House Committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety. It died Monday in the subcommittee stage, the first of several hurdles bills must overcome before becoming laws.

The bill was proposed by Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah County, on behalf of the Virginia Citizens Defense League. Gilbert was unavailable Monday and spokesman Gary Frink would not comment on the bill's defeat other than to say the issue was dead for this General Assembly session.

Virginia Tech spokesman Larry Hincker was happy to hear the bill was defeated. "I'm sure the university community is appreciative of the General Assembly's actions because this will help parents, students, faculty and visitors feel safe on our campus."


From Michelle Malkins Blog. I hope Mr Hicker 2006 words are jammed down his throat.
I purchased an Robinson Arms XCR on Friday.  Now I'm very happy I did.

[norfdet]

From the news...

Ten ATF agents are now on the Virginia Tech campus assisting with weapons identification. They are collecting shell casings and running some preliminary tests on scene. Once the weapon has been identified, they will begin an "urgent trace" to determine its origins — where it came from, to whom it was registered, and its history of ownership. All material will be sent to the ATF's national crime lab in Maryland.

You had better hope you are NOT on the other end of that private sale!

[Boulderlaw]

GOA has this: http://www.gunowners.org/pr0704.htm

NRA hasn't said much: http://www.nra.org/Article.aspx?id=8442

I can see the wisdom of NRA's position. They can make a stronger statement once they have all the facts. But GOA's position is correct, regardless of what all the facts turn out to be. Even if this guy was an NRA/GOA member who snapped, it would still have been better for everyone concerned if the students or the professors had been allowed to be armed - both for the possible deterrent effect and to stop the rampage.

Who has the better approach to responding to this tragedy?

[Stephen King]

WHAT A HORRIBLE DAY ........MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!

[Michael Bane]

At the request of HANDGUNS magazine and others, I wrote the industry response to Columbine. Something I hoped to never do again.

Later this week, when things are a little clearer, I will post to DOWN RANGE. For now, though, our thoughts and our prayers are with the fallen, and with those mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters and friends who now have to find a way to continue living.

It is, indeed, a dark day.

Michael B