What can we do to stop the scourge of mass shootings?

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 09:20:33 -0400

So with all of this news about several shootings last week along with Parkland and Las Vegas, Newtown and so on, I have been giving this serious thought. And I have an idea that might just work. There are two significant Constitutional obstacles that prevent the feds and other law enforcement from getting after mass shooting suspects either through denying access to weapons (2d Amendment) or so-called red flag laws (4th Amendment - due process clause). The federal government has very powerful resources that are currently being used to track jihadis, child pornographers/predators, and organized crime activities. These shooters seem to have some commonality in behavior with some of the above. So why not harness these resources to track and if necessary get warrants and roll these SOBs up before they execute? It wouldn't stop them all, but I think it might just make a serious dent in the problem. Incels, racists, Antifa, "lone wolves"... all of them seem to draw knowledge and support in the darker corners of the internet - and that can be monitored.
I would like to see your ideas that would actually make a difference. There are a lot of smart, thoughtful folks on this site, and I think this issue bridges ideologies.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Aug 6 at 2019 9:23 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 09:23:28 -0400

Thank you for the interesting article share Top.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Aug 6 at 2019 9:52 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 09:52:45 -0400

Get every law abiding citizen 21 and over with no disqualifying mental conditions to apply and get a concealed carry permit, purchase the best pistol they can afford, go shooting and then pack that mo' hucker with them. Finally, if some unbalanced dipshit starts shooting, return fire.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2019 10:00 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 10:00:24 -0400

Clearly, something must be done, 1SG Private RallyPoint Member just as you indicated! In my view, we do need to eradicate those who hide in the dark recesses of the internet, scheming their attacks on the population at large... Removing the guns from the Population at large only exacerbates the problem, not reduce the problem... If the license to carry was generally more favorable to the average person on the street, there would probably be less of these idiotic mass murderers loose on the street... and knowing that people might just fire back at them, will deter them! Handgun training would be an absolute must for anyone carrying a weapon... There is no panacea here, it requires vigilance, proactive law enforcement, not reactive enforcement... It is too late when the cat is out of the bag, so-to-speak... Great Post, 1st Sergeant Healy!!!

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Aug 6 at 2019 10:05 AM

MSG Stan Hutchison — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 10:05:01 -0400

I don't believe this can be looked at as one simple problem, thus there can be no one single solution.

1. Do we want "Internet cops," monitoring what everyone post? Add to that, where is the line drawn to determine if the individual is an actual threat or just blowing off steam?

2. This nation has such a view of mental health that we cannot openly discuss the subject.

3. Far too many people do not want to "rat out" a neighbor or friend, thus they stay silent to what could be a threat.

That is just a start of a very long list of potential areas that need addressing. I could add a lot more.

Response by SFC Michael D. made Aug 6 at 2019 10:07 AM

SFC Michael D. — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 10:07:01 -0400

I have actually seen several times on the news that they have caught someone before the act due to monitoring social media. If we can get that beefed up, that would be good. Also as people that are out there. Keep on alert. Keep your eyes open. Don't be the wildebeest grazing on some sparse grass while a pack of hyenas are sneaking up on you. I refuse to be a victim. I keep my head on a swivel. Don't dismiss anything that you may think is out of the ordinary. Investigate and report.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Aug 6 at 2019 10:32 AM

SFC Pete Kain — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 10:32:15 -0400

reopen the mental institutions and don't be afraid to use them . just that we have some of the criminally insane in jail should be a huge red flag . Quit worrying about hurting feelings, you can and will recover over being butthurt death is a little harder to overcome.

Response by Cpl Mark A. Morris made Aug 6 at 2019 10:47 AM

Cpl Mark A. Morris — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 10:47:38 -0400

Good morning 1ST.
To me, most of the mass shooters not alined to a religion appear to have emotional/mental issues and they strike out without fully understanding the effects of their actions. Our cultrue seems to be a cooker of this type of individual. Video games/movies, lacking in deep relationships, and lonely can play a part in what we have seen this past week in America.
Our culture has been under attack for over 50 years now. Technology helps it move faster to something shallow. We have sowned the wind and now reap the whrilwind of many will lack love.
Islamic terrorism can be defined as terrorism without using the term Islamic. But that is PC. The true truth about Islamic terror is it is sactioned by both houses of Islam. Shia and Sunni in the Koran by Muhammad's (the perfect man) words. Islamic terror is global and supported by Mosques, Maddrassas and Imam's preaching in jails. Islam plays it's role in destruction of western culture very well. It is going to do what it has done for over 1400yrs.
Bringing in Islam is to help the destruction of culture. The love of many growing cold helps the destruction of culture. Porn, drugs, lack of family, lack of belonging and Moloch worship speed the last nation state to go down the New Age rabbit hole of do what feels good, you are your own god.
Have a great day 1ST.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Aug 6 at 2019 11:25 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 11:25:52 -0400

Stop making them famous

If you commit mass murder your name, Face, identity should not be published until after the trial

Stop giving them the attention they seek

After that get rid of the free fire Killzone’s so-called gun free except of course for the criminals with guns

Stop forcing lawful, trained Americans from carrying there concealed weapons because they have to go to work or visit on a government installation

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Aug 6 at 2019 11:43 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 11:43:40 -0400

I'm hoping and wishing and praying for the day when we get over our fascination for and against guns and have some intelligent discussion working together to define the problem and implement effective solutions. Maybe yours is one. Maybe not. Sadly, we're not ready for it. Not yet...

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2019 12:03 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 12:03:06 -0400

More shoes...along with more "thoughts and prayers".

Response by SGT James Murphy made Aug 6 at 2019 12:17 PM

SGT James Murphy — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 12:17:54 -0400

It's becoming apparent that the El Paso Shooter was a Leftist Nut.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Aug 6 at 2019 3:38 PM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 15:38:08 -0400

I agree that the dark web needs monitoring and that action should be able to be taken. We are also allowing parents to abdicate responsibility for their underage kids who take weapons out and use them on others.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Aug 6 at 2019 3:43 PM

LCDR Joshua Gillespie — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 15:43:31 -0400

Here are my solutions...no guarantees anyone's going to like them:

1. Stop emasculating young men- I love women; I'm married to an amazing woman. Respecting women doesn't mean we have to dilute masculinity. Boys need to be taught how to be positively aggressive...given outlets for it, and taught what is, and what isn't appropriate behavior as a man.

2. Get control of our schools- Being a kid has always been tough; I'd sooner repeat all the military training I ever went through then re-do a semester at high school. Still, it's become much, much worse since our day. Put these kids in uniforms; why? Because they are there to learn, not "express themselves". Pay good teachers good salaries and empower them to maintain order. MAKE the students sit down and learn. Teach skills, not ideologies. If you can figure out how to manage a budget, that will do more to elevate your status than anything you'll learn in about philosophy.

3. Far from restricting ownership of firearms...encourage more firearms (and associated skills) training- Bring back the firearms safety classes to schools and summer camps. Offer reduced premiums on home/ business liability insurance, or a tax reduction for proof of completing a firearms or trauma course, or installing a weapon safe. Make is easier for ranges to operate in all states...enact reciprocity for state-issued permits in all 50 states.

4. Secure high value targets such as schools, venues, etc.- Maintain a fifty to one hundred yard exclusion zone around events and patrol it regularly. Install locks, cameras, etc. at fixed locations. Train the populace to be self aware...it may just lead to self-rescue.

Response by SSgt Christopher Brose made Aug 6 at 2019 6:49 PM

SSgt Christopher Brose — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 18:49:08 -0400

I think back to the Parkland shooting. It seemed like everyone knew the shooter was a loose cannon, literally "a school shooting waiting to happen" in the words of at least one person who knew him. School authorities knew about him, but were dissuaded from doing anything because of Obama's school crime reduction program, which essentially reduced crime statistics by reducing the reporting of the crimes that would bump up the stats. Yes, I'm putting part of the blame for the Parkland shooting on Obama. Plenty of blame to go around on that one, though. The County Sheriff's office knew about him but did nothing. The FBI received at least two reports about him and did nothing. And of course, the deputy on site hid himself and established a perimeter rather than hunt down the shooter when lives were being snuffed out.

No matter what good ideas people come up with, they're not going to be effective if people in the position to do something do nothing.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Aug 6 at 2019 7:09 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 19:09:56 -0400

Our operating reality is the police cannot arrest you and charge you for an uncommitted crime. The courts cannot try you for a crime you did not commit. Even with a possible early engagement, there is not a lot the system can do as it sits today.

What we need is a system that is more willing to pursue felony charges against youth's (tried as adults) and adults who are violent and possibly dangerous instead of pleading charges to lower misdemeanors and the like. We know a felony conviction will land in the databases and stop a weapons sale. It will also keep people on the law enforcement radar.

Too many times there are violent kids that turn into violent adults and they are babied along the way by a system that does not want to smack them with a felony charge. Both the Parkland shooter and the Dayton shooter had multiple opportunities to get hit with a felony and tried as adults. The system is failing us.

Felony convictions are what we need to get on violent people, early and often. Could they steal a weapon, yes. Could they buy one on the street, yes but these crimes could also get them arrested and another felony conviction.

The FBI has had reports made to them on more than one occasion. Frankly, there are more leads than they can run down. Reporting is like pissing in a wet suit. It give you a warm feeling but no one notices.

We are pussyfooting around with dangerous people and others are paying with their lives.