On the Horrors in Connecticut
As I write these words, at around 11 p.m. Los Angeles time, my daughter lies sleeping in the next room. I gave her a few extra hugs and kisses today, just as many of you did with your own children. Soon I too will be sleeping, but as I go to bed I will be thinking of those touched by today’s horrors in Connecticut, the parents for whom sleep may never again come easily.
Much will be written in the coming days about what might have been done to prevent those horrors and what might be done to prevent future ones. I here offer my opinion, one based on a long career as a police officer: The only effective remedy for a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. Or, even better, several good guys with guns. Everything else is wishful thinking.
I can’t wait to see my child in the morning. My prayers go out for those so cruelly and eternally deprived of that pleasure.
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Comments:
Sep '10
Re: On the Horrors in Connecticut
Amen.
May '10
Re: On the Horrors in Connecticut
We need a "like" for contributors.
Oct '10
Re: On the Horrors in Connecticut
Until and unless conservatives redeem the GOP and become an effective opposition to the progleft zeitgeist that has the American people in it's jaws, we can only observe the words of LTDan.
Mar '12
Re: On the Horrors in Connecticut
Thank you, Jack. I agree and would love to hear more from you on the subject.
Feb '11
Re: On the Horrors in Connecticut
Just knowing there is likely to be one will deter some.
Jan '11
Re: On the Horrors in Connecticut
If Republicans had sophistication, which is something we sadly lack, we would recommend that the National Transportation Safety Board come in and investigate this tragedy as they would a plane crash. Remove the investigation from politics. They would do a stellar job, and provide a list of alternatives to prevent future events that could then be discussed.
Dec '12
Re: On the Horrors in Connecticut
As a retired elementary principal and parent of five I am sick at heart for the loss of the innocents. I know just how open and indefensible an elementary school is. We've had purse snatchers comb the rooms during fire drills and odd people observe the children during recess as well as non-custodial parents attempting to "steal" their children. We went from totally open to a buzz-in system that covered just one of the five entrances, some protection? Jack Dunphy is absolutely correct. Were I still working I would recommend that at least one person in the school be firearm trained and have access to a weapon. The liberal call for more gun restrictions simply makes schools and public places better shooting galleries for disturbed people.
Feb '11
Re: On the Horrors in Connecticut
Sorry. Posted in the wrong place.
Edited on December 15, 2012 at 11:28pmFeb '11
Re: On the Horrors in Connecticut
Sorry. Posted this in the wrong place.
Edited on December 15, 2012 at 11:26pmJun '10
Re: On the Horrors in Connecticut
I agree with everything else you wrote, but I have to quibble with this last line. I fervently hope and pray that these grieving parents will be reunited with their children and spend eternity together.
I suspect for many this shred of hope is the only thing that allows them to put one foot in front of the other in this dark hour.
Sep '12
Re: On the Horrors in Connecticut
Pseudodionysius
Amen. · 10 hours ago
Most people are sheep, some are wolves and some are sheepdogs. Gun control laws disarm the sheepdogs, not the wolves. We need more armed sheepdogs.
Oct '12
Re: On the Horrors in Connecticut
I swear I am not a Scientologist, but I am thinking there ought to be discussion of anti-depressants and the use and abuse of anti-psychotic medication. A lot of the spree/rage shooters whose names I choose not to remember have this in common.
Apr '12
Re: On the Horrors in Connecticut
William Manley: ...
Jack Dunphy is absolutely correct. Were I still working I would recommend that at least one person in the school be firearm trained and have access to a weapon. The liberal call for more gun restrictions simply makes schools and public places better shooting galleries for disturbed people. · 7 hours ago
Couldn't agree more! Britain has strict gun laws but that didn't prevent the similar atrocity at Dunblane, Scotland.
Apr '12
Re: On the Horrors in Connecticut
A lot of psychiatrists need to have their "heads examined" over the subject of drugs, and how monsters can "change". This Montreal doctor stabbed his two children to death, and is being released after four years.
May '11
Re: On the Horrors in Connecticut
Thank you Jack.
This is so glaringly obvious, why don't most people see it? We have armed guards where we keep our money, why not one more where we have our kids daily? It does not have to be a pensioned union position either, I'm sure that you could get at least one teacher to agree to take the training, and have the gun on their hip at school for free, I'd offer to pay for the training and any practice rounds they would need, but why not have one trained adult at these schools?
Here in Japan our elementary schools have better security.
May '11
Re: On the Horrors in Connecticut
You never hear the news people talk about the mass shootings that were stopped by an armed citizen, like the New Life Church shooting in December of 2007, if that armed lady had not shot the shooter, he would have been able to kill dozens of people, but all you hear about is taking the guns away from the good guys. Kind of like trying to defeat Hitler by disarming England in the summer of 1940, yeah, that makes sense.
Oct '11
Re: On the Horrors in Connecticut
It is a sad day indeed.
Something that I just don't understand is why these mentally unstable people want to take as many with them in the death wishes as if there a worship of mass murder in America.
We should not wish the death of anyone, but had this murderer had taken his gun on himself it would be a tragedy, but at least 20 people would still be alive.
Aug '12
Re: On the Horrors in Connecticut
We have armed guards where we keep our money, why not one more where we have our kids daily?
Well said Stu. Might have to borrow this for a facebook status. Time to stoke the fires...
Aug '12
Re: On the Horrors in Connecticut
Excellent post. Some of the solutions are so common-sensical as to mystify any normal person about why they are not accepted. As my wife is a teacher, these incidents strike fear into me, as I also know she works in a wholly unprotected environment, relying on the false security of the "lockdown" and responding police and district security to keep students and staff safe. As with typical school policies regarding bullying, so with defense of the students and staff. The policies are designed to enable the bullies and prevent the bullied/victims to respond for fear of official reprisal.