Mass Shooting at Virginia Tech

33 confirmed dead and 21 or more wounded as a gunman opened fire at Virginia Tech University this morning. The gunman, apparently carrying two 9mm handguns killed multiple students in a dormitory around 8 am est this morning. Two hours later, he again opened fire in a classroom building across campus killing countless more. The death toll is up to 33 from reports by Fox News.

This is a horrible turn of events and to be honest really pisses me off. People ask me sometimes why I carry a gun. This is exactly why. However, this would not have done me any good had this been at my university. The Oklahoma Self Defense Act may allow to me carry a concealed handgun, but I cannot carry it onto university property.

After a tragic event like this, people tend to look for blame. Who’s fault was this? In my eyes it lies solely with the cowardly ass that shot innocent unarmed people. That is obvious, but others will point the finger elsewhere as well. It is already apparent from the media coverage and press conference that the media is aiming for the university and their lack of “security.” The fault here lies with the law makers that keep law-abiding, armed citizens from protecting themselves at universities across the country.

Below are quotes from a new story explaining the failure of House Bill 1572, a bill that would allow for the carry of weapons by permit holders on college campuses. HB 1572 didn’t even make it out of the subcommittee.

Virginia Tech spokesman Larry Hincker was happy to hear the bill was defeated.

“I’m sure the university community is appreciative of the General Assembly’s actions because this will help parents, students, faculty and visitors feel safe on our campus.” –Larry Hincker

Congrats Larry. All this did was unarm the prisoners of this lunatic. You removed their choice, their right, to defend themselves from assholes like this guy.

Last spring a Virginia Tech student was disciplined for bringing a handgun to class, despite having a concealed handgun permit. Some gun owners questioned the university’s authority, while the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police came out against the presence of guns on campus.

The proof is in the pudding. CRIMINALS DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOUR DAMN LAWS. THEY ARE CRIMINALS. This relates to the point of having “No Concealed Weapon” signs on business doors. All you are doing is keeping out law abidding citzens with a GOVERNMENT ISSUED permit to carry a weapon. No criminal is going to see your sign and turn back and disarm. Your laws are not going to stop the criminal from committing the crime. Stop taking the right away from your citizens to protect themselves and their loved ones.

As I stated before, people will look to place blame. When you think about what happened today, put yourself there. Read the following and commit. Do NOT become a victim.

The nature of a mass shooting is the ultimate expression of human predator vs. human prey.

“I just decided not to be a victim. In an instant.” — Lance Thomas

From Oregon to Arkansas to Pennsylvania to Virginia, there are some common threads to all of these horrifying events. While we can argue the need for more police or armed citizens or gun control ad nauseum, the one thing that will ALWAYS be necessary to prevent such extraordinary tragedy is a willingness to resist.

Do not waste your time arguing over who is responsible. Do not waste your energy trying to convince those in charge that they are wrong for denying you legal access to a firearm. Instead funnel all of that energy into developing the righteous indignation that will result in the will to resist this type of cowardly aggression. It is inconceivable that a single individual armed with a pistol can overwhelm 10 times his number unless those individuals choose NOT to resist.

The presence of a firearm alone is not enough to deter violence of this sort. Only an individual or group of individuals determined to resist can do that. A firearm in the hands of a coward is merely a nuisance in this scenario. A firearm in the hands of a determined, skilled, and capable individual is the other hand, the savior of multiple lives.

All is not lost without the presence of a weapon in this scenario. There are countless examples of willing individuals thwarting armed individuals with nothing more than their bare hands.

In a potential violent situation, make the certain determination not to do whatever the suspect wants you to do. This may include feigned compliance until an opening presents itself, but sometimes you may not have this opportunity and be forced to create your own. This may include fleeing or diversion. It may include standing your ground and fighting and possibly dying. However it is imperative that you not acquiese and mandatory that you resist in some way.

Heroes will die some day, possibly today. Victims die every day of their lives.

Resistance is often the determining factor in how survivors recover from traumatic incidents and frequently those that do not resist in some way but still miraculously survive, live with post traumatic stress than makes their lives unbearable.

Resistance on the other hand, reduces the effects of this type of post traumatic stress. Don’t rely on a suspect’s mercy. Ever. The nature of their crime indicates that they do not regard society’s ethos in the least. Their initiative sentences them justly to whatever the righteous man does.

Make a commitment at this moment that if you are ever faced with this type of violence, that you will resist.

God Bless the family and friends of those fallen. My prayers are with you all.