Recent Mall shooting in Nebraska?

[Pathfinder]

Heard a interesting statement today from a local radio talk show host. He made the comment (one I had niether heard, or thought of) That the reason there are more shooting like this today than in the past is because the population is so much greater than it was 75 or even 50 years ago. If you have a certain percentage of the population that is nuts, then you will more nuts. I had never thought about it that way, and it kinda makes sense. This host is niether openly pro or anti gun.  Thoughts anyone?

Cookie

Cookie, that radio doofus is full of it. Statistically, he may have a point, a very small one. The real reasons include the destruction of values, respect for others we disagree with, having "alternative" lifestyles crammed down our throats and ordered to "celebrate" them, trashing of everything that made this country great, and other related activities of our nations teachers union and other assorted liberal types.

Growing up, we had the local gun club's .22 rifles leaning up against the wall, and we all knew for a certainty that death and destruction would be meted out to us if we so much as touched them without a parent around and approving. My friends and I obeyed and no one would even think about taking one to school or the local stores and shoot people. We were taught morals and that our place was to learn, not to be special, and unique and important at the age of 16, as they are today.

Of course, we were also much better prepared to deal with the negatives of life than kids today are. Lose your job (at McDonald's!) and get dumped by your girlfriend? No problem, go shoot up a mall.

But then of course, it's the gun's fault.

[joemerchant24]

Um, correct me if I'm wrong but they both take the same ammo there Joe. 7.62X39. At least the SKS 59/66 takes that. So does the AK-47. Either way crap like this does not help a gun owners situation/s in this day and time. The anti-gunners and the media and the politicians are already running away with it. Anyhow, I'll leave the rest of what I have to say in my own reply to add to what I initially started. But had to point out they both, at least the 2 (1 of each) I have both use 7.62X39...

Yes, Glockmeister, I feed both my Yugo SKS and Romy AK the from the same can as well.

My point in sharing that is to show the cluelessness of CNN (who has paid fact checkers on staff). The way it was written, "SKS 7.66 mm " was the name of the ammo (Like .40 S&W). I waiting for the Paul Who Shall Not Be Named to push for a ban on all ammo made by SKS, cause it's as deadly as Black Talon was!!

I spent almost a decade in journalism, and I had countless pretty-haired people from TV (one case in particular was CNN) where a producer wanted to "take it outside" when I said they ran with stuff on-air long before they bothered to check it out.

I rest my case.

[force_quit]

The First Amendment Must Be Repealed!

Of course I’m not serious, but maybe I can explain the origin of that Brady-esque outburst.

I place much of the blame for Wednesday’s shooting at the Westroads Mall in Omaha, Nebraska squarely on the shoulders of the media. Yes, the media. After the April 16 massacre at Virginia Tech, most media outlets took a deranged mass murder’s press kit and published it. That may actually be too kind. They exploited it for every bit of sensationalistic attention they could get. They took an unknown murderer and gave him an international pulpit from which to spew his hatred, even after his cowardly self inflicted death.

I wrote to various media outlets after the Virginia Tech incident and said, “Your ill-advised decision has validated his actions, and will likely motivate other deluded individuals to commit similar atrocities because they know that they will be immortalized by media outlets that seem to be more concerned with ratings and scooping their rivals than with journalistic integrity.” Well, the latest mass murdering criminal was watching the news and was inspired. He wrote in his suicide note, "I'm a piece of shit but I'm going to be famous now."

Now, to be clear, I am NOT calling for limits on free speech or limits on the First Amendment. I AM calling for journalists to exercise professionalism, ethics, and responsibility. To report on these tragedies requires reporting some facts. A  murderer’s manifesto is evidence for the police and FBI to study and analyze. It is not material that should lead the nightly news. Do not give these psychopaths the attention they seek.

You know what should be reported? The fact that the mall was ANOTHER “gun free” zone. When will people wake up to the fact that these are killing zones where good people are made to be defenseless. No coincidence that cowardly scumbags choose “gun free” zones to do their evil. These zone need to be eliminated right away.

These incidents aren’t really even about guns. The Westroads Mall shooter apparently stole his gun. And I really don’t want to hear the argument that “if all guns were banned than people like that couldn’t get them” because this year in Detroit a police officer had his select-file 9mm carbine stolen (one of the few guns that could actually fit the “assault rifle” definition out of the back seat of his unmarked car at a Tiger’s game). News Flash - criminals STEAL things.

Evil people will do evil things. What we can do is stop them, and certainly not reward them.

[ellis4538]

I agree with you Force Quit but to expect "professionalism, ethics and responsibility from most media people is too much to ask of them.  They use the words but don't seem to know what they mean or they mean something different to them.  We all know and understand this but keep calling for it anyway.  We have about as much of a chance of making that happen as we do of changing HC mind about gun control.  No, I don't have answers either...If I did the media wouldn't listen to them anyway!

[joemerchant24]

Wanna talk ethics?

The Omaha PD just gave out three surveillance camera stills.

1) The gremiin entering the store for his recon sweep
2) The gremlin entering the store again with something under his sweatshirt
3) The gremlin stepping of the elevator on floor three with AK up, sights aligned and trigger pressed.

KETV (ABC) and KPTM (Fox) have decided to show the first two. They have a statement describing the third pic, but decided not to show it. WOWT (NBC) and KMTV (CBS) haven't update the ir Web site, yet.

The Omaha World-Herald and the Lincoln Journal Star led their Web site with photo number three

My editorial decision on the pics can be found at  http://joemerchant24.blogspot.com, but the short version is F*** that dirtbag. I'm not using ANY pics, nor using his name again.

What cheeses me off (trying to stay clean) is that the firestorm over who used what picture will get more media space than the damn gun-free zone at the mall.

OK, I need to go get lunch and something non-flammable to drink.

[Sponsor]

[James Raby]

Why do they always do it in a school or mall and not a NRA meeting?

[MikeBjerum]

I'd like to say it is because they are smart enough to know which setting would give them the best option of finishing it on their own terms.  However, it is most likely because they are going to the places they know the best, or where they felt bullied or left out.

This whole thing had me practicing my concealed draw again.  Long ago I learned that to maintain mediocrity I need to do it three times a week, to improve I need five times a week, and to be the best it is everyday.  I don't need to be the absolute best, but I do need to practice more than once or twice a week just to remember how to be comfortable and not obvious about rubbing the gun through my coat. 

I love my 1911 in a bianchi leather, but all my jackets are too short.  I works great under my suit and sport coats, but the pretty stainless muzzle hangs an inch below my favorite NRA leather.  When watching Personal Defense TV, I notice that Tom and Masad love to wear their vests.  Does anyone really run around town in those tactical vests?

Back on topic ... Minnesota is a "shall issue" State.  Along with that schools, law enforcement, governmental building, etc. are no carry places period.  However, as a part of the law that allows people to post their business or property as no guns, it is not illegal to carry there.  If they find you are carrying they can ask you to leave, and then you must.  But, if they don't ask you to leave your ok.  Since the main part of this part of the law is "concealed" it should be no problem unless you find yourself in a situation like Omaha.  Minnesota's castle docterine also says that you no longer need to flee your property or where you are.  You are free to defend yourself (you still can't run through the mall trying to hunt the guy down).  I smile every time I walk through the doors of the Mall of America, right past the NO  GUNS!!! sign with a locked and loaded 1911 and two extra ten round mags (probably would never need them in a fight, but hey, their small and fit easy in the pocket).

MALL  SHOPPING  HINT:  If you want really good service in a men's store (sorry guys - I'm talking clothing not guns and ammo this time ... and unfortunately no brass poles either) carry your gun when shopping for a suit.  When the salesman gets ready to help you out of your coat and into one of theirs, turn and whisper (remember that concealed means secret) that you are carrying.  After the initial gasp you tell them you always do, and you needed to in their store to be sure the suit fit.  You will end up with either the owner or the top manager working with you, usually one of the "senior" tailors, and in a nice private fitting area instead of the middle of the sales floor.  I have never needed to go back for a refitting on a suit that was tailored when I was fitted with a carry gun.  The down side of this is that I no longer buy my suits in our local small towns.  I don't want every shop owner in town knowing that I carry.  Remember, if something goes bad when you are in a place you don't want someone blurting out that  you need to draw or something dumb like that, and in our towns of 1500 down here it could happen.

[DonWorsham]

...but the pretty stainless muzzle hangs an inch below my favorite NRA leather. 

You should consider getting an IWB holster. When I shot IDPA in local matches there was more than 1 guy doing so with a full size 1911. I carried a CZ RAMI in 9mm (3in barrel) that way for a about year.

[CDR]

You should consider getting an IWB holster. When I shot IDPA in local matches there was more than 1 guy doing so with a full size 1911. I carried a CZ RAMI in 9mm (3in barrel) that way for a about year.

I've been carrying a full size 1911 in a Milt Sparks Summer Special II IWB holster and am simply amazed at how comfortable it is to carry.  I am waiting for a Milt Sparks Versa Max II to arrive as that model holster has wider straps that spreads the weight across the belt and is supposed to be even more comfortable.  It's really a wonderful way to carry a full size gun as all you need is a tee shirt to cover the top and you're good to go.  The trick is finding that sweet spot along your hip, say between 3:30 and 5 o'clock that works for your body type, and of course a good gun belt.  For me, 3:30 is perfectly comfortable and I can wear a government size 1911 all day long, even when driving. I agree with Don, definitely give IWB carry a try, but the right holster is of paramount importance IMHO.  I would highly recommend Milt Sparks, and you can try a Summer Special II without the current 26 week wait as Brownells always has them in stock for $77, the same price that Milt Sparks sells them for. 

Here's the link to the holster if you are interested.......   http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/productdetail.aspx?p=9922&st=Milt%20Sparks&s=

[jaybet]

You should consider getting an IWB holster. When I shot IDPA in local matches there was more than 1 guy doing so with a full size 1911. I carried a CZ RAMI in 9mm (3in barrel) that way for a about year.

Hey DonWorsham! I've been flirting with the CZ Rami for a little while. How do you like yours? Does it operate like a 1911 or is there a "decocking" mechanism of some kind to leave you that first double action shot? I'm thinking of getting a really small carry piece for my out-of-state trips (out of New Jerksey that is) and the Rami looks nice, but maybe a little bigger than I'd like. Iwas thinking of something the size of the Taurus  Millennium Pro or one of the Kahrs,which seem pretty expensive.