Friday, October 28, 2011

South Carolina Shooting Shuts 10 Schools

One more example of why and how the access to firearms compromises the freedom and safety of others.

From the AP and MSNBC.com:

10 S.C. schools locked down after shots fired

Police search for gunman who fled traffic stop; no reports of injuries


updated 1 hour 8 minutes ago
A gunman fired on a police officer checking on a suspicious license plate Friday, causing 10 schools nearby to go on lockdown, though some began reopening their doors after a couple of hours.
The shooting happened around 10 a.m. at an apartment complex, police spokeswoman Alia Urps said. The officer returned fire and was not hit. It's unknown if the suspect was hit. She was unsure how many shots were fired.
The suspect was able to run into nearby woods and hasn't been seen since. Several dozen officers who happened to be in a training session nearby rushed to help search, authorities said.
"We're asking everyone in the area to stay inside until we determine the area is safe," Urps said.
She said an officer checking on tags in a hotel parking lot discovered that one tag was listed for a different vehicle. When she went inside the hotel to inquire about the driver, the suspect got in the vehicle and fled. The officer got back in her car and tried to pull the suspect over, but he sped up, and she abandoned pursuit, Urps said.
"We do not pursue for minor traffic violations," she said.
Another officer found the vehicle in an apartment parking lot, and as she approached, the suspect shot at her, she said.
Officers with the Greenville County Sheriff's office, the State Law Enforcement Division and highway patrol are also participating in the search, Urps said.
Four public schools, three private schools, two colleges and a special education center were placed on lockdown.
School were locked down in several different directions, because the suspect got away from officers and they weren't sure where he went
Officials said it was a precaution and none of the students or teachers appeared to be in danger. Schools began shifting to a partial lockdown, allowing some people into and out of the buildings after about two hours.
The shooting happened in a fairly densely populated area just south of Interstate 85.

8 comments:

  1. One terorist with a gun can shut down a city.

    Hell, People have shut down entire regions of the US.

    And not just once.

    That is terrorism.

    Any proper anti-terrorism agenda should include gun control.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Laci The Dog;

    Aw, c'mon dude. You know if them schools were filled with armed teacher, students, administrators, healtchare workers, janitors and DARE officers that the world would be a safer--and much more polite--place.

    The NEW 3R;s, Readin', Ritin, Revolvers!

    ReplyDelete
  3. If your standard is that we must have a society in which schools are never closed, then you also have to ban fuel trucks, circuses with lions, snowstorms, and on and on. We cannot make society completely safe, without making it a place in which those who love liberty could not live.

    ReplyDelete
  4. If you think circus lions make you free you are an idiot.

    If you conflate guns with snowstorms, you are an idiot.

    We can and should ban private ownership of lions, because they are dangerous to others; see the recent tragedy in Ohio, caused by - oh yeah - a gun nut.

    We can control and regulate the safety of who does and does not have firearms and how they are used. Not perfectly, but we can do better than we do now,and not only be free, but be MORE free and more safe from people like this shooter.

    You have a fantasy notion of what is and is not freedom. That is not the vision of our founding fathers in creating this country. You are not free because of personal firearms; that is a false argument. Free to do......what? Shoot somebody?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Greg, although I don't agree with Dog Gone that you're an idiot, I do agree with her ideas about gun control. And I feel that comparisons like the ones you made are foolish.

    As a gun-rights person, I think the only valid argument you have is that the downside of gun availability is outweighed by the upside. I would disagree with that, but at least it would be an argument that makes some sense, unlike the circuses and snowstorms point you made.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mikeb302000,

    Your article suggested that we need gun control because one shooter temporarily caused the shutdown of a number of schools. My point is that we can legislate safety, but when we make life too safe, it ceases to be worth living.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Greg Camp:

    "Your article suggested that we need gun control because one shooter temporarily caused the shutdown of a number of schools. My point is that we can legislate safety, but when we make life too safe, it ceases to be worth living.

    October 31, 2011 5:59 PM"

    Um, show your work. I'd need to see some sort of evidence to support that assertion.

    If you're suggesting that we can't keep people safe from every potential harm that might come to them, I'd certainly agree. Keeping idiots from easily obtaining guns is hardly rocket science, nor is it overly restrictive. It is prudent. We don't let blind people drive, we don't let the mentally impaired drive; but, according to the logic of the Type 2A's, we should allow people who have a demonstrable inability, physical or mental, to own, carry and use firearms. Sounds pretty stupid and selfish to me.

    ReplyDelete
  8. C'mon Greg, this is a bit silly.

    "when we make life too safe, it ceases to be worth living"

    I think I know what you mean, too many restrictions would not be worth the benefits.

    I disagree with that for two reasons. The restrictions we propose are not onerous. And, the benefits would be well worth it.

    ReplyDelete