Victim Disarmament Zones and Ideas to Prevent Mass Shootings

[mlmpetert]

Every mass shooting since 1950 where at least 3 people have been killed, except for one, has taken place in a “gun free zone”. Does that scare anyone else????

http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/335739/facts-about-mass-shootings-john-fund

9 Potential Mass Shootings That Were Stopped By Someone With A Personally Owned Firearm

I personally believe its rare a mass shooter specifically targets a gun free zone for committing a killing spree in order to easily kill as many as possible (save for Sandy Hook); although I think it’s more than reasonable to assume that the safety/control of the location (for the shooter) is often factored into the decision of where he commits his rampage. And not surprisingly, when you look at the most horrific and deadly mass shootings it’s impossible to dismiss the fact that almost all of them are at places where individuals are not allowed to carry firearms (schools, malls, designated areas of military bases, churches, post offices, govt. buildings, etc.). Gun free zones don’t work. They may reduce the amount of gun accidents, but only at a cost that is far greater and consequential. The reality is that gun free zones are actually victim disarmament zones, at least in our society.

We live in a country with limited morals and where being famous is glamorized, treating people like shit and bullying is the norm, mental illness is commonplace, hateful speech is free speech, ownership of firearms is a protected and cherished right, and extreme violence has become desensitized through media, video games and movies. Most importantly we live in a country where I cant envision ANY of those things changing for the better anytime soon.

So because our societal issues are here to stay and will likely get worse in time, what do you think can be done in the near future to reduce mass killings? No liberal or conservative idealist type BS, but what do you think are some real solutions that can actually help prevent mass slayings?

I say this partly because I think the whole “let’s do something about mental health laws” is a VERY tricky thing that isn’t going to produce many results. You’re talking about possibly violating a whole bunch of individual liberties and rights when you start tinkering with mental health laws and rules. I think some mental health things can and will change in the near term, but I don't think they are going to have a significant impact in keeping deadly weapons out of the hands of the deranged.

I have 2 suggestions that I think can actually happen in the near term that could also have a meaningful impact on reducing mass shootings/stabbings/attacks:

1) Allow people to carry firearms for personal protection in places where guns have traditionally not been allowed.

I’m not saying every teacher should be walking around with a gun on their hip starting tomorrow. At this point I think caution should be used towards social “sensitivity”, and that additional safety requirements and mental health reviews should be required. I think different organizations and areas should be able to enforce basic firearm carrying restrictions that are unique to their needs/social climates. Meaning it may make sense for an authority figure at a school to only conceal carry, while any officer of an Naval shipyard can open carry. Likewise, a teacher open carrying in a Montana HS may be easier to digest than a teacher doing the same in a elementary school in Maryland or California.

2) Media blackout of who the shooter is and why he did it.

We do this for victims of rape and sexual assault in order to make it easier for those victims to come forward. Why cant the media jointly agree to stop providing any details / information about a shooter? Or for that matter any criminal that commits a horrific crime if there is even a remote chance they are doing it for notoriety or to be memorialized in some sort of sick way? For the idiots that need to find out the identity of a killer or his manifesto, I’m sure they will be able to find the info on the internet, but at least the image, name and reason will be removed from the consciousness of the general public.

What things do you think can GET DONE in the next 5 or so years that will actually have an impact on reducing mass killings?