What a bunch of lunatics!!!!

Carry all the time. Cause when seconds count, the police are mintues away. In this case, hours away.

This could have be stopped if some of the teachers and responsible students had been allowed to carry.

The wolf had was free to kill the sheep because the sheep took away the sheepdogs ability to protect the sheep.

The sheep forgot that the wolf is still out their waiting and they became afraid of the sheepdog.

Stupid sheep!!!

Hemenway could not be further from the truth in this article. Ironically, Hemenway was not able to cite any sources backing up his claim that more firearms equals more violence. In fact, the exact opposite has been proven true time and time again. The FBI Uniform Crime Statistics, published yearly, give clear, accurate, correct statistics supporting the fact that states with fewer firearm restrictions and less restrictive CCL legislation experience LESS violent crime. Whether the crime was related to a firearm or not, the rates are lower as compared to states with more restrictions and bans.

Take a look at Florida, according to the FBI, once Florida passed legislation allowing concealed weapon permits, the state homicide rate fell from 36% above the national average to 4% below. Go look for yourself, that is, unless you are afraid the results of your research prove gun-grabbers are wrong and their statements unfounded.

The anti gunners have to get their head out of the sand, and see the world as it actually is.
These poor students were easy prey to a man armed with a gun, and knowing that guns were prohibited on campus.
The solution to these school shootings, is not the fetal positions that the victims must assume now days, but a two handed shooting stance with their LEGAL conceal carry firearm aimed at the intruder.

Eric
Minnesota

Massachusetts have the strictest gun laws but have had the highest increase in gun deaths since the laws were passed. There's been an explosion of murders in Boston & Dorchester since then.

I question the claim that more guns in the area may mean more violence. But if it's true, are these legaly obatined guns? How do they find out how many guns are in an area? Are the numbers provided after police seize them or is it someone on the street conducting a poll and asking people if they have a gun? The coverage buy all of the news orginizations on this part of the story has been very poor. There are more important things to be thinking about than gun control right now.

You bet. It made VT very safe indeed

Ah so its freedom to kill. What demented logic!!!!!!! No wonder US is acting like a cowboy around the world. Its home grown

Its seems to me that this result of American gun culture. I have no sympathy. What about Iraq? Does the western media do a wall to wall live coverage of killings in Iraq where hundreds get killed including children. Its a shame that we place more value on American lives than Iraqi lives

We should be ashamed of our so called western values

I think the columnist gave too much time to Hemenway's thoughts, by comparison Mr. Pratt.

This is common sense to me. If you're a criminal, particularly a cowardly one, ready to prey on children and the defensless, not wanting to face a formidable opponent, where are you going to go to do your damage? Somewhere that you know you will face the least resistance, like 'gun free zone schools'

If you know that the of-age-legal students, older adult students, faculty, peripheral staff, all are unarmed, then you figure you can go for awhile with little resistance.

Hemenway's book on gun violence is the single best source out there. Some of the confused folks posting here would do well to read it. It is long since time for rational gun policy in this country.

It's so sad waking up in the morning and hearing yet another record has been broken many young victims lives have been taken away and the shooting rates keep rising an all-time high... But yet thats what we keep hearing on the news in canada and around the world. "ONLY IN AMERICA" you have the right to carry a gun? don't ask just shoot and ask questions later.. Canada where the shooting rate is unheard of, and if there is a shooting, it usually relates back to a gang from New york. But if you were to ask an American citizen who's their to blame and point fingers they would most likely say something about the large multicultural society, but then you can look at a city of Toronto where 2.5 million and surrounding are of 6 million live and is the worlds largest multicultural city in the world. where could you even find a gun in canada? simply guns are just not aloud in Canada.

There's no nice way to say it: Prof. David Hemenway is a liar. It is simply irrefutable that those states and cities with weak gun control laws have less crime and fewer murders than those that don't. Those with tough controls, like DC, New York, Baltimore, etc. have much higher rates of homicide. States with higher per-capita legal gun ownership have lower crime rates, not higher, and the same goes for those state that allow concealed weapons permits. Prof. Hemenway must know this, and so he must be a liar.

Craig Phillips: Are you not even aware that Canada has had five school shootings since 1975. And yet you ask, where would one find a gun in Canada?? Are you a complete idiot?

Lets see how many ways ABC can slant this against responsible gun ownership. Great job on flipping the lack of CCW on-campus as Rick Boucher's fault.

ABC, you are a joke. But thank you for the laughs.

You know what is rediculous? That all of your are so quick to blame one another and to argue with eachother. Instead of doing this we need to come together and make a change in our world. There have been many tragedies in the United States and instead of fighting with eachother, we should be coming together. Maybe this could help our world be a better place. We have so much going for us if only we could get along and come together.

Sorry, I have no intention of putting my safety in someone elses hands EVER again. When I was in college at Penn State, me and a couple friends got held up at gun point and we could do nothing but sit there and pray. Afterwards, we went and told the cops, ...just like we were supposed to... they promptly ignored us. Now I have a permit to carry. ...F the lazy cops

the blood on the murdered victims are not yet dried and you guys are already arguing about guns....shame on you

like i said if everyone was aloud to carry guns it would equalize the playing field....guns are the equalizer of all men and the sound of freedom.

For example in countries like Mexico guns are completly illegal, yet theres still gun crime.

No school shootings in Oregon? Anyone remember Kip Kinkel who shot up his Springfield, OR high school? Sorry, but your statistic, like your logic, is full of holes.

I just don't understand how some people can seriously believe that strict governmental control of firearms will stop violence, or even prevent guns from being acquired and carried--- by criminals or by otherwise law-abiding individuals. What naivety. What absolute wide-eyed idealism. Weed is illegal, crack is illegal, etc. But how easy is it to get? Tremendously easy. And who do you think will be the main people that will be willing to have illegal weapons? Criminals. Isn't that just so bleeding obvious? This whole incident is an example of the reality of these ideas. One person with two guns can kill 32 unarmed, defenseless people with no opposition. To carry on the gun-control logic, we should take the weapons away from our military, in order to end all war. Nevermind that all enemies of this country won't abide by those rules.

Insanity.

This is neither a pro-gun or anti-gun statement, I'm just interested to hear what people have to say. Why is it that the US is so much more violent than other 1st world countries? Yes, I know that violent acts occur in the UK, Japan, etc..., but at a MUCH lower rate. And please don't mention a 3rd world country like Somalia as a comparison. I am talking developed nations only. What is it with the American culture that makes us so different?

how about ABC News do some research on Prozac before trying to jump on the ban the gun story like ABC News always does.. pathetic that you would take a horrific day at VT and try to use it for your leftist political gain.. disgusting.

If just one student was carrying a weapon. He/She could of stopped alot of the unfortunate deaths.

It is true that if only one person had a gun, they could have stopped this madman.

From a logical standpoint it only makes sense that if a number of "normal" students and faculty had firearms yesterday that the outcome would have been much different and the mourning, pain and loss of parents, friends and victims would not be anywhere near what it is today.

The shooter in this case apparently walked into a gun store, passed all the requirements for gun ownwership within minutes, and walked out with his weapon. Does anybody else see that is a little messed up? I'm not ready to say all guns should be banned, but give me a break. There has to be a better system for determining who is "responsible" enough to own a gun. Could he have gotten a gun through illegal means? Maybe. But in this case, it looks like the system we have in place failed completely.

Take a look at other countries which have strictest gun control. For example, how often do people in Hong Kong hear about campus violence related to guns? I guess none.

Pray for the victims and families

Guns were made to kill people.
They are not for protection.
They do not save lives.
More Guns means more death just look at the middle east.

Gun free zones can only operate correctly in a utopian society where everyone follows the law...In this case everyone but the shooter did so. Wake up call to "gun free zones". A wise man said he who sacrifices his liberties for safety will soon have neither. Be vigilant. Better to be tried by twelve than carried by six.

Why do people keep defending guns as a tool? Guns don't kill people people kill people? Absurd logic.
A gun is a weapon used to kill people. IF everyone carried, then simply more people would die from them. You carry a gun to kill people that's what its for and that what happens.

I believe in the constitution from one end to the other, our fathers fought hard for our rights, if there had been armed guards on the campus he would have thought twice before entering to kill anyone, instead he was like a kid in a candy store without adult supervision, he knew no one would be able to fight back, and he had free pickings, My Thoughts and Prayers are with the Family's of the Victims, May God Bless All the students and faculty of the Collage.

FYI- VA Tech policy is total firearms ban on all campus property even if you possess a concealed carry permit. Unless you are a law enforcement officer, you may not possess firearms on campus. You will be fired or expelled for carrying.... Yes, campus police carry.

VA Firearms law- Legal handgun purchase requires 2 forms of ID, State police background check, ATF form. Only one handgun may be purchased per month. more than that requires a concealed carry permit. More ATF forms if one wishes to purchase 3 or more.
Concealed Carry Permit requires extensive background investigation in VA.

Hey, Reality...
Switzerland. Every household owns at least 1 firearm.

if the prozac ridden student had driven a car into a group of students would you all be for banning cars as well?

When was the last time a disturbed individual entered a police station and opend fire? When was the last time a disturbed individual forced his way onto a military base and opened fire? There's a reason for this, those sites contains police offices and base security who are armed and will defend themselves and others if required. We've seen time and again where "Gun Free Zones" turn out to be "no resistance zones".

What if HB 1572 had been passed in 2006 and one of those students was carrying when this madman began his rampage. How many could have been saved? How many more will have to die before we realize that disarmament does not bring peace, it invites those who prey upon the unarmed. What if one teacher in Columbine was armed and allowed to defend the lives of helpless children. How many more times will we ponder... what if?

PUT CONTROL ON GUNS......Last year high school girls were killed and this year college students now whats next?

Yea(responding to KEVIN, what he said.

All points seem valid, yet unimportant to the theme. The only solutions is laser cats.

Well you've set my phasers to stun. A rational voice wandering the land of make believe. You are most welcome here. Feel free to let your hair down.

We are the most violent country in the western hemisphere. Just look at the statistics of other countries who have gun laws and have virtually no violent crime. Duh! Only the police and the military should have automatic weapons.

more guns means more deaths. London is one of the biggest cities in the world with 18 million people. The city also has some of the toughest laws on gun ownership. In the past year, gun related homicides in the city was only 46. New York alone which has half the population London does (8 million) had nearly 600 hundred gun related homicides. There needs to be strict gun control laws in the U.S. We are going to sit around and scratch our heads on what to do to prevent these incidents; while within the next year incidents like yesterday's will probably happen again. There must be absolute strict laws on gun ownership in this country.

In Parker v. District of Columbia, the DC Court of Appeals, regardless of the mentioning of a militia, upheld the Second Amendment as a right of the people. The First Amendment does not mention the Internet, cable television, video games, etc., yet free speech in all of these mediums is virtually a sure thing save for the restrictions set by the FCC. The Second Amendment states that the rights of the people to own firearms shall not be infringed. Now, keeping in mind public safety, I'm not arguing against the need for some checks. However, legal ownership of automatic weapons is already highly restricted. It takes a very thorough background check, a $200 tax stamp, and the funds to even buy the weapon. The Firearm Owners Protection Act forbids the general public from purchasing automatic weapons manufactured after May 1986. Due to decreasing supply from breakage and increasing demand from collectors, prices for even the simplest Sten submachine gun is in the $8000-12000 range. The fact that the weapon was semiautomatic makes no difference. A revolver, using speedloaders or moon clips, can be reloaded with extreme speed with practice. Probably the only way to slow reloading down would be to go back to the old days of the cap-and-ball revolvers loaded one at a time with black powder, such as the 1851 Navy. A concealed carry permit, which is what the group is advocating, comes with a significant responsibility regarding use of the weapon. Speaking from a Florida-CCL perspective, even brandishing the weapon is a crime for which one can be arrested. It is a last resort, when one cannot retreat or do some other action that does not require deadly force. Some training is required to obtain the Florida license, but it is not the high-speed tactical training that the general public probably believes should be mandatory. The training is usually limited to legal obligations and basic operations of the handgun, e.g. loading, unloading, press checking, etc. There were no loopholes this time. The killer made a deliberate effort to conceal his plan. He bought two firearms, even waiting the month after the Glock 19 to buy his Walther .22. He had no prior criminal record, so the NICS check would have failed. If he could wait a month, a three day waiting period would surely have failed as well.

My heart goes out to the families and friends.

No mention of the correlation of psychotic kids and anti-depressants.

The scrawny messed-up kid for whatever motive his loser mind invented, murdered a horrid number of other humans and now selfish opportunists will want to exploit the occasion and deviate and focus on root cause.

Maria?
“I am not American, but love this country for all that has given me. Have to say that cannot understand the fascination of this country for weapons.”

Well Maria, if you were an American or paid attention to any American history, you would know that fighting by brave Americans FORMED THIS COUNTRY, freed other countries, defeated Communism, etc.

For every evil soul, there are a far greater number of brave men who will stand up for right. Think thousands of other students should be able to defeat one scrawny foreign gunman? Think they should be entitled try? It’s not only a Freeman’s right; it’s an American’s duty.

This is more the result of 50 years boys being taught passivism and integration. How so many grew up to be politicians.

I don’t care where in the world you live, self protection is a individualistic responsibility. No surprise that a country full of folks who can’t wipe their own cheek, cook, service a car, think would rely on someone else to invent some retro active law that doesn’t not address one single aspect of the psycho itself.

Stay tuned for the next tragedy. Me? I will continue to train and practice to protect myself and others around me. I am not going down like that. Who knows, maybe one of you crybaby pacifists will be lucky enough to have my company. In the mean time, I promote the right for every good human to be able to protect themself they way they see fit.

lee above wrote "can any one of you morons explain to me why there is a small fraction of the gun violence in europe where there is much stricter gun regulations.
no, i didn't think so."

GREAT IDEA! Let's follow Europe's lead, ban guns, and legalize prostitution. We'll have less violence because people like the perpetrator in this case will be able to actually get laid once in awhile!

Judy,

Please refer me to the statistics that back-up your claim referring to "We are the most violent country in the western hemisphere. Just look at the statistics of other countries who have gun laws and have virtually no violent crime". Both England and Austrailia suffer from a sharp increases in violent crime since the ban of firearms. What had dropped is violent crime where a gun was used by the perp. Violent beatings, stabbings, rape and other violent crime is still way up from when subjects were allowed to defend themselves.

Here in America, Washington DC, Chicago, California, Massachusetts for starters. All have strict gun control laws, and none are what I'd call paridise. Washington DC has one of the nation's highest murder rate. They have a strict gun ban in effect. Same with Chicago.

As to this remark, “Only the police and the military should have automatic weapons”. Please define “Automatic Weapons” for me. No Class III weapons were used here in this crime. The perp used semi-automatic pistols. Why should the police and military be the only ones that are allowed arms? The people of North Korea and China have been unarmed and live in fear for the past 50 years. Russians and Eastern Europeans were unarmed and lived in fear for 50 years. Germans in 1935 were disarmed and 6 million+ were unable to fight back because the people were at the mercy of the police and military.

I just have to say that guns should be outlawed. Except for military personnel and these guns should be tracked. No surplus should be made. And now lets wait for someone who posts next to be the one to say that people kill not guns. Usually when someone make something that has the capability to kill it is made for it with the exception of kitchen utensils. Bush wants to combat those of us who want all guns outlawed, even in the military, by saying no to everything. There is no compromising. He could have done what I just stated. There can be negotiation. It doesn't have to be yes or no.

Mr. Froikin,

No Right should be negotiated. EVER.

I urge everyone who thinks more guns will make us safer to go and research countries that have tougher gun control laws. Their gun related murder rates are substancially lower that the United States.This is not the last school schooting we will witness in this country. Despite how many school shootings there has been in the past 20 years, our laws continue to make gun very accessible. For goodness sakes it is more tougher to buy liqour in some states that it is to buy a gun. Its time we tried something different to prevent school shootings. Its crazy enough that he could buy 1 gun so easily, but for him to be able to buy 2 guns so easily is absolutely ridiculous.

I like to know how many cars and trucks were sold in the last three to four weeks and the drivers drove drunk and killed people in the U.S.???? I'll bet a hell of a lot more than all the guns own in the U.S.....

This one's for Angelo. The reason that waiting periods are a bad idea is twofold. First off, you're talking about putting an administrative prior restraint on the exercise of a right. When you do that, you undermine all of the other rights, because precident is universally applicable. Secondly, while it might stop somebody who has an emotional problem and who wants to hurt somebody right now, it also denies the means of defense to a person who has a good reason to believe that they're facing an articulable threat. Keep in mind here that the courts have determined that beyond a general duty to enforce the law, the police are NOT responsible for the protection of individuals. So, when it comes right down to it, you yourself are responsible for your own safety, and I'd prefer to not have my government telling people that they can't arm themselves in their own self defense in a timely manner because they're going to be treated like potential criminals.

Actually, Bush is on record saying that he would have approved the assault weapons renewal had Congress decided to do so. As someone currently in the military, from what I've seen, many military personnel do not get a lot of firearm experience. For example, the capture of Jessica Lynch back in 2003 or so. They were captured because they failed to maintain their weapons correctly. Assuming that someone had military or law enforcement experience does not mean that they are proficient with weapons. Practice, practice, practice, coupled with good training, make for responsible gun ownership.

I like to know how many cars and trucks were sold in the last three to four weeks and the drivers drove drunk and killed people in the U.S.???? I'll bet a hell of a lot more than all the guns own in the U.S.....

-whoever posted this is dumber that a rock. I don't agree with anything that causes death, drunk driving included. I am saying make it tougher for a madman ro get a gun. How would you feel if a family member of yours was one of the dead. I am not saying that tougher laws would make all gun deaths go away, but what I am saying is that it will limit the rate that our children are dying in school. A place they should be safe.

laylow, ive never had to fill out a 3 page long form and a state police registration form and then wait for a complete background check to be done so i can buy a six-pack. maybe you should do a little research.

Crazy!

Other countries have had shootings like this and introduced dtrict gun control.
Result? With almost NO exceptions, NO MORE SCHOOL KILLINGS.

In contrast the US allows people to have guns at a whim. Result? These killings are frequent.

You can make theoretical arguments all you like, but the facts speak for themselves.
But the gun lobby is too powerful. Your right to bear arms is more important than your children's right to live.
God forgive America

Virginia Tech prohibited its students, faculty and staff from bringing their licensed and lawfully concealed firearms onto the campus. This guaranteed a safe environment for the gunman who was able to murder 32 disarmed and defenseless victims.

For all you liberal hard heads out there: The solution for remedying a failed policy is not more of the same failed policy. The policy of banning guns on VT’s campus obviously didn’t work so it’s time to change it.

The reason this tragedy occurred wasn’t because of the availability of handguns. It was because of the “gun free zone” around the campus. If Virginia Tech had allowed people licensed to carry handguns to bring their guns to school or with them on campus there might have been only 1 dead person instead of 32.

By definition criminals don’t follow the law. If a criminal has no problem breaking laws pertaining to murder which carry the death penalty or life in prison, then he will have no problem breaking a law making it illegal to bring a gun on campus. The practical effect of “gun free” zones is to disarm the law abiding citizens and leave them at the mercy of violent criminals.

"After this tragedy, how can anyone NOT advocate the outlawing of semi-automatic weapons?"

/Sarcasm on/

Yea that's right! Lets ban firearms! If we make them illegal then no one will be able to buy them. After all drugs are illegal and you can’t buy them. ... Hey wait a minute!

/Sarcasm off/

"Also, I am 100% sure college students will try to go to class packing a gun, just in case. They should release the grisly head shots of the deceased. We need to see what damage any gun does. But that will never happen."

There are plenty of battle hardened vets going to school that served in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan that already know what head shots look like. I should know, I'm one of them.

Your point is irrelevant anyway, even students who are wet behind the ears will find out the damage a bullet can do if some psycho starts plugging their classmates. And in that case I'm sure they’ll be glad that they brought their gun "just in case".

It's better to have a gun and not need one; then to need a gun and not have one.

Guns don't kill people. People kill people. Is that so hard to understand? All you Anti-gun supporters/Pro Gun Control, what would you do if you were held at gun point? Cry and beg not to be killed? How would you defend yourself? Talk them in to "putting the gun down" or "not shooting you"? Yeah--very smart. Maybe if you were put in that situation then you'd really consider changing your view on Gun Control.

Can anyone remember the last time there was an attack on an Israel school ?.NO,and why you might ask.It is due to the ARMED teachers that will fight to defend THEIR students.They can choose to be unarmed if they want,but some are armed and willing to stop the killings.It seems the anti-gun crowd is jubilant over this,would they be just as happy if he did not get a gun and used gasoline to burn 100 to death,or would they be happier if he could only kill a few with a knife and bat ?.The problem is HIM,the killer not the means to kill.We live in a free society and there will always be the means.So now what ??.Give the victims the means and thr RIGHT to defend themselves - IF they so choose,now thats freedom.25 years LEO,so I am not speaking out of my butt.

My previous statement was perhaps too much of a blanket statement. The infantry guys and all Marines are fanatical about weapons maintenance to the point where they clean them before taking care of themselves.

No guns on campus, that is the law at VT. The killer did not obey the law and the law abiding victims had no way to protect themselves.

If other students were more students carring guns do you really think this guy would of killed that many students.

I don't think the fellow defending the rights of sane citizens to keep and bear arms went far enough. Not only should faculty be permitted to carry pistols, they should be trained and paid. Of course, on a volunteer basis. The sad truth is that the police do not and will never protect you. If you think for a moment that the police will protect you it is evident you have not had much occassion to call them. In this instance an armed teacher could have saved dozens of lives! Think about it! Gun laws only restrict the law abiding, who are not the problem anyway!

No country with strict gun control laws has a dearth of gun crimes: Mexico is plagued by drug gangs with automatic weapons; Britain has had a surge in gun crime and brazen daytime burglaries since its gun ban, as has Australia; political murder in Russia is rampant, despite strict gun control. Guns are TOOLS of criminals--they WILL get them. Ban guns from law-abiding society, and get ready for Armageddon . . .

Mike Cook and all the anti-gunners that toss around all the 'gun deaths'... Guess what? Close to 80% (FBI stats) are criminals shooting other criminals!
NYC & DC have the toughest gun laws and the highest crime rate in the country. Chicago runs a close 3rd. GET A CLUE!
Police have NO DUTY to protect you. Go ahead - Ask around. Read "CALL 911 AND DIE".
I choose not to be a victim. Persons living uneder a total gun ban are victims, not citizens. If you want to live in a total gun ban, move to Darfur. Look whereit got them!

I agree with just about everything i've read here so far. The police historically have been a step too slow and 2 strides shy of ending any school shootings themselves. Any fool can anylize the reports of previous school schooting and find that the majority have ended with the killers commiting suicide, or as previously stated, a professor/teacher ending it. I have never read of any sort of succesful police involvment in any school shooting.

I am a college student in Texas who legally has a concealed carry license, but I NEVER carry on campus for fear of being arrested. I have always thought about what would happen if a school shooting were to happen at my university. I'm not even aware of any protocals in place dealing with shooting events on campus, though now i'm sure there is somebody in a dark valt digging through ancient school documents looking for them.

I used to work for the campus police department and therefore interacted with the officers on a daily basis. Based on these interactions I feel as though the officers (god bless them) would fail misserable when put in a high stress, fast paced gun battle.

I have always held the belief that my well being and safety is MY responsibility first! The police ultimatly hold a responsibility for my safety second. And I can only hope that the federal and state governments open their eyes and see that these "gun free zones" are really "fish in a barrel zones" for cold hearted murderers!

The right to defend myself should never be obstructed by a government ly agency!

Obviously in my above post, Scotland was seperate from England and Wales in the study by the UN. They are all part of Britain, as you will know.

I think more than gun control the underlying causes of such tragedies need to be looked at. Guns are but the means. If a person uses house hold products and purchases from a hardware store, to create a bomb should we then regulate those items? I don't know if it is great scruitny of depressed or troubled persons or more therapy, but the causes of such anger, of such built up rage, must be examined for any regulation to be effective.

It's funny you mention the nuclear weapons. When was the last time the entire world was at war? The MAD theory explains the situation perfectly. Before you dismiss it, it has worked for the past fifty-plus years, and it has mathematical reasoning behind it (referring to zero-sum gaming, which I can't come close to understanding). While a famous anti-nuclear weapons activist once compared the blocs to adversaries comparing the matches they held while standing waist deep in gasoline, it also stands to reason that no sane person would want to light that match (caveat: sane. The shooter was not that.) Nuclear weapons aren't going away. Neither are guns. In fact, Beretta of Italy, I believe, is one of the oldest industrial companies in the world.

Set politics aside for a moment and just consider the facts and logic regarding mass shooting situations. There are no feasible options for PREVENTING a determined "gunman" from initiating his plan, regardless of how strict our gun laws may be. You or I, or our great grandmothers, could initiate a killing spree if intent on doing so.

Our ONLY option to minimize casualties is to quickly neutralize the threat. This can only be accomplished if the threatening force is met with an equal level of force. The obvious conclusion is that some other individual(s) in close proximity to the threat must have ready access and means to the necessary terminating force. Our ONLY solution is to increase the probability that a "gunman's" actions will be terminated by the actions another. Our only chance is to discontinue the nature of enviroments to be "Gun Free Zones" and to promote the nature of individuals to have the capability of using terminating force.

If you give $100 to a person, are they more inclined to use and spend the money, or are they more inclined to put it into a savings account?

Now think of the same situation but change the money for a gun.

Let the hunters have their guns. This is not about hunters.

Look at the tv, how many news broadcasts start out with murders? How many people are killed each year with guns?

People now say that this tragedy was just an isolated incident and has now led to the debate of gun control.

What do the families say who have lost loved ones? Do they say it was just an isolated incident? What about all the other victims in the country of gun violence. Do each of the families just reside themselves to the fact that each death was just an isolated incident? Should a three year old conceal and carry? How can you protect against a stray bullet? When I heard of a little girl getting hit by a stray bullet it makes you so sick to think that someone so innocent has been attacked and hurt. You hope and pray that something in this world will change but somehow it just seems to get worse.

The problem is that guns are too readily available. It is very easy for people to purchase guns through straw purchases. And these are people who should defiantly not have access to guns.

If you put more guns out there with a conceal and carry law you don't stop those who are inclined to misuse those weapons you just make more sales for a strong NRA and gun companies. We as people don't matter only money does.

The more cars you put on a road the greater the chance of accidents. The world is not a safe place but we must not live in fear. Rather we must use our better judgment and take away items that are so inherently dangerous, and I'm not talking about cars you could substitute anything in place of cars, it is a metaphor.

It is now how do we accomplish this task and allow sportsmen and women their rights to hunt in a responsible manner.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those who have lost loved ones.

All I know is that pro-gun, anti-gun, whatever -- the LAST people on Earth that need to carry guns are Americans.. full f'in stop. Chew on that some geniuses.

I find it EXTREMELY disturbing that,as usual, the media who are the first to shriek "First Amendment" are so willing to destroy the Second Amendment which is the ONLY guarantee of the Constitution. If you have no way to physically enforce a right then the "right" is available only at the whim of the powers that be. For those of you out there that don't want to carry a weapon, fine! I'm more than willing to once again shoulder the responsibility for my own protection and the safety of those around me should the occasion arise. I did this in Viet Nam in 1973 and am willing to do it again, but unfortunately, the government doesn't mean to let me and the gun-banners want me to be at the mercy of those who will carry illegally.

Cho Seung-hui was a responsible gun owner - until monday morning, where the very fact that he possessed several guns allowed him to kill 32 students.

The fact is that until a person choses to become criminal he is by US law etitled to own firearms - and when he then choses to become criminal it is too late to restrict that persons access to them.....

Guns do not kill people - they just makes it all to easy.....

BJ, you've missed it. I own guns but I don't generally hunt. I do target shoot and I do keep them for self defense. Your discussion of protecting hunters ignores about sixty percent of the gun owners out there. These days more people are arming to protect against carjackings and home invasions than they are to go whack Bambi or Donald Duck! So it's not about that. Your typical CCW holder these days tends to be female, which makes sense when you consider the kinds of crimes perpetrated against women.

What it is about is that gungrabbers are a class of people who want to dumb freedom down to the level at which they'd feel safe with the least trustworthy among us. And when you do that, you get one big, fat open air prison. And funny thing, seeing what happened to the English since they've passed their ban, is that when you treat people like a bunch of convicts, they tend to start acting like them.

Yesterday, an idiot killed 32 people. But some 60 million Americans who own guns didn't kill anybody. Yet you're talking about imposing infringements on rights over what in the end, however horrible it is, is an anomaly. And there's no way that I or most anybody else is going to support political moves to punish us for things that we weren't responsible for.

While you're mulling over that, consider this. Protection from crime consists of deterrence. And real deterrence only occurs at the point of contact between the criminal and his proposed victim. And that was something that clearly didn't exist at Virginia Tech. The perpetrator of that mass murder knew that everybody on campus except the cops were gonna be unarmed. So he chained the doors and then he went in to start his grisly acts. If Virginia Tech's Administration hadn't opposed the effort to exte