you've been warned.
I received an email from my mom [from Tel-Aviv] Saturday.
"What's going on in AZ. Just saw the news."
I had no idea what she was talking about. I was inside Scottsdale Gun Club with the Pita. No joke. Looking at a pre-owned HK P2000.
I immediately went to my AP mobile app to see what was going on.
t u c s o n .
We were in that exact Safeway three times in the last 5 days.
c r a z y.
who does something like that? seriously.
Now over the last three days, this story has been everywhere. [rightfully so]. It's disturbing on so many levels. I can't even begin to understand the pain and the loss these family/friends are experiencing.
What upsets me is the need to blame this tragedy on someone/something.
The guy is a freak. a nut job. a mental case.
But it seems so many are ready to blame this tragedy on Arizona's gun laws.
I
disagree
completely.
Before I get into why I feel this way . . . . .
what is your take on this?
56 comments:
First off... I think your gun purchases are outweighing your fashion purchases there Em. That is not a cheap hand gun you were looking at by any means...
Irony as to your location while it was going down? Craziness.
My take, sheesh, you really sparked a fire of comments on this post.
The dude is a nut job. Everyone should be allowed to kick him in the balls in a public street corner.
Did you hear that the crazy baptist church planned on protesting the little girl's funeral?! Now THAT is disgusting x's 10.
no crap? I was first?! WOOOO HOOOO TAKE THAT EVERYONE!!! :P
I don't carry a gun and never will but I also believe that guns don't kill people, people kill people.
What if he did it with a knife? Would they ban steak knives at Smith and Wollensky's?
How about if he gorged her with a straw?
It is a tragedy and there is no need to blame it on anything other than the fact that the guy was mental.
Again, I am not a gun carrying person nor will I ever be but I believe people have the right to carry them if the law says so.
Now, let's ask this question. What if a bystander just shot the crazy guy? Would that be justice or another reason behind blaming the laws?
I am glad your ok, I spent the better part of that day on phone tracking down family, sad day
I agree, the guy is a complete WACK JOB! Obviously.
My take:
When something this catastrophic happens, most people need something/someone to blame so they can TRY to "make sense" of it because (most) huamns are rational. We have a need to know WHY something happened. Since there isn't a clear cut answer, we find our OWN answer -- Gun laws. Heated political rhetoric. ETC.
Although it feels like it's an attack on AZ's gun laws I think (hope) people are just trying to find an answer to "why".
My heart goes out to you and everyone affected by this tragedy.
I'm glad you and your family are ok. I don't understand how this can be blamed on gun laws though, if someone wants a gun, they'll get a gun. I would never have a gun because i'd end up shooting off my own foot. It makes me sad though, these mentally ill people. My nephew is schizophrenic, he's not violent and currently hospitalized but I haer alot of that crazy government talk out of him. Very very sad for everyone.
MO - that's why I was "looking" $ - not buying. ;)
Jason. Love your last sentences. Something to think on. The pita & I have discussed that part in great detail. As a gun carrying woman [in my purse] ---- I have thought about this part a lot.
BDD. So happy all your loved ones were far away. A girl friend of mine was in that Safeway about 1 hour earlier. She was shooken up about that. Crazy.
Gun–noun
1.
a weapon consisting of a metal tube, with mechanical attachments, from which projectiles are shot by the force of an explosive; a piece of ordnance.
Responsibility-–noun, plural -ties.
1.
the state or fact of being responsible.
2.
an instance of being responsible: The responsibility for this mess is yours!
3.
a particular burden of obligation upon one who is responsible: the responsibilities of authority.
4.
a person or thing for which one is responsible: A child is a responsibility to its parents.
If a crazy man attempts to break into my home and hurt my family in any way, I WILL take OUR gun and SHOOT him; DEAD. No question's asked. However; to walk to a corner store and do the same for no apparent reason, it is not okay; questions will be asked, should be asked. Would I be in trouble, as is the crazy man at the corner store? THE LAW says yes...so there is your question!! Who are we protecting...(and just so you know, I'm still shooting!)
Wannaberunnergirl & SSINAG--Loved your comments. So. Very. Very true.
E fam. Love it. Love you.
The guy is crazy! He would have done something with or without a gun.
I can understand if you are a mentally sane person wanting to carry a regular gun. I live in a state that doesn't even allow concealed guns unless you are law enforcement. I just am not a fan of the regular guy being able to buy automatic weapons. Just seems a little much for me. I just don't think our forefathers thought of the "right to bear arms" was for deadly weapons like that.
It's very sad all around.
When someone is clearly crazy, they will do what it takes to get what they need to fulfill their crazy act. If gun laws were different, this crazy guy would have had an illegal gun, or figured out another way to do what he wanted to do. I don't think the gun laws factor in to this case at all.
There was a stupid article on Yahoo about how it's Sarah Palin's fault because she used a bullseye on her webpage or something stupid like that. For the record: I cannot stand Sarah Palin but that is just stupid. The guy was crazy, like seriously nut job crazy. It was a tragedy but I don't think it was any one person's fault (other than the nut job of course), there were signs that this guy had issues but no one took the time to try and fix him. It is what it is and that is a tragedy, I think we all can agree on that.
I'll refrain from going crazy on my opinions here...
We have more guns than running shoes in this house...
We don't shoot people....
My sympathies with the families. Devastating....
I am almost at a loss of words with the whole situation. I understand that people need to find someone or something to blame in order to direct their feelings, but maybe they should be praying instead of blaming. For both the victims and the shooter. Understanding may not be something we are to attain.
I did say "almost" at a loss. :)
You are the best-dressed gun holding chicklette I know!!
I live minutes from the Columbine disaster, uck!
I feel exactly the same way. Crazy people do crazy things. Nothing Sarah Palin says could make a sane person do such a thing. Nothing Sarah Palin says could prevent a crazy person from doing such a thing.
What a horrible tragedy and where does Westboro Baptist get the money to travel around and torment people? I don't get it. They seriously suck.
I heard it was Sarah Palin's fault too. When I hear stuff like that I start to shut down, regardless of what I think of Ms SP.
People kill people (as Jason Said). The big argument is when does the government step in to save us from ourselves? Personally I am against handguns because the few have ruined it for the many and that's (unfortunately) just the way it is. But that's just my opinion. Doubtful that more than 10% of my extended family agree with me.
I saw that on the news. What.is.with.people?!?! My old HS had a shooting last week.
I am cheering for you this wkend from cold little Pullman EMZ! You are going to rock girl!
Glad you are safe!! That guy is a freakazoid and he is to blame!! I agree with you totally!
Wow! I can't believe this is your regular safeway. Thank GOD you were not there.
Anytime someone pulls a gun on innocent people I think it is safe to say they are mentally unstable. That gun wouldn't have killed people if a mentally unstable person wasn't the one holding it.
I agree with you Emz. :)
Frankly, if he didn't have a gun, he probably would've walked into the crowd with explosives and taken everyone out. The guy had extremist views. Even his parents can't get out of bed, they are so upset by this. Clearly the guy had mental issues and was going to get the job done. I hate the blame game. Hate it... and when they pull up some quote that had nothing to do with this and try to connect it and blame someone, it makes the entire news station completely worthless.
Have been offline. Have been thinking of you all weekend. So glad you're safe.
Feel it's hard to comment because it appears so easy to comment when you're not from the US.
SO, at the risk of angering people I agree that it seems the guy was nuts, and would have done something nuts regardless of the local laws and / or politics. However, it does appear to me that fairly reckless political rhetoric which fails to distinguish between political and personal debates doesn't help. Anyone. You have one of the most admired democracies in the world. It's vivid, and alive. And questions are asked that are brave. All the time - and I admire that, even if I don't always agree. We don't have the debates you're having, and are the poorer for it. But it needs to be absolutely clear to everyone that this is a debate, it's political discussion. It's philosophy. Not real war. The politicians are not to blame, I don't think. He would have done what he would have done. But perhaps he does present a context against which everyone else can be reminded that there's more that binds you than separates you. The idea of the United States is a big one and I envy you it.
3x in the past 5 days? That hits a bit too close to home. Glad you are safe.
I don't have a gun, never will, but this is the type of mentally ill person that would have gotten his hands on a gun regardless of the laws. IMHO.
I. Love. The. Comments.
Petra. Yours hit home for sure. My MIL has lived in London for 11 years but does not share in your feeling. I found your comment. Completely. Honest. And. Refreshing. Thank you.
* I don't live in Tucson. We were there with the pita's family on vacation & had frequented that store often through our stay.
We have heard about this all over the news. Didn't realized how close it is to you - glad you are safe! I don't know whether I've lived in England too long (guns are basically illegal here unless you're a farmer), but I have to admit I have been wondering whether America still needs it's guns. To be honest, even though the guy IS a nut job - how many nut jobs are out there? We used to regularly hear about shootings near/in my college campus in chicago. In England, you only hear about stabbings, and it's a lot harder to kill someone with a knife.
If that nut job only had access to a knife, I'm sure not so many people would have died.
That being said, I still believe it's an American right to bear arms. I'm feeling confused.
1. I am glad you are ok
2. I dont have a gun. My husband has several. I would prefer we don't have them in the house.
3. I think this guy is crazy and that he would have used something else.
it is not about the guns, it is about the persons. It is not ok that this guy had easy access to guns. I agree that guns dont kill people, people kill people...someone has make the decision to fire the gun...
very very sad
I think CNN & MSMBC's coverage of the event is irresponsible, and border-line slanderous. Before we even knew the gunman's name, they were blaming Bill O'Reilly, Fox News, and Sarah Palin for creating a "culture of hate". Now I'm not really a huge supporter of any of these, but why the blame? Because these groups fall on the side of the "support right to carry" debate?
As it turns out, this guys is a REGISTERED INDEPENDENT who didn't vote in the last election. If he's "Independent" - doesn't that make him technically in the middle. And if we have to place blame on political figures, doesn't that make President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Bill Clinton equally responsible. That's just ridiculous!
I'm not a big gun guy either. But I have no problem with people carrying them. You mean to tell me that tougher gun laws would have stopped this psychopath??? Please! That's like saying a ban on flying lessons would have stopped the 9-11 pilots. This nut-job was going to do what he had to do regardless of any law.
And media, if you still feel the need to find blame and push a political agenda by exploiting the death of a 9 year old little girl and others ... can you at least wait until the bodies are cold. I mean seriously, have some compassion.
Had PCC marked on his record he was mentally unstable, a huge reason why he got in trouble at the school on numerous occasions, he wouldn't have been able to buy a gun in the first place. I believe the gun laws, especially when purchasing, do need to be more strict. And I don't see why that is a bad thing. If you want a gun and you are stable, have a good history, etc. Then you will get one. I'm guessing the law is going to change either way.
Per person, Canadians own more shot guns and rifles per person that do Americans.
I think it's more the culture of anger and solving things once and for all with violence that movies, tv and video games teach people. This complicated with opinion leaders who spew hatred on TV, Radio and the Internet makes a tragic mix.
You have to ask why a person would use a gun, not if they own one.
If a person is intent on hurting another person the means to do so is not limited to the use of a gun. Taking them away will not stop people from hurting others, it will only change the means by which they do it.
I saw this on the news. What a tragedy. Sorry that it's happened so close to home for you. :(
I definitely blame the person, not the institution. Guns are not legal here and there are shooting deaths on the radio for Toronto all too frequently. People are going to do what they are going to do, unfortunately.
Agreed NUT JOB!!! Problem is there are too many of them out there:)
I'm glad you are o.k. That's too close. I'm disgusted by all that's going on as well. Politicians looking to advance themselves over another while people are suffering. It's a tragedy. When will we stop blaming McDonald's for getting us fat and guns for senseless killing. The guy was crazy. Again, I'm glad you're o.k. Good rant.
I actually thought of you (and my cuz) when I heard about this tragic event. Glad to hear you are ok.
People kill people. Guns don't kill people. It does not matter what laws are in place--if some whako nut job wants to kill, they will find a way.
That being said I was raised in a Baptist, Repulican home and with guns. I support each Americans right to arm themselves.
Guy walks up to a policeman in Phoenix and asks, "I am thinking of purchasing a gun - do I need a license?" Policeman responds, "You live in Arizona and don't already own a gun..."
I had to go search for something I wanted to share about this but could not find it...but, basically it talked about being able to protect yourself from these crazies in the world.
I"ll find it....
That was a tragedy, but I think playing the blame game and speculating only makes it worse. We know who was responsible. It was a disturbed man, not his parents, teachers, Rush Limbaugh, President Obama, video games, or who or whatever else people feel like blaming.
We live in a free country where people sometimes do horrible things to others with that freedom. I'd rather live in a free country than live in a society where people lose their freedom because the government is protecting us from everything bad that might ever happen.
JL. Please do. I ditto your comment. Agree completely.
Mooshy- please finish the joke. ;)
Rant away Emz!
Loren and I were talking the other night, because as gun owners, and dare I say enthusiasts, we don't believe in stricter gun laws. As a member of the law enforcement community I do think there is reason for restrictions on who can legally purchase and own guns, but limiting the ability for responsible, law-abiding citizens to arm themselves will not solve a thing. This young man had a plan, and even if he had not legally been able to purchase a firearm, he would have gotten one, somehow, someway.
We will continue to own guns, and continue to shoot as a hobby. My best to everyone in Arizona, glad you are safe.
It is awful. I can't imagine what the families are going through. It should not be blamed on a law but some disgusting guy that has ruined so many people's lives!
I agree with Tom comment.
We are lifetime members of the NRA so you probably know how I stand.
This is a tragedy for sure. It's the shooters fault and nobody elses.
I also lived by columbine, nice neighborhood, good school/community--it can happen anywhere.
The government can feel free to come take my guns at anytime---"FROM MY COLD DEAD HANDS."
I remember a gov't that took guns away from their citizens and something called the Holocaust happened. Learn from history so you don't repeat it.
Adrienne.
The
Best
Ever.
this was a horrible, horrible, crime. yet, i found it interesting that it wasn’t long before partisans of the left and right started lobbing accusations at each other. it's ridiculous to lay the blame for this crime on anyone other than the animal who committed it. period.
i am 100% in favor of anyone (myself included) owning a gun. my reason is for protection.
Guns don't kill people, bullets do. Oh yeah, and nut jobs.
Hi Em,
Was thinking about you guys on Saturday!
You know how I feel about gun laws/ownership.
I was very dissapointed in Sheriff Dupnik. A terrible tragedy happens and an elected peace keeper decides this is his chance to express his political beliefs. WTF? He has been using this horrendous event as his personal bully pulpit and it is disgusting.
He has been going to every media outlet to preach his message of the irresponsible vitriol while at the same time making irresponsilble statements??? F*****G hypocrite.
Hey Dupnik ... How about step down from your soapbox and go do your job as Sheriff you piece of shit.
I feel better. Sorry I cursed in your comments. Please delete in you want to!
Oh and don't even get me started on Paul Krugman.
I've been wrestling with what to comment and even though about opting out. First, I am not a gun owner. Secondly, I don't believe that restricting rights of fine upstanding citizens is a path to a better society. The problem is how do you determine fine upstanding vs. crazy or even evil.
Would a different set of laws with a waiting period help the society determine crazy vs evil vs fine upstanding? My confidence is low that would could ever make that call perfectly especially if this is done via some govt organization. Would eliminating certain types of guns or high capacity clips limit the downside what crazy people can do? I obviously wasn't thinking that as I was running on 9/11 with fighter jets above my head but maybe there is a point.
For what we know now, this guy is a lunatic. The problem with crazy people is that they are, you guessed it, crazy.
But crazy doesn't mean stupid. What is most frightening is that I'm sure that he could have, if wanted to, found another way without firearms to accomplish his evil.
The guy is the killer here, not the firearm. People who want to outlaw firearms do not apparently remember history very well. And. That. Is. Scary.
I never think the laws are to blame.
But maybe it is because I'm a lawyer :)
Crazy, whacked, evil people will always find a way to do crazy and horrible things, regardless of weapon of choice. If not a gun, he would have found another way. It's been like that since the beginning of time. Tragically sad, terribly true.
We too, are supporters of the NRA and the right to own and carry guns. It is against the law to kill a person, (unless in self-defense) regardless of murder method, period.
Gun laws, my lily white ass! Some people are just demented individuals, period. I'm getting my pistol permit this week, what.
Gun laws or not, you have a responsibility as a human being no matter what. You have a choice. It's not like gun laws can force you to do something, is it? Blaming it on the gun laws just seems 'easy', in my opinion. If you take the time to think about what happened, it's pretty obvious that you can't just blame it on the AZ gun laws.
I think stricter gun laws will only make it harder for the good/non crazy people - the none nutjobs. Those nut job bastards always seem to find a way to get what they want to hurt people no matter what the laws.
So sucky what happened. Hugs to you and your community.
So glad you are okay.
I grew up with Rambo as a Dad so I've been around guns my whole life. We also have guns in our house. I'd like to see someone take them from us. Just saying.
I agree that the guy was a nut and would have found a way to create chaos one way or another. So sad and such a waste.
Found this on Facebook and had to share.
To everyone who is calling for stricter gun laws >If guns kill people, then pencils misspell words, cars drive drunk, and spoons make people FAT. Remember: Hold the person accountable for their actions, not the means they chose to utilize!!!
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