S.C. lawmaker: Victims 'waited their turn to be shot'. Is that the way it went down?

2015-06-24T10:25:17-04:00

“We're focusing on the wrong thing here,” Chumley said. “We need to be focusing on the nine families that are left and see that this doesn't happen again. These people sat in there and waited their turn to be shot. That's sad when somebody in there with a means of self-defense could have stopped this and we'd have less funerals than we're having.”

http://www.foxcarolina.com/story/29393083/sc-lawmaker-victims-waited-their-turn-to-be-shot

S.C. lawmaker: Victims 'waited their turn to be shot'

In an interview on Tuesday, Rep. Bill Chumley provides an unusual remark about the victims who lost their lives in last week's shooting at Emanuel AME.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 10:40 AM

2015-06-24T10:40:09-04:00

Somehow, our elected representatives continue to show how stupid they can be.

Response by SGM Gregory Hoppe made Jun 24 at 2015 11:20 AM

2015-06-24T11:20:56-04:00

I watched the interview. I didn't catch anything about waiting to be shot. I hate to speculate on something this sensitive, especially as I have only followed this from a distance. The Rep did suggest that someone should have a weapon in church and should have taken action while the shooter reloaded. I know I did carry my weapon in church bur never had occasion to need it while there. Of course that was a different time and Departmental rules required us to carry at all times and to respond if needed. I know in the current day I still carry except on base where it is illegal. I think they have a tricky question on their hands here and as South Carolina was the home of Succession and the 1st to leave the Union in the Civil War and seeing the past and current attitudes there, nothing surprises me now. I am just glad they have the responsibility to resolve this and not me.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 1:42 PM

2015-06-24T13:42:46-04:00

Hi, SPC Allbright.

Like BANG…next…BANG…next…? Of course not. Even rats won’t sit there and let you shoot them. More likely, when Roof started shooting, people were clamoring to get away, piling over everyone and everything else, creating a fish in a barrel situation. There is no dishonor there. I dare anyone to say if they were there, unarmed, and not immediately able to lay hands on the shooter, they would not have tried to run, also. The person closest to the exit is going to beat feet to the exit. The person in the rear, farthest from a way out, is the worst off. The people in the middle, however, are going to get caught in the rush. Getting out or getting to the shooter will get them trampled on.

Representative Chumley is trying to demonize the victims by blaming them for not carrying, as if by not carrying they yielded to their own fate. In a radical, misplaced, and ridiculous defense of the 2nd Amendment, he’s chastising the victims. In a rush to say something, anything, he put his foot in his mouth.