Do you really need to ask that question? Please remember: guns don't kill people.

Someone was obviously pissed off, 36 shots? damn........

no guns don't kill people -- people kill people, usually CRIMINALS and all the gun restriction laws in the land will NEVER stop that.

Shot at 36 times..OVERKILL it was, even NYPD isn't that bad (yet).

Unfortunately "the hood" eventually finds its way into "tight knit" neighborhoods.

Dotties girl, when will you and the rest of the bone-headed pro-gun activists ever come around to acknowledging the fact that it's PEOPLE WITH GUNS that kill other people. For chrissake, get real for a change!

who would do such a thing, and why?

Okay.

Someone who enjoys killing young girls.

Someone who likes making others feel agony.

Someone who gets off on murdering teenagers.

Someone who hates gays.

Take your pick.

It was a rhetorical question, people.

Dotties girl

and how many more people would be killed if we didn't have gun restrictions in place? Just sayin. Maybe these girls would still be ALIVE today if a gun wouldn't have made its way into the hands of a monster. I support the 2nd amendment, but I don't think our founding fathers had forecasted this kind of ignorance among americans

This is terrible.... I can't believe sometimes what has become of our society.

I've had guns for years.... you know what... ITS THE GUNS.

Let's face it, the laws haven't kept up with the increase in the abilities of the guns bad guys can get. Tek-9s... drum fed... semi-auto (fast)... barrels that don't overheat easily... more reliable ammo...

That's how they shoot girls 36 TIMES. ITS THE GUNS. NEW LAWS would RESTRICT THE MANUFACTURERS. No, bad guys wont follow new laws...., but you can restrict the reload capacity, and the cyclic rate. Additionally, you can put serial numbers on the shell casings so the rounds can be TRACED BACK TO THE PURCHASER.

WE NEED BETTER LAWS, AND MORE LAWS or this will happen over and over and over and over and over.

NO Dotty, It's hard to waste a crowd of people with a six shooter revolver. GUNS DO kill people... they are part of the equation.

Let go of your dogma, and think about it a little. Compare the leathality of a revolver to a TEK-9 with a 30 round clip.

We need to reduce the firing rates, and the capacity of all guns. We need traceable ammo. If you shoot someone, there should be an evidence trail that allows tracing of the shells TO THE PURCHASER. Not so hard to implement.... Law abiding citizens shouldn't mind this either.

If you shoot someone, there should be an evidence trail that allows tracing of the shells TO THE PURCHASER. Not so hard to implement.

I agree. However, how often are bullet shells left at crime scenes? They are for some guns, I know, but are they for all guns?

Hello ElkMeadow,

I believe ALL semi auto guns eject a shell casing. Only revolvers hold the casing in a cylinder.

Simply tracing shell casings from the purchaser to the crime scene would help the police solve almost 100% of criminal cases. (in my view)

Bruce, This is a tragic story and with all due respect: Yes all semi-autos eject shell casings. Registration #'s on brass would just drive up the cost (Something drug dealers/gang-bangers are not too concerned with) and anyone with half a brain intent on committing a shooting would just tie a plastic grocery bag or a "brass catcher" over their illegally-purchased gun's ejection port. CA (where I live) already has some of the most strict gun laws in the country and residents of many areas here can't even legally order bulk ammo online. Even rimfire .22LR rifles are limited to 10 rounds here. Owning a magazine capable of holding more rounds is already a serious felony. So is having an unsecured gun in a vehicle, near drugs, etc. So is murder. Guns cannot be uninvented. While all of my firearms are kept locked up in a safe with trigger locks and manufacturer-supplied brackets that slot into the open chamber and block off the magwell (They're all triple-locked) and I store my ammo elsewhere like a responsible owner, I guarantee you I could take $200 cash, drive across the bridge into Oakland and illegally purchase a cheap-quality semi-auto handgun with the serial #'s filed off within 1/2 hour. Which without an FFL and a 10 day wait would, again, be a serious felony. As I stated this is a tragic story and I feel for her family and friends, but It was noted in a local periodical that Bobbie was frequently seen in East Oakland with known gang members. She and her friend were likely targeted by rival gang members and within the next week or two I expect there will be some more retaliation killings. By FELONS who cannot legally own guns or ammo. In a state with already strict gun laws. Welcome to Oakland.

@JackBNimble1....people with CARS kill other people, people with KNIVES kill other people, people with ANYTHING THEY CAN LAY THEIR HANDS ON kill other people....get it??? It's the PEOPLE!!!

It will always, and forever be, the people who kill others. Who do you think is holding the gun? Who sought out the gun? Even armed robots killing people would be a person's fault because everything about that robot was brought to fruition by a person! Guns don't just get up and go out and shoot people on their own feet.

There is a black market for guns, and criminals who want to buy them. You can pass all the laws you want but people who really want a gun, will get one. Why put law abiding citizens at a clear disadvantage?

Get a grip gun haters, it's NOT the gun, it's the person holding the gun that bought/stole the gun, and pulled the trigger.

Will we ever learn? 2500 years of civilization and we do these things and generate these headlines and this shocked reaction every single day. And the "liberals" and "conservatives" can't stop their hate-filled shouts in each others' direction. Maybe, one day, mankind will learn to move forward, and not backward into hatred, stupidity and barbarism. May these little girls rest in peace. Merry Christmas, everyone.

Who would do such a thing

Obviously someone with a gun.

Jackbedumb- It doesnt matter how the person was killed. Someone wanted these girls dead and if they didn't have a gun then a knife would of done the job. Stop blaming shootings on guns when it takes a damn human to pull the damn trigger. Its people that commit crimes not the weapons they use. You anti-gun pricks drive me nuts. How about stop trying to restrict my rights that I fight for and we fight together for more strict punishments. Forget years in jail awaiting trial, then years sitting on death row. Once arrested and sufficent evidence is gathered to prove the suspect is inicent/guilty; convictions of 1st degree murder should be punished by death in the same way they killed the victim right after trial.

This is sick! the person or people who did this obviously knew these girls! You don't kill people with such violence and clearly rage unless there was some major emotional connection to the girls. These poor little girls, such a waste of life. May God open up his loving arms and caress these young souls. RIP.

36 shots? the shooter(s) clearly knew these girls...

I hope this was not a case of these girls YOLOing it up and their only wish is to Die Real - and then they got their wish.

It's not just a song, it's entire mentality of some people...and I only hope they reap what they sow.

I sincerely hope this was a case of these girls just being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or pissing off the wrong person by being themselves (read, not wanting to be thugs or gang members)...not that it makes it better, it just doesnt make it worse.

Primerdust...very well put and sadly all too true. Law abiding people follow laws but the criminals don't and making it illegal to own guns will only prevent law abiding citizens from protecting themselves. Our public service budgets have been cut so drastically that calling for police usually takes 3 to 4 hours for them to show up unless there is someone on your property brandishing a weapon. Still, by the time they show up a few minutes could mean your life. Home invasions are on the rise and the best deterrent is the cock of a shotgun on the other side of the door. I, as a single female, was told by a 93 year old lady that it was the best protection and she's right. It's already worked for me several times. The criminals are much more likely to stay away from you if they think you might fight back. And the reality is, if they step into my house I will protect myself. It is my right. The police cannot be everywhere at once there just aren't enough of them.

The girls were Oakland's 114th and 115th homicide victims of the year.

"the neighborhood is described as tight-knit, and not a regular spot for violence, the newspapers reported."

Just a bit of a disconnect in these two statements!

Thanks for the predictable reply NJK85. How much you want to bet that if the person who committed this crime came after the girls with a knife, one or both of them could have escaped and lived to see another day? You gun-toting idiots drive the rest of us nuts. And before you pull out the "cars, knives, and baseball bats kill people" argument, remember that those items are not created specifically to kill. Guns are and they don't belong in the hands of every person on the planet....

Crankenstein, please keep in mind that you haven't had the same experiences as everyone else. Hopefully you will never be in a situation where you feel the need to protect yourself when a gangbanger is holding a stolen gun (or anything for that matter) in your face. The "right" situation may change your views on guns around. The people with anti-gun views that I have talked to in person are typically very sheltered and have never had to worry about crime in the area that they live. Not saying this is always the case, this has just been my experience. Also calling everyone that has a gun an idiot is an ignorant generalization. I believe the point that the "gun-toting idiots" are trying to make is that a baseball bat, knife, ect. WILL kill somebody even though they were not created specifically for that purpose. Take away a criminals gun (even though it wouldn't be registered anyway) and he will do what he is going to do with a lead pipe. As others have already stated, increasing gun laws is going to have no effect on criminals but limits the rights of law abiding citizens. With the kind of overkill in this tragedy I don't think the weapon would have made to big of a difference. Somebody wanted these poor girls dead and I think they would have found a way, gun or not. Have a good day.

I dont think crankenstein is advocating the complete eradication of firearms, IMO I think the premise here is more "control" of firearms. I have no problem with that, we need to make laws much stricter.

Yep, they don't call Oakland the black hole for nothing in the NFL. Might as well relabel the whole city, the black hole.

cmt751: You do realize that most people BORN in Oakland have NO means by which to move, right? These teenagers didn't chose to live there, and thoughtless comments like yours only indicate that you have had the priveledge to never be forced into such circumstance.

Agree svauez, kids born there have no means to leave. In fact, they may not even know anything else about where to go.

You Are Correct. California is on it's way Down Down DOWN. It is a place where demons dwell.

Gee... can't imagine why it would be going down the drain??

The news crews are being attacked in Oakland and are asking for police protection. One crew actually had their camera stolen DURING a live broadcast. Unbelievable.

I know. I thought the same thing.

I, immediately, though that they were still 'out' from the night before...(because of their ages).

I had a job at that age where I had to be in at 5 am. Some kids get up early and are responsible. Let's not infer things that aren't stated in the article.

You might have, but I HIGHLY doubt that BOTH of them had any reason to be up and out of their houses at that time of the morning... the pot calling the kettle black.

TImes may have changed (and I grew up in the neighborhood around ARROYO HS) but when I was in HS BAnd practice was at 7AM and I would bet some kids had to leave by 6 to be on time. My point being just because they were out of the house at 6 AM does not automatically make them bad kids.

And, suppose the moons made of green cheese, all babies fall asleep counting sheep, every rich person secretly wants to give away their millions...geez, the pots now screaming at the kettle...you keep putting in your own 'opinions' while telling me not to do the same. Seriously, time to get over yourself.

Maybe they both worked together at McDonald's or another place. Maybe they were involved in a personal relationship with... boyfriends/girlfriend of jealous gang members... It could go both ways. the point is, we do not know what they were doing at 6am. That is for the investigation. What we do know is IT IS HORRIBLE that another 2 lives were lost barely after they begun. It is a sad but all too frequent occurrence these days. You both have valid points and that is what discussions are for. We respectfully acknowledge each others points and move towards conclusion thru investigation.

I agree with you.This was tragic but it appears a drug deal gone bad.This young ladies parents moved her out of a bad area but she just had to go back.

Nice exploitive headline MSNBC.....hardly any facts, leaving the door wide open for conclusive speculation.

red and cleaning lady, you don't know anything about it! You're just making up stories.

Maybe... or maybe they were on the way to work (like I did at that age) and someone tried to kidnap and rape them, but they fought back and got killed for it. Casting judgement without facts is a slippery slope, people.

i totally agree with your comment, too much speculation and judgement before facts are made public. I disagree with drug deal gone bad because someone was being very brazen by firing that many shots. MO would point to anger/loss of control def.

But I do not know anything except how sad this is and the rest is speculative.

the only thing I will mention is that at the same age I had a job while in school at Mickey Dee's. On weekends I had to be at work from 6:30am to 3pm on weekends. It is not a stretch to think the girls did the same thing I did. A co-worker would pick me up before our shift and ride together. All of your other points are on target tho.

This def had revenge/hate/anger in it. Not just a random 36 shot shooting. Someone wanted one or both girls dead. Def.

Your comments are true but not likely.This is Oakland California,a city where the gang banger's thrive.People in Oakland claim that Jerry Brown cleaned that city up when he was mayor but all that happened was high end homes were built in gated communities to keep the riff raff out.

Not usually on Sunday mornings. We occasionally had basketball practice that early on Sunday mornings then would go to church as a team but that wouldn't explain why they were hanging out at a park. We would sneak out and stay out all night at that age. You never think it is going to happen to you. You are invincible as a teenager and you know best.

WOW, talk about the heavy hand of guilt being pressed down on that parent for the rest of his/her life. You seem to have more info. Links would be appreciated.

I, as a father, would never tell my children to GET OUT after a heated argument. Just asking for trouble sending teenagers out ESPECIALLY at crazy hours when they obviously are stressed out and angry no matter if I was right or wrong in argument with child. Ouch, reading your comment made the story that much more tragic and sad for me... so preventable.

Know education???? That is just one of the many errors in your post.

When you write a post blasting the uneducated you might want to write it as though you are not one of them.

"...in most cases are uneducated, and come from parents that also have know education and they came from parents that have know education. Get The Picture. ..."

(Yes. Twice in the same sentence; no what I meen?)

Just a quick observation.... I hope you do not work for a law enforcement agency... :| Watching too much True Crime on TV can give u twisted views... and as far as education....

You said.... and come from parents that also have know education and they came from parents that have know education.... and you also mentioned statistic. one statistic or would you say maybe more?

not smart to talk about not being educated for other people and then proving it in your own statement. should we expect you or your children to shoot people soon? also, the abc with check under it is called a spell check. it will help you in the future. Your point would be taken more seriously if your comment did not come off the way it did. no offense meant.

and I decided that your comment is already taken care of. you said if enough citizen get involved... well, you are the citizen. understand. one, no plural. so you have done what you asked for. a citizen is involved.

i don't mean to harp on this... but i found it unfortunate that you ended your comment with LOL as if any of this is funny. I do not find one bit of this story funny. Actually, as a parent I find it heartbreaking.

Again, no offense meant.

Before you lambast someone's education or lack thereof, you may want to be sure you can write, speak and comprehend correct grammar yourself. No=negative, not, lacking. Know=knowledge of, understand, recognize. Now to work on your pluralizations and singularizations when referring to a singular subject such as your comment "but the statistic point the other direction" you should write this as "but the statistics point the other" or "but the statistic points the other".

I'm not trying to be mean, but it is really beginning to worry me that our citizenship no longer knows how to spell, write, or use grammar. What is happening in our schools, that basics taught from 1rst grade to 6th grade are no longer being learned?

Is anyone else crazed by the many comments people post using words like "loosing" instead of "losing" or mixing up "there, their, and they're"?

Maybe my school was the only one determined that the students left it's halls and classes knowing the actual English language.

Ban handguns.

These girls were white. There is no indication whatsoever that drugs were involved. At this point, it appears to have been completely random. So those of you making assumptions might want to back down just a bit.

Also connected to youthful ignorance. But that may be a politically incorrect statement nowadays.

Shhh, don't let that get in the way of the anti-gun crowd here. They have it all figured out.

No guns in the hands of icky civilians would have meant those two girls would still be alive and trading hello kitty stickers as we speak. Magazine restrictions would mean they would be ok and eating ice cream. Bullet tracking technology would mean the girls would now be listening to the latest Justin Bieber song.