In the wake of recent mass shootings several law enforcement leaders are now encouraging CCW. Is this an idea whose time has come?

2015-12-04T02:59:43-05:00

...[s]everal law enforcement authorities said Thursday that there is a case to be made that licensed gun owners may act as deterrents to mass shooters. “I think after Paris, and as we learn more about this event [in San Bernardino] we need to be nimble enough and pragmatic enough to recognize that there’s definitely a small number of documented mass-casualty shootings that have been ended by off-duty law enforcement and civilians,” said Eugene O’Donnell, a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. A former police officer, Mr. O’Donnell said about half of mass shootings are finished before the first officer arrives, given that “these are people that are coming in to kill.”
“They’re coming in to kill as many people as they can, as quickly as they can, so the old model — the police would get there, they would cordon the place off, you could talk people through — a large number of these events are going to be over before the cops get there,” Mr. O’Donnell said. Ulster County Sheriff Paul J. Van Blarcum encouraged residents of his New York jurisdiction Thursday to carry their firearms if licensed. “In light of recent events that have occurred in the United States and around the world, I want to encourage citizens of Ulster County who are licensed to carry a firearm to PLEASE DO SO,” Sheriff Van Blarcum wrote in a Facebook post. The sheriff, whose county is about two hours north of New York City, also reminded retired and active-duty police officers to “please carry a weapon whenever you leave your house.”
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/dec/3/armed-citizenry-seen-as-mass-shooting-terrorism-de/

Armed citizenry seen as mass-shooting, terrorism deterrent

Democrats ramped up their push Thursday for more firearms restrictions even as alarm over recent mass shootings, including one linked to Islamic terrorism, fueled calls for citizens to play a greater role in their own protection.

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Dec 4 at 2015 3:00 AM

2015-12-04T03:00:36-05:00

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Dec 4 at 2015 3:20 AM

2015-12-04T03:20:19-05:00

Responsible people with guns are the first line of defense against mass shooters. When the chips are down one is either a defender or a target.

Response by SGT David T. made Dec 4 at 2015 7:50 AM

2015-12-04T07:50:55-05:00

If we look at where these shootings take place, they are not in places with armed people. They are in places that people can't really defend themselves. Granted I am not suggesting that we all walk around with tacticool AR-15s, body armor and helmets normally, but I think it would be prudent if law abiding citizens had at least a pistol. I think there needs to be some engagement with and by law enforcement to mitigate the chances of the law abiding being killed by the LEOs by mistake.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2015 11:17 AM

2015-12-04T11:17:06-05:00

I hope all legal American citizens go get training and certification to carry. Businesses should implement programs that do this for their employees. Maybe put ads out for former military/law enforcement interested in providing full time armed security for their business. Even if you aren't able to stop the threat by direct hit, you'd send most running away once they realized there was someone shooting back at them. Most of these people won't stay to fight.