Hey Sifu Davis,

Today there was a major shooting at Virginia Tech. Seeing that I'm off to college in September, I kept thinking about it. I don't know, I know for sure that if there was some sort of shooting I'd try to run, but that guy killed and injured so many people! I don't know what I'd do. What do you think?

Wei Lin

Don't think about it. If it happens all you can do is all you can do. If you are confronted you have to act so act but don't dwell on this. Lance works for the post office and I have to deal with the post office on a daily basis as well as my employees and customers so I/we undersatnd stress. I am not thinking what if someone goes "postal". I will take the action that is needed to protect myself and my employees. Something like this can happen anytime anywhere. Trust in GOD most of all then trust in yourself to do what is right and what is needed.

Kent

Several years ago there was a shooting at the Law school of Appalachia. Two students went to their car, got their guns and subdued the shooter. Only 3 people died in that shooting as opposed to over 30 this time. And this was the SECOND shooting at Virginia Tech THIS YEAR! Virginia has a concealed carry law, but Virginia Tech has insisted that this doesn't apply to their students. The Virginia legislature was trying to pass a law to extend conceal carry to students, but it died in committee. I USED to be for gun control, but Iquestion that position now. Had faculty members at that school been armed and not afraid it seems to me that the death toll wouldn't have been as high.

Regards,

John M. Drake

Or the death toll could have been higher if a shootout occurred between the gunman and faculty or whoever else is allowed to carry a gun. Not everyone who carries a gun is good with it. The possible barrage of stray bullets could have taken down more people as they tried to get away. Allowing unrestricted carrying of firearms is not the answer to a situation like this. An entire population of trigger happy vigilantes will only make things worse.

and/or colleges do not allow weapons on campus. Unless you are in law enforcment or the military a regular student is not allowed to carry. they can keep them in their cars. I would say that to carry on campus they (the college) could have the campus police certify those that wanted to carry and make sure they really knew how to use the firearm. I am not saying they have to be experts just basic knowledge. When I was in school I carried even before I was in law enforcment; I just covered mine with a jacket or shirt. But if you are a citizen of that state you should be able to carry at the local college.

Sifu and I were talking about something similar to this, the highjackings of 9/11 and how we would have rushed the highjackers and what we could have used as a weapon or how we could have attacked and defended ourselves. That led to us discussing what if some turd tried to rob the resturant we were in and how we would respond. I know as a former deputy when I go in a place I go into read mode. I read the people, the room/area I am in, look for exits, doorways etc... Always have a plan of action. Whether it is attack, run, hide or stop drop and roll; have a plan.

Kent

Hey all,

Well you are right, there is nothing to dwell on.

Your viewpoints on gun control are very interesting - I live in California so I only hear one side of it. Hearing the other side is very enlightening. Something to ponder...

About 9/11 hijacking, if you guys saw United 93 (i think that's the title) you'll see how the people overcame the terrorist. It's a really good movie and you get really into it. Very inspiring.

Wei Lin

It goes without saying that if you purchase a gun you need to train with it just like if you purchase an automobile you need to train with it. That said in the cases where there have been shooters and there were other people armed in can not think of a single scenario like the one you've described. Not just the Appalacia university shooting where armed students subdued the shooter, but there's also the case of the high school principle in Mississippi who went to his car and got his rifle and stopped his school shooting and the "tower shooter" in Texas years ago where citizens kept a former marine sniper pinned down with rifle fire until a Texas ranger managed to sneak in and take him out. The worst shootings have always taken place in settings where nobody was armed. If you have a counterexample please cite it.

Kent, you're right. The reality is that most college campuses only allow criminals to carry guns. One thing that is legal is wearing personal body armor. Here is a website that sells not only bullet proof vests, but bullet proof jackets, briefcases ect. Stuff you could wear on a college campus without drawing attention to yourself.

http://www.bulletprooflove.com/products.html

There weren't any prices listed, but if you're concerned for your safety spending a few thousand on a bulletproof sport jacket might not be a bad idea.

Regards,

John M. Drake

good point with the vests and other stuff. If you do buy one go for the highest level you can afford and if you can get the titanium plate(s) as AP (armor peircing) rounds are common now days and the ceramic will shatter. Seen it myself.


Kent

Thanks for the info! I had assumed that ceramic plates were the best thing going since (from what I've heard) that's what's being provided to the troops in Iraq. (Considering that they at one point were up armoring their own Humvees I guess that doesn't prove anything.) What's the weight difference between the ceramic and titanium plates? I did a little research today on body armor. There seems to be some interesting stuff coming down the pike with carbon nanotubes and non Newtonian liquids.

Regards,

John M. Drake

Hey John

The weight is roughly the same. The ceramic plate will stop regular ball rounds but can and often shatter with full metal jacketed rounds or with mulitple hits from them. They work real well for shrapnel. The AP rounds will blow it to bits. The ceramic is cheaper as well. I have not heard of liquids being tested/used but I have heard of a new kevlar type material being tested.

My .223 pierced a class/level 4 vest and shattered the ceramic plate with a AP 55 grain bullet at about 25-30 yards. We were on a short feild. it did stop the regular ball rounds and slowed down the full metal jacket rounds.


Kent