Texas assistant DA shot to death; at least one gunman sought

View more videos at: http://nbcdfw.com.

Updated at 7:24 p.m. ET: An assistant district attorney in Texas was gunned down Thursday morning in what appears to be a targeted attack, police say.

Kaufman County Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse was shot multiple times while walking from the parking lot toward the county courthouse at about 8 a.m. local time, officials said. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he later died.

When asked if Hasse appeared to have been targeted by his attacker, Kaufman County Sheriff David Byrnes said, "I would say from all appearances it is. But we have no concrete information on that. We're pursuing every avenue right now."

NBCDFW.com

Authorities investigate the Kaufman County Tax Office drive-thru after a deadly shooting on Thursday.

"We suffered a devastating loss today. We lost a really, really good man. He was an excellent friend and a spectacular prosecutor. He will not be easily replaced. He will be sorely missed by everybody in the office," said Kaufman County Criminal District Attorney Mike McLelland. "I hope that the people that did this are watching because we are very confident that we are going to find you, pull you out of whatever hole you're in, bring you back and let the people of Kaufman County prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law."

Chris Aulbaugh, the Kaufman Chief of Police, said no official arrests have been made in connection with the shooting but that they are following up on several leads, including multiple witness reports from various angles around the crime scene.

Agents with the ATF, FBI, the Texas Rangers and State Troopers from the Texas Department of Public Safety are at the scene assisting local and county law enforcement with the investigation.


Also on NBCDFW.com: Friend of slain asst. DA speaks out

Police said witnesses have reported two shooters wearing all black, one or both of them possibly wearing a tactical-type vest, and driving an older, silver Ford Taurus. Aulbaugh said they have not yet confirmed that there were two people involved in the shooting and if the shooter(s) were wearing a tactical jacket as described.

Police taped off the parking lot near the Tax Assessor/Collectors office, which is near the courthouse and is commonly used by judges and prosecutors. Officers later expanded the taped-off area to include two city blocks. Several streets around the courthouse and parking lot are closed as the shooting is investigated.

Investigators said they were not aware of any threats made toward Hasse and that they didn't know of any cases that might explain the shooting, but that Hasse was aware of the dangers associated with his profession.


"Mark was fully aware of the dangers of this job. He accepted them readily and was, as I said before, an absolutely stellar prosecutor and good friend," said McLelland. "Tell the people that they have lost an outstanding man who will not be easily replaced."

Eric Smenner, a friend of Hasse's, told NBC 5's Scott Gordon that while it was too soon to say what may have led to the shooting, Hasse had dealt with cases involving methamphetamine in the county, gangs and white supremacist groups. He described Hasse as a hard-working lawyer who "loved to tell stories" and often put dangerous criminals behind bars.

Tonya Radcliffe, a board member on the Kaufman County Appraisal District whose office is adjacent to the scene of the shooting, said a staff member heard the gunshots and called police. Radcliffe said she and her staff of about 25 are in the building and under lockdown.

Also on NBCDFW.com: More coverage on this story

During the early stages of the investigation, a hospital, several schools and county buildings, including the Tax Assessor/Collector's office, were locked down as a precaution. With Thursday being the last day for people to pay property taxes without a penalty, officials advised Kaufman County residents that they could still pay taxes using the county's pay by phone option or make payments in person at sub-courthouses and drop boxes.

A 36,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the gunman is being offered with $10,000 coming from Kaufman County Crime Stoppers, $10,000 from a local Kaufman business and donations continue to pour in from local businesses. As always, tipsters may remain anonymous.

Anyone with information is asked to call Kaufman County Crime Stoppers at 1-877-TIPS-KCC.

NBCDFW.com Editor's Note: Greenville ISD was under lockdown due to a search for robbery suspects. The lockdown was not related to the Kaufman County shooting.

NBC 5's Randy McIlwain, Scott Gordon, Ken Kalthoff, Keaton Fox and Deborah Ferguson contributed to this report.

Discuss this post

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Comment author avatarBob FreebirdExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

Another reason why knives need to be banned.

  • 15 votes
#1 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 11:54 AM EST
Comment author avatarDon GiacomoExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

Yes, if more people there had guns things like this wouldn’t…………This was a courthouse with dozens of armed police. Why didn’t that stop that man from getting shot? Why didn’t those criminals get shot? (they couldn’t have been honest citizens that got mad). The NRA told me that this wouldn’t happen!!!!!!!!

  • 61 votes
#1.1 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 11:59 AM EST
Comment author avatarCreek DogExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

Don,

The NRA told you huh? Maybe that's because of your personality and your outlook on them so basically, you were "targeted". Heh heh...... The Guns aren't going away.

Fight fire "with" fire. It's the only way.

Unless of course, I hear a "really" good point from an anti-gun person. You know, something that really works outside of the same old, "Ban Guns" BS.

OK,.....I'm listenin'.............................

  • 37 votes
#1.2 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:08 PM EST

I favor bow and arrow; give the victim a sporting chance.

  • 12 votes
#1.3 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:18 PM EST
Comment author avatar55plus40Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

Guns should NOT be banned!! We could, however, register them like we do our cars, boats, off road vehicles, eta... and increase the penalties for anyone who carries without registration.

  • 38 votes
#1.4 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:19 PM EST
Comment author avatarTired-of-itExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

Let it go...

Just a couple of good ole boys out huntin'...

PEOPLE!

  • 13 votes
#1.5 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:23 PM EST

For the five billionth time there are no proposals put forward to take away anyone's firearms. Why can't you people make an honest argument? Your thinking is neanderthalic. Better translate that for you - it means "like a cavemen" in simpleton terms.

Some of us will never own a gun. Try to put a bullet in my brain if you don't like it. Guns are for whimps. Just a big stick to make up for your inadequacies. Very few of you would want to deal with someone with my background without your guns.

OK....I'm listenin'

Clearly you are not listening to anyone but talk radio, the NRA and the Far Right. Your superior attitude is totally laughable.

  • 49 votes
#1.6 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:24 PM EST

Annie-322924

I like my guns & I like my bows. I think I will keep both.

  • 17 votes
#1.7 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:27 PM EST
Comment author avatarDCKeene123Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

Creek...why is banning guns BS? We have the most guns, most violence with them, therefore, time to repeal the 2nd amendment...or at least take all the crazy automatic and semi-automatics off the streets.

  • 18 votes
#1.8 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:29 PM EST

Tactical nukes with background check.......... (sarcasm)

  • 10 votes
#1.9 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:31 PM EST

DCKeene213 do you even understand the term semi automatic?

  • 13 votes
#1.10 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:34 PM EST

Semi....means it fires after every trigger pull. So what, at least 100 rounds a minute?

  • 7 votes
#1.11 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:37 PM EST

We have the most guns, most violence with them, therefore, time to repeal the 2nd amendment

Good luck with that. We can't even pass a Budget.

  • 28 votes
#1.12 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:37 PM EST

There is no way in hell I'm giving up my gun! It looks like war out there now and the very same people the gun haters only want to be armed are the ones losing!

  • 14 votes
#1.13 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:37 PM EST

Like cars, you should be required to have a license and titles for all your guns, as well has a license renewal on the guns. We do it for cars, we can do it for guns.

  • 23 votes
#1.14 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:39 PM EST

Thank you Eric I know what Semi Auto means but the media tries to make it sound worse than it is. I can shoot 100 rounds if I take my time

  • 3 votes
#1.15 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:40 PM EST

DKeen,

So you strip Americans of one more right and enact laws to make guns illegal. How does that affect the criminals again???

  • 21 votes
#1.16 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:40 PM EST

Thank you Joe for acknowledging the carnage that could happen with a semi automatic weapon in a minute.

Try stabbing a crowd a hundred times in a minute.

  • 17 votes
#1.17 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:41 PM EST

Buy guns now. They won't be affected by any proposed legislation. No one is taking anyone's gun (unless you be loco), and no one is proposing banning all guns (except a very small percentage of people with no political clout).

  • 5 votes
#1.18 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:42 PM EST

We have the most guns, most violence with them.

DCKeene - You are only half correct. Yes, we have the most guns per capita, but we are far from being the most violent with them. Actually, Brazil and Mexico have around a 1/10th of the guns we have and much more gun homicides that we have. Brazil had over 34,000 gun homicides last year and they have a national ban on guns...whereas we had only 9000 homicides with 300 Million guns. Again...guns in America are not the problem...it's the psychos and criminals that our increasingly immoral society creates that are the problem. Tragedies like this won't go away just because we try to remove guns..the problem is deeper than that.

  • 16 votes
#1.19 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:43 PM EST

Eric is that a challenge?

  • 3 votes
#1.20 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:46 PM EST

BrainiacV

Cars are driven out in the open where Cops see them. You can see someone that hasn't registered their car right away. Do you think people like this are going to go register their guns? Or just hide them till they are needed? Here again we have law abiding people doing things the right way & criminals getting by with their unlawfull acts. Registration wouldn't help anything. How do we know that these guns were or were NOT registered? It ccould be a registered gun in the hands of a criminal. How would that help the dead guy?

  • 10 votes
#1.21 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:46 PM EST

A person is dead. Have some effing compassion and screw the gun argument on either side. Some of you guys make me sick.

  • 17 votes
#1.22 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:48 PM EST

A person is dead. Have some effing compassion and screw the gun argument on either side. Some of you guys make me sick.

People die everyday. Us not talking about guns is not going to bring the dead back.

  • 14 votes
#1.23 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:02 PM EST

Hummmmmmmmm .. Attacking persons involved in the "Justice System?"

People are angry & frustrated with their government ... Executive, Legislative, and Judicial .... and feel they are helpless to affect any change ...

I believe that we should expect to see a dramatic increase in personal attacks upon persons involved in this area .. as well as acts of domestic terrorism in a broad arena as a natural outcome of this ...

This is the primary reason for the push for weapons bans on private citizens ...

If their is a serious increase in effective acts of domestic terrorism, it will be a horrific denouncement of our internal policies & political system.

911 was a minor event compared to the devastation that could be unleashed by domestic terrorist ... imagine what would happen when they attacked important infrastructure features that our economy is dependent on ..

The shift from the production dry of fertilizer after the Oklahoma City bombing to liquid was aimed at just this possibility... to prevent the widespread possibility of such bombing from reoccurring ....

The disenchantment is spreading ... with a failing economy ..

  • 10 votes
#1.24 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:08 PM EST

Eric

If a person can fire a 6 shot revolver 12 times in less that 3 seconds(240 rounds a minute) would that revolver be an Assault Weapon?

  • 9 votes
#1.25 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:10 PM EST

Hi Slodon, you make my point why we need to ban high capacity magazines.....the answer to your question would be YES.

  • 8 votes
#1.26 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:33 PM EST

55plus40,

"This year will go down in history. For the first time, a civilized nation has
full gun registration. Our streets will be safer, our police more efficient, and
the world will follow our lead into the future!"

Adolph Hitler
Chancellor, Germany, 1933

THIS IS WHY WE DON'T HAVE REGISTRATION. IT WOULD VIOLATE OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT BY POTENTIAL CONFINSCATION.

If mental paitients can win a suit that having their medical records submitted to the govt would violate their 10th amendment rights, then registration, banning, or restricting our right to small arms is a violation of the 2nd amendment.

  • 15 votes
#1.27 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:35 PM EST

How can a militia defend Itself without practice? likely, just a pair of 'em practicing a tactical surge.

  • 4 votes
#1.28 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:44 PM EST

THIS IS WHY WE DON'T HAVE REGISTRATION. IT WOULD VIOLATE OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT BY POTENTIAL CONFINSCATION.

What part of the Constitution would it violate? If you could, please quote directly from the Constitution. Thanks!

  • 10 votes
#1.29 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:47 PM EST

Eric,

High capcity mags were banned during the 1994-2004 ban. How did that stop 152 people from being killed in school shootings? How did that stop over 230 instances of gun violence at schools where no injuries or deaths occurred? Here's an interesting stat for you.

Homicides in the US

1994-23,330

1995-21,610

1996-19,650

1997-18,208

1998-16,914

1999-15,522

2000-15,586

2001-16,037

2002-16,229

2003-16,528

2004-16,148

2005-16,740

2006-17,030

2007-16,929

2008-16,442

2009-15,399

2010-14,772

2011 -14,612

We have less homicides now than we did back in the 90's. Our homicide rate is at levels not seen since the 60's. The only difference is that now we have multiple tv's in every home, internet news, getting news on cell phones, and an anti-gun media that will highlight any shooting to push their agenda.

  • 12 votes
#1.30 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:49 PM EST

This is how criminal gangs take care of LE types in Mexico

...better get used to it, folks

  • 3 votes
#1.31 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:57 PM EST

It's time to declare the NRA a terrorist organization, bent on protecting the questionable right of irresponsible and immature "gun enthusiasts" to own pointless weaponry that is being used to murder our nation's people. Rise up against these criminals and protect our children, our families, and our communities by enacting rational gun control legislation! Now, more than ever, it is the right thing to do!

  • 9 votes
#1.32 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:58 PM EST

The purpose of the 2nd Amendment is to allow the people the ability to fight by against a tyrannical government.

A. The Federalist Papers, No. 28: Alexander Hamilton expressed that when a government betrays the people by amassing too much power and becoming tyrannical, the people have no choice but to exercise their original right of self-defense — to fight the government.[Halbrook, p. 67]

B. The Federalist Papers, No. 29: Alexander Hamilton explained that an armed citizenry was the best and only real defense against a standing army becoming large and oppressive. [Halbrook, p. 67]

C. The Federalist Papers, No. 46: James Madison contended that ultimate authority resides in the people, and that if the federal government got too powerful and overstepped its authority, then the people would develop plans of resistance and resort to arms. [Halbrook, p. 67]

D. There was no National Guard, and the Founders opposed anything but a very small national military. The phrase “well-regulated” means well-trained and disciplined — not “regulated” as we understand that term in the modern sense of bureaucratic regulation. [This meaning still can be found in the unabridged Oxford English Dictionary, 2d ed. 1989, Vol 13, p. 524, and Vol 20. p. 138.]

E. The Federalists promised that state governments and citizen militias would exist to make sure the federal military never became large or oppressive. To say that the National Guard replaces the notion of the militia runs contrary to what the Founders said and wrote.

F. The Third Amendment: Expressly restrains the federal government from building a standing army and infiltrating it among the people ...and at the people’s expense ... in times of peace. The Third Amendment runs against the idea of a permanent standing army or federalized National Guard in principle, if not by its words.

*********

CHALLENGE TO AMERICANS

As you read the Constitution and the Bill of Rights:

  • (1) Look at the enumerated powers of the federal government;
  • (2) Look at the express limitations on federal power as set forth in the Second, Ninth, and Tenth Amendments;
  • (3) Ask yourself, where does the federal government get any power at all to regulate firearms?
  • (4) Ask yourself, why don’t the high school and college textbooks devote any time to the history, philosophical basis and practical meaning of the Second Amendment?

And then consider that law students and future lawyers likewise have received precious little education about the Second Amendment.

Realize, too, that the judges know just about as little. Then imagine how little the average American knows — based on the average public school coverage of the Constitution.

The protection of our sacred right of self-defense against both petty criminals and oppressive government — the right of civilians to keep and bear arms — is in your hands.

http://jpfo.org/filegen-n-z/six-about-2nd.htm

  • 10 votes
#1.33 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:59 PM EST

Bob,

The Ninth Amendment of the Bill of Rights. Our Right to Privacy?

While privacy is nowhere mentioned, it is one of the values served and protected by the First Amendment, through its protection of associational rights, and by the Third, the Fourth, and the Fifth Amendments as well.

How about the Fourth Amendment?

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized"

Confiscation would directly violate this amendment, and would violate our right to keep and bear arms.

  • 5 votes
#1.34 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:14 PM EST

""moonbeamracer"" - put your Erection away. its obvious that this unarmed person was Targeted for murder... and they Murdered Someone who was just doing his job, and for that He was Gunned down in cold blood... this was NOT part of Some twisted sort of backlash from the American People.

so please keep your SICK Anarchist Fantasies to yourself. I hope YOU GET WHAT YOU DESERVE.

My sincere condolences to the victim's Family, Friends, and co-workers who will Grieve, and suffer the pain of Loss....

  • 5 votes
#1.35 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:14 PM EST

voxrationis

For the five billionth time there are no proposals put forward to take away anyone's firearms.

There are no proposals only because they wouldn't stand a chance of passing. Feinstein is on the record saying she would have required people to turn in their "assault weapons" in '94 if she could have gotten 51 votes-

"If I could have gotten 51 votes in the Senate of the United States for an outright ban, picking up every one of them . . . Mr. and Mrs. America, turn 'em all in, I would have done it. I could not do that. The votes weren't here."- http://www.policymic.com/articles/24126/dianne-feinstein-assault-weapons-ban-could-be-the-start-of-a-total-gun-ban

  • 5 votes
#1.36 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:15 PM EST

LookingForward's paranoid fantasies don't appear to have anything to do with regulating guns for the purpose of saving lives in our country. His cut-and-paste is, therefore, pointless and irrelevant. When will the right wing lunatic fringe learn to think for themselves?

  • 6 votes
#1.37 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:18 PM EST

@Sailcat-2064101

Rise up against these criminals and protect our children, our families, and our communities by enacting rational gun control legislation! Now, more than ever, it is the right thing to do!

Considering the dozens of your posts that I've read, I'm not quite sure you understand the meaning of the word "rational"!

  • 5 votes
#1.38 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:18 PM EST

To Creek Dog....Yes. Lets fight fire with fire....Just like throwing gas on a burning building...Then all will be well.

  • 2 votes
#1.39 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:20 PM EST

55plus40 : Guns should NOT be banned!! We could, however, register them like we do our cars, boats, off road vehicles, eta... and increase the penalties for anyone who carries without registration.

Did you ever notice that this was one of the first steps leading to every genocide in the last 100 years or so?

  • 6 votes
#1.40 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:22 PM EST

Eric

to your response about how many people you can knife in a minute.

do you remember a little thing that happened back in 911.

terrorist took over three planes with nothing but box cutters.

Worked pretty good for them.

  • 6 votes
#1.41 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:23 PM EST

Why is it that gun control suddenly turns into banning all guns? Never saw anyone in America foster the belief that we should ban ll guns. BTW people who post that old federalist papers crap wake up this is 2013 Alexander hamilton never heard of or saw an ak47 or an uzi or and ar15 in action. had he then he waould have altered his talk. Then stop and think about what the government has to bring to bear on a miltia today before you are ever going to overthrow a government. Get real the reson your efforts to thwart meaningful gun legistlation is silly and the arms mechants backers are laughing all the way to the bank. The answer to gun violence is never ever going to be more guns.

  • 5 votes
#1.42 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:23 PM EST

@Sailcat-2064101 Debunk my comments, prove they are untrue. All you have is opinions and name calling.

"All laws which are repugnant to the Constitution are null and void." Marbury vs. Madison 5 US (2 Cranch) 137, 174, 176, (1803)

"The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the land."

End of story, you don't like an Amendment, get it repealed via the proper channels (the legal way).

  • 3 votes
#1.43 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:23 PM EST

Backcountry,

Feinstein wasn't just talking about assault weapons. She was talking about ALL guns.

Also, what have we learned about Assault Weapons? They are responsible for less than 1% of crime. Responsible for less than 100 murders annually. Having one military characteristic makes a weapon an assault weapon. This makes a couple of my 12 gauges an assault weapon as they have pistol grips, collapsable stocks, and one of them has a forward grip on the fore-end. I could return all that stuff to stock parts and it would no longer be an assault weapon. Don't mind the fact that nothing within the firing mechanisim or ammunition have been altered. Only COSMETIC changes have been made.

  • 3 votes
#1.44 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:24 PM EST
NoCommi'sDeleted

Who the heck knows whether someone used their Second Amendment Rights to assassinate a "government" or if this was a personal act of murder. Lucky for us they did not use a 'high capacity' weapon and took out a bunch of others.

In Texas, mucho stuff leads to Mexico..........just saying $&$

  • 1 vote
#1.46 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:27 PM EST

Sailcat-2064101: It's time to declare the NRA a terrorist organization, bent on protecting the questionable right of irresponsible and immature "gun enthusiasts" to own pointless weaponry that is being used to murder our nation's people. Rise up against these criminals and protect our children, our families, and our communities by enacting rational gun control legislation! Now, more than ever, it is the right thing to do!

Let me guess... you're one of the guys who make a living hitting Stop & Robs.

  • 3 votes
#1.47 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:28 PM EST

Bob Freebird

THIS IS WHY WE DON'T HAVE REGISTRATION. IT WOULD VIOLATE OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT BY POTENTIAL CONFINSCATION.

What part of the Constitution would it violate? If you could, please quote directly from the Constitution. Thanks!

-------

..."the right of the people to bear arms shall not be infringed"

There ya go! If you don't understand the 2nd Amendment, you should read the supporting documents our founding fathers provided in order to give insight to their thought processes and discussions regarding their actions.

You folks here that are here whining that " we don't want ALL your guns, just some" have clearly learned nothing from history. Our founding fathers did. Additionally, those of us that are able to discuss this without basing our argument soley on emotion over an evil incident, know that when the new regulations you want to add don't stop the next criminals evil actions, you'll want more....and again, and again, and again until its all gone. We've already seen it with past gun laws, just look at Chicago, LA, DC, NY, etc, etc.

We've seen your failed arguments and laws in action for too many years, and we're done with it. Posting a "Gun Free" zone sign and writing words on a piece of paper doesn't rid the world of evil. Never has, never will.

  • 4 votes
#1.48 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:29 PM EST

sailcat, your drivel is getting annoying.

what makes you think the NRA has anything to do with these killers. why don't we ban you and your family because you have kids that might grow up to become gang members and might kill someone.

see if we get rid of you and yours right now that can't happen.

what, you say none of you will kill anyone. well you might so lets get rid of you right now. that way we know that by getting rid of you you won't do anything that's wrong and neither will any body else right?

that makes about as much sense as anything "you" have come up with.

  • 5 votes
#1.49 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:31 PM EST

@ Eric

Semi....means it fires after every trigger pull. So what, at least 100 rounds a minute?

LOL. That's not what it means.

Semi-automatic means it is a gun which is fed by a magazine (it can be a detachable or fixed magazine) & the gun automatically loads the next round into the chamber from the magazine after each shot, making the gun ready to fire again. Yes, it does fire after every trigger pull.

A revolver is not considered a semi-automatic, since it doesn't rely on a magazine to function. Yet a double action (DA) or double action only (DAO) revolver also fires after every trigger pull. DA/DAO revolvers are the most common revolvers sold.

You gun grabbers crack me up. LOL There is nothing wrong with semi-automatic firearms & they aren't going anywhere.

Slodon posted:

Eric

If a person can fire a 6 shot revolver 12 times in less that 3 seconds(240 rounds a minute) would that revolver be an Assault Weapon?

& in response Eric posted

Hi Slodon, you make my point why we need to ban high capacity magazines.....the answer to your question would be YES.

One more time Eric. Slodon was talking about revolvers (see info above). Revolvers don't have magazines. LOL

So now you want to call revolvers assault weapons? Basically, what you are saying is you want to ban all guns. Typical gun grabber.

The term assault weapon is meaningless & is nothing more than a term to scare people who don't know anything about guns. If I hit you in the head with a shovel that would be an assault weapon too.

  • 7 votes
#1.50 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:31 PM EST

If the details of the story are correct, this was probably an intentional "hit". If the shooter(s) is(are) professional - case may never be solved. Hope they bring in all the federal investigators available for this one.

  • 1 vote
#1.51 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:32 PM EST

Sailcat:

It's time to declare YOU a terrorist, bent on violating citizens' rights under the Second Amendment, and allowing criminals to prey on honest people who have lost their ability to defend themselves if you have your way. Pointless weaponry will always be in the hands of criminals that will continue being used to murder our nation's people. Rise up against terrorists like Sailcat, don't let anyone take away your weapons that provide the ability to protect your children, your families, and your communities. Stand-up against wack-job gun control legislation! Now, more than ever, it is the right thing to do!

  • 8 votes
#1.52 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:33 PM EST
Comment author avatarGeanie Tilleyvia Facebook

But it would have only been the "banned" guns not your other "bad big boy toys", that also kill and should be sufficient to "hunt or protect your home and family" with.

And since it did not pass, did not happen, stop worrying since no one has even suggested taking any gun from any law abiding citizen, even if they possess any that would be included in the ban, stop whining.

Just step up, be a real man, or real woman, and register your guns, all of them, including your name, address, phone, soc sec # and serial numbers on all guns. After all, our government already has all that information except for the registration of your gun information.

How can any of you expect our police to do their jobs when they can't even track the guns being used each and every day all across our nation to take the lives of innocent people.

If you are a true law-abiding citizen, REGISTER YOUR GUNS. You have nothing to worry about. Stop making it difficult for our police to do their jobs. Stop putting your own selfish interests for your right to own whatever big boy toy you want, without registering no matter how dangerous it is, over the rights of our police and the security of our neighbors.

  • 1 vote
#1.53 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:34 PM EST

@breadex The forefathers would not change the purpose of the 2nd Amendment. Its there to allow the people the chance, any chance of their own free will, fight against a tyrannical government, FOREIGN or domestic.

There is nothing you can say or prove otherwise that this is not what they meant the 2nd Amendment to do.

throughout history there are elected government that turned against the same people that elected them.

Mao, Stalin, Hitler, numerous African governments, etc, etc.

"Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

-Declaration of Independence

  • 1 vote
#1.54 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:34 PM EST

THIS IS WHY WE DON'T HAVE REGISTRATION. IT WOULD VIOLATE OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT BY POTENTIAL CONFINSCATION.

...

Confiscation would directly violate this amendment, and would violate our right to keep and bear arms.

Oh, you're talking about confiscation. I thought you were talking about registration. So, registration equals potential confiscation equals confiscation? I see what you did there.

  • 1 vote
#1.55 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:34 PM EST

Here you go liberals!!!! You are starving our troops because of your Defense cuts:

http://www.washingtonguardian.com/not-so-hot-breakfast

During drawdown, Pentagon cuts cooked breakfast for some troops in Afghanistan

    #1.56 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:37 PM EST

    Bob,

    Read some history books. All Hitler wanted was all guns registered. How'd that turn out for the Jews?

    Stalin was more open about disarming his opposition. Worked out pretty well for those people didn't it?

    • 3 votes
    #1.57 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:45 PM EST

    During drawdown, Pentagon cuts cooked breakfast for some troops in Afghanistan

    Is that better or worse than Republicans cutting security funding for embassies before the Benghazi attacks?

    • 1 vote
    #1.58 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:50 PM EST

    At Tinbashr

    To Creek Dog....Yes. Lets fight fire with fire....Just like throwing gas on a burning building...Then all will be well.

    Many Kuwait oil fires have been put out using dynamite, does that make you unhappy? Gasoline won't put out a fire but burning the area around a fire before it gets there will keep it contained, they use fuel for that too.

    At breadx

    BTW people who post that old federalist papers crap wake up this is 2013 Alexander hamilton never heard of or saw an ak47 or an uzi or and ar15 in action. had he then he waould have altered his talk.

    Stupid and offensive. You are talking about men who witnessed a revolution while being armed with weapons of lower build quality, accuracy and reliability. In words you might understand THE OVERBEARING BITISH GOVERNMENT HAD THE SUPERIOR WEAPONS. You suggest that our founding fathers were ignorant to the fact that weapons would evolve. The wording stands as is so it can be applied to today, 2013. Where weapons of equivalent power and capability would STILL be used to deter tyrannical governments and defend citizens. Why would they say "the feds can have any killing machine they want but citizens are limited to X"? ANSWER: THEY WOULDN'T!!!

    Now please post some stupid diatribe about tanks, nukes, mounted machine guns etc..... Nobody is talking about those. 99% of us are happy NOT OWNING automatic machine guns, we don't need them (even if we know we want one for fun). Nobody is advocating to own nukes or B52 bombers or stealth tactical fighters and apache helicopters.

    • 6 votes
    #1.59 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:54 PM EST

    @DrAlchemy Well said. I am happy as well not to own a .50 machine gun or mortar tube.

    Breadx is what would have been considered a "Tory".

    • 1 vote
    #1.60 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:57 PM EST
    Comment author avatarGeanie Tilleyvia Facebook

    LookingForward..... oh stop with the defense cuts hurting our military. This past summer the DOD said they did not ask for and did not need the increase the House was trying to give them. And are some facts for you:

    1) DOD pays military personnel much more than they would pay a civilian to do NON-NATIONAL SECURITY, such as accounting, etc. And it can be as much as double what they would pay a civilian.

    2) Near the end of their budget year, no matter how much they don't spend, and they have an overage every year, each military location and even each ship, finds ways to "spend" the overages only because they don't want to risk having the budget cut if they actually show they don't need what they are already getting (hence not asking for more). One of my children is in the military (Air Force National Guard). She also works on the base in the accounting/financial department for the base. She is being paid double what the rate would be if a civilian did her job. She also has told me of how they are ordered to purchase $600 office chairs for each person on the base along with other high tech office equipment and find a place to store it. They don't need the chairs or the equipment. They buy them over and over every year. They have now run out of places to store. And our ships even toss "extra" things over into the ocean to get rid of them, so they can be bought again in order to "maintain" current budgets.

    The DOD does a TON of NON NATIONAL SECURITY tasks and if those jobs were treated as they should be, NON NATIONAL SECURITY, then no matter who does the job, the pay should be what any American citizen would get for that job. LOTS AND LOTS OF SAVINGS.

    If any area of the DOD, base, ship, etc. has an overage from the budget any year, GIVE IT BACK. Let it be redirected to some other government area that is needing more funding. Doesn't mean your budget needs to be cut. You can have the same budget next year. If you spend it all, efficiently, great. If you have any left over, give it back. And this should be the rule for ANY government agency. AGAIN, LOTS AND LOTS OF SAVINGS.

    • 2 votes
    #1.61 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:58 PM EST

    Criminals will ALWAYS HAVE GUNS. A friend of mine is an assistant DA in our county and he gets death threats weekly....he carries...go figure.

    Criminals hate being prosecuted and seek revenge.

    • 4 votes
    #1.62 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:58 PM EST

    Sailcat;

    While we're at it let's also declare the ACLU, SPLC, NAACP, UN and the rest of the communist organizations that coddle criminals as just "misunderstood" and actively seek to destroy the constitution of the U.S. you are the stereotypical socialist brainwashed Brahman. The NRA my unenlightened friend oppose criminals with guns, they have always and will continue to advocate for harsher sentences for criminals using guns.

    Counting all federal, State, County, City and District of Columbia gun control and regulation laws, they currently number 27,738. Why does the leftist call for more laws when these are largely no enforced? It might interest you to know, Brahman, that a felon in possession of a gun is supposed to go back to prison for ten years for mere possession of a gun. Why are they not so charged? A felon using a gun to commit another crime is supposed to get a sentence three times that of a first offender, in addition to the ten for possession. Why does not the current administration not enforce these laws. They have been in effect since 1934!!! Moron.

    The same people smuggling in the drugs and people are now smuggling in guns by the truck load. The profit margin makes it doable. They have plenty, the U.S. government has been selling them to Mexico and Central American for decades. Those governments, most of whom have been in bed with the cartels for decades, then give them to friends and family running same cartels. Clinton sold 3.6 Billion in arms to Mexico, most of which ended up in the hands of the cartels.

    Extremism on either side is dangerous, only the stupid believe either side. Our politicians have only two things in common. 1. If they're mouth is moving, they are LYING to you. 2 they're only concern is money and power, and holding on to both. And yes, that includes the current resident of the white house. Eric holder is guilty of "gun walking" also spelled out i the National Firearms Act of 1934. The same act that made civilian ownership of full auto and machine guns illegal.

    Do some research you brainwashed drone, stop drinking the drug laced kool-aid and use that greatest of human gifts, independent thought and reasoning. After with drawl fro the drug induced indoctrination you will see things a little clearer. Or remain a dependent surf to those who lie to you, steal from you, commit endless atrocities in your name. I know you and the rest of the socialist crowd will still seek to destroy this country and the peoples right in pursuit of your agenda and your murky sense of the "greater good". It is what the left has been after since the 1960's when this great social experiment was commenced in the public schools.

    • 5 votes
    #1.63 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:00 PM EST

    I, for one, am pleased the internet brings accounts to our attention of how guns in the U.S. are killing and murdering innocent people every single day around the country. The more guns the gun manufacturers produce the more killings committed. And, to voxrationis, I applaud your comments above (#1.5). It's those like you and I who must keep speaking out against guns so that we can help this nation become civilized.

    • 1 vote
    #1.64 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:02 PM EST

    Why would they say "the feds can have any killing machine they want but citizens are limited to X"? ANSWER: THEY WOULDN'T!!!

    Read Scalia's majority opinion on D.C. vs. Heller. He said precisely that.

    • 1 vote
    #1.65 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:03 PM EST

    Yes Freebird he did say that. thank you for providing me with proof that the 2nd ammendment is being violated.

    Technically they already violated it by restricting heavy artillery, large guns and corresponding weaponry.

    • 4 votes
    #1.66 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:05 PM EST

    @Geanie Tilley no proof to back your statement up

    http://www1.salary.com/Accountant-I-Salary.html

    The median expected salary for a typical Accountant I in the United States is $44,761. This basic market pricing report was prepared using our Certified Compensation Professionals' analysis of survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at employers of all sizes, industries and geographies.

    Military pay:

    http://www.goarmy.com/benefits/money/basic-pay-active-duty-soldiers.html

    Private (E1)
    $18,194**

    Private (E2)
    $20,398
    $20,398
    $20,398

    Private First Class(E3)
    $21,449
    $24,178
    $24,178

    Specialist or Corporal (E4)
    $23,756
    $27,659
    $28,840

    Sergeant (E5)
    $25,913
    $30,359
    $32,490

    Staff Sergeant (E6)
    $28,285
    $33,833
    $35,226

    http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/money/pay_charts/

    Current general pay calculator

    • $1516.20
      (BASIC)
    • +
    • $348.44
      (BAS)
    • +
    • $756
      (BAH)
    • +
    • $0
      (COLA)
    • =
    • $2620.64
      per month

    http://www1.salary.com/E3-Seaman-Navy-Salary.html

    The median expected salary for a typical E3 - Seaman (Navy) in the United States is $21,252. This basic market pricing report was prepared using our Certified Compensation Professionals' analysis of survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at employers of all sizes, industries and geographies.

    • 1 vote
    #1.67 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:07 PM EST

    There's been a shooting at an Atlanta Middle School.

      #1.68 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:11 PM EST

      LookingForwardtotheFuture,

      I abhor guns, and I hope to never have to use one.

      However, in a rather scary way, I find myself agreeing with your post.

      That is because I believe that the people who wrote the constitution were no dummies. After all, they founded the most complex country in the history of mankind, and wrote a supporting Constitution that has stood the test of time. Some of the articles in the Constitution talk about issues that seem unfathomable. However, the founding fathers must have had good reasons to address them in the Constitution. I wouldn't be too quick to remove, modify, amend, or repeal any portion of the Constitution.

      • 1 vote
      #1.69 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:12 PM EST

      Jeanvaljean: OMG! Look at how many forks and spoons are making people obese. Thank you for brining this to our attention; now the government must ban silverware to save the obese children.

      This sounds just as stupid as your argument. Think it will make our country slimmer?

      • 1 vote
      #1.70 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:14 PM EST

      breadex: Why is it that gun control suddenly turns into banning all guns? Never saw anyone in America foster the belief that we should ban ll guns.

      Then you've not been paying attention. They're plenty who want this, and some of them are actually elected officials.

      breadex: BTW people who post that old federalist papers crap wake up this is 2013 Alexander hamilton never heard of or saw an ak47 or an uzi or and ar15 in action. had he then he waould have altered his talk.

      Alexander Hamilton knew what he was talking about, and he well knew the difference between a musket carried by the Colonials and the 6-pound field pieces firing grapeshot at them by the most powerful military in the world at the time. Did he realize that technology would overtime lead to advancements in weaponry, increasing both the accuracy and lethality? To assume otherwise would imply Hamilton didn't know the difference between a musket and an English Longbow. He did. He also knew that technology would be used by tyrannical governments to suppress the people, just as it had been in his time. Far from a failure to consider changes in weapons systems, as you've aserted, Hamilton's focus was on governments and people, all of which can become corrupt and turn on the citizens in order to maintain power, just as they had in his time, and just as they have ever since.

      breadex: Then stop and think about what the government has to bring to bear on a miltia today before you are ever going to overthrow a government.

      You mean like the Patriot Act that now allows the government to imprison you indefinitely without the right to counsel, torture you, and even kill you without trail. I doubt Hamilton would have ever thought our elected officials would have passed such an act, or that we would have allowed them to do so... But they did... and most of us remained silent.

      breadex: Get real the reson your efforts to thwart meaningful gun legistlation is silly and the arms mechants backers are laughing all the way to the bank. The answer to gun violence is never ever going to be more guns.

      No... it has more to do with fear. Fear of a government whose leaders have too much to lose should the electorate actually turn on them. Fear of a government which has for years enacted legislation that does not apply to them, which has set aside the rule of law on numerous occasions to hand the keys of the public coffers to their corporate supporters, and fear of a government which has enacted laws allowing them to eliminate even our most basic right, the right to life, and without ever having committed a crime.

      breadex: Get real the reson your efforts to thwart meaningful gun legistlation is silly and the arms mechants backers are laughing all the way to the bank. The answer to gun violence is never ever going to be more guns.

      The answer to gun violence has nothing to do with guns. It has everything to do with violent people. It has everything to do with a nation that is plagued by poor parenting, lower morals, irresponsibility, little regard for the rights of others, and an ineptness to face reality head on. Until you deal with that, the killing will continue regardless of the weapon. But in a fight between good and evil where size makes a difference, a firearm can be an equalizer. In other countries, it could have made the difference between life and genocide.

      • 1 vote
      #1.71 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:15 PM EST

      I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often. Lawyers and judges railroad and rip people off on a daily basis then strut down the street with their nose in the air like they are above everything else and are untouchable.

      • 1 vote
      #1.72 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:16 PM EST

      @MarsRover 10-4!

      I have guns, but would never want to have that on my heart for the rest of my life, if God forbid I had to use one ever.

      I've heard plenty of stories from vets that have and they don't like it. Even Vietnam vets don't talk about that.

      My purpose is to make sure people are educated about what the purpose of the 2nd Amendment was for so that they realize that its not something to do away with, no matter how old of a nation we are.

      And also that we are a Constitutional Republic, not a Democracy like so many people think we are.

      We weren't meant to be ruled by the majority.......

      • 1 vote
      #1.73 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:18 PM EST

      @veteran55:

      Your argument is seriously flawed so much so that I am lowing myself to even respond to it: Obesity is something that is usually brought on by one's own deliberate desire and one's own self destruction. Adversely, guns and their killings and murders are brought on by deliberate acts of others inflicted upon someone else. Finally, because you choose to stoop to name-calling in your post, you exposed who truly is the stupid one.

      • 1 vote
      #1.74 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:24 PM EST

      Hmm. The school shooting in Atlanta probably won't make national headlines. Looks to be black on black crime. The media never reports on that.

      • 2 votes
      #1.75 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:26 PM EST

      If we lose our 2nd ammendment there will be nothing to stop the government from taking the rest too.

      The 2nd ammendment is the only ammendment that gives a citizen the ability to defend themselves,their property and their freedoms.The rest of the ammendments are just paperwork.The pen may be stronger than the sword but,in this case the sword is what protects the pen.

      • 4 votes
      #1.76 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:30 PM EST

      This just makes me want to get even with the shooter(s).

        #1.77 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:32 PM EST

        Geanie: The avg civilian accountant, or whatever they may be are not on call 24/7/365 like the military. Even civilian govt employees aren't on call, if only the Congressional Acct (all civilians no doubt) would just get that through their thick skulls and let it sink into their brains there would be no call for reducing mil. pay.

        I'm not a gun owner, have considered buying a .40 cal or 9mm but have no objection to it being registered by Fed. govt if I purchase one. The NRA claims they don't want criminals armed but yet just yesterday Mr. NRA (LaPierre) flat out said he is against anything that would make it easy to trace gun ownership. So in otherwords they can go out and rob/steal weapons from some law-abiding citizen and continue on their way killing themselves (gang-members), and innocent people as well just like that 15-yr-old girl in Chicago that had just participated the previous day in the inaugural parade. The problem with Chicago, and some other places that have strict gun ownership is gun trafficking. Stricter gun registration would help solve that I truly believe.

          #1.78 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:51 PM EST

          While we're at it let's also declare the ACLU, SPLC, NAACP, UN and the rest of the communist organizations...

          This sort of insane raving is typical of the right wing lunatic fringe. They simply choose to fabricate imaginary bogeymen to take their minds off of the genuine issues facing them. Let's spell it out for you: any organization that would promote an agenda that is responsible for tens of thousands of violent deaths and injuries in the United States would be declared a terrorist group and hunted down like dogs. Yet that is exactly what the NRA is doing. The only reason the feeble-minded followers of this criminal organization are eager to defend it is because they fear that their toys will be taken away from them if they don't. That sad fact exposes gun enthusiasts as immature, self-absorbed, and lacking the moral courage to do the right thing. Shame.

          • 2 votes
          #1.79 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:56 PM EST

          There you are Sailcat-2064101!!!

          Still waiting for you to debunk the 1.43 question :-)

            #1.80 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 4:03 PM EST

            breadex

            BTW people who post that old federalist papers crap wake up this is 2013 Alexander hamilton never heard of or saw an ak47 or an uzi or and ar15 in action. had he then he waould have altered his talk.

            And you base this OPINION on what exactly??? Or have you failed to realize that the Founding Fathers allowed for us to posses the most advanced, state of the art weapons available at the time? Weapons that were routinely banned in other countries using the same excuses people try to use to ban weapons today, because they were too powerful.

              #1.81 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 4:09 PM EST

              moonbeamracer:

              The disenchantment is spreading ... with a failing economy ..

              You hit the nail on the head. No matter what, the government will make sure they get their money, and on time:

              "Today, Jan. 31, is the last day for people to pay property taxes without a penalty. Radcliffe said even though the office is locked down, people can still use dropboxes, pay by phone or make payments in person at sub-courthouses until the lockdown is lifted."

              breadex:

              BTW people who post that old federalist papers crap wake up this is 2013 Alexander hamilton never heard of or saw an ak47 or an uzi or and ar15 in action. had he then he waould have altered his talk.

              The authors used the words "shall not be infringed" because they couldn't have known the future; thereby leaving it open and available for the future.

              • 3 votes
              #1.82 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 4:31 PM EST

              "Or have you failed to realize that the Founding Fathers allowed for us to posses the most advanced, state of the art weapons available at the time"~Backcountry#s

              care to cite the passage that denotes we can "posses" the most advanced, state of the art weapons"? I would think these then must included nuclear and other sophisticated weapons to be the most advanced and state of the art as you suggest. Or did you want to rephrase your post to mention "at the time" or split hairs over such an assine statement......btw, which time revoluntionary war or modern era? Thanks for the message you sent me the other day, I checked your facebook page again to check on the tattoo removal your girlfriend had............I liked her better with the face tat

                #1.83 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 4:34 PM EST

                Bob Freebird

                Is that better or worse than Republicans cutting security funding for embassies before the Benghazi attacks?

                Could you please explain exactly how this is considered "republican" cutting when there were actually MORE democrats who voted for it??

                • 1 vote
                #1.84 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 4:42 PM EST

                marklepew

                care to cite the passage that denotes we can "posses" the most advanced, state of the art weapons"?

                "Shall not be infringed". Care to cite absolutly anything that would contradict that??

                I would think these then must included nuclear and other sophisticated weapons to be the most advanced and state of the art as you suggest.

                And where are people going to get such weapons? As usual your yammering is pointless and senseless.

                Thanks for the message you sent me the other day, I checked your facebook page again to check on the tattoo removal your girlfriend had............I liked her better with the face tat

                Yawn. How exactly do you figure that admitting that you are an idiot is somehow an insult to me?? Surely if I had mistakenly added you to my "friends" list I would have removed you by now. Are you actually too dense to understand that? Don't answer, I already know.

                Seriously dude, if you are going to post for no other reason than to harass me you need to come up with some excuses that don't make you look so stupid.

                • 1 vote
                #1.85 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 4:54 PM EST

                @Deerhunterbow1

                Repeal the 2nd amendment! Hell why don't we just throw out the constitution you damn commie prick!

                • 1 vote
                #1.86 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 4:54 PM EST

                Still waiting for you to debunk the 1.43 question

                We are only one little Supreme Court decision away from a complete reinterpretation of the Second Amendment, little guy. Stay tuned!

                  #1.87 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 5:36 PM EST

                  so in your world "shall not be infringed" also means you can "posses the most advanced and state of the art weapons"? I wasn't the one who stated this absurd position so what do I need to cite. I asked that you back up your statement and you have failed.......miserably. Additionally just because you have difficulty acquiring such weapons, that I mentioned, is it still your contention that everyone has the right to them? Nice deflection but not really an answer to the question. Seriously dude if you are trying to look intelligent you are not providing the proof so far.

                  I would like to thank for the private message you sent me. I will take your offer of oral sex as a peace offering but will have to decline. While I appreciate the gesture, I am very much straight. I am flattered and even a little curious but feel it would be better if we refrained from giving in to desire at this stage of our relationship as I would not want to risk damaging our friendship - of which I have come to value very much

                    #1.88 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 5:40 PM EST

                    Sailcat, You had a few typo's in your rant so I fixed them for you....

                    It's time to declare the DNC a terrorist organization, bent on usurping the right of responsible and mature "gun enthusiasts" to ban weaponry that is being used to unsure the civil rights of our nation's people. Rise up against these criminals and protect our children, our families, and our communities by enacting rational policital control legislation! Now, more than ever, it is the right thing to do!

                    • 1 vote
                    #1.89 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 5:43 PM EST

                    @Sailcat-2064101 Thank you! Was waiting for you to say that!

                    This is how liberals/communists/socialist work people. They will take over the courts and use them and twist the power given to the courts in ways that were not intended. I provided facts and history that shows what the purpose of the 2nd Amendment was for and the liberals have spoken.

                    Sailcat-2064101

                    We are only one little Supreme Court decision away from a complete reinterpretation of the Second Amendment, little guy. Stay tuned!

                      #1.90 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 6:02 PM EST

                      And that is how feeble minded right wing lunatics ignore reality, Looking. The current interpretation of the Second Amendment was established in the 1970s with The District of Columbia vs. Heller and it was controversial then and it is a disaster now. America is looking forward to another, more rational, reinterpretation to fix the errors of the past. If that means you have to be responsible for your toys, so be it. Just stop whining about it, okay? It makes you look even less mature than usual.

                      Gun control. Now, more than ever, it is the right thing to do.

                        #1.91 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 6:14 PM EST

                        marklepew

                        so in your world "shall not be infringed" also means you can "posses the most advanced and state of the art weapons"? I wasn't the one who stated this absurd position so what do I need to cite

                        I was pointing out what was said and written by the Founding Fathers. I'm not surprised that it went over your head.

                        that I mentioned, is it still your contention that everyone has the right to them?

                        Never said everyone has the right. The SCOTUS has ruled on this, that is part of their job after all.

                        I would like to thank for the private message you sent me. I will take your offer of oral sex as a peace offering but will have to decline. While I appreciate the gesture, I am very much straight

                        LOL! If I were gay I have little doubt that I could do FAR better than you! As I've suggested, you should come up with some material that doesn't make you seem like such an idiot even though I thoroughly enjoy you making such a fool of yourself.

                          #1.92 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 6:20 PM EST

                          They will take over the courts and use them and twist the power given to the courts in ways that were not intended.

                          You make yourself look more ignorant with each mindless post. Thanks for your unwitting help to make my point.

                            #1.93 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 7:31 PM EST

                            Dr Alchemy...I work in the oil patch...Have done so for 30 years...Fighting fire with fire...Guess you can tell me all about how it works in the patch....And believe me, it does NOT always work out...The same as fighting guns against guns... Does this make you unhappy?

                              #1.94 - Fri Feb 1, 2013 2:51 PM EST
                              Reply

                              Why is it these guys always choose to use a gun when there are so many other lethal weapons out there?

                              • 20 votes
                              #2 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 11:56 AM EST

                              I hear a baseball bat would have worked better than a gun. Stupid criminal: using a gun when he or she should've used a bat.

                              • 13 votes
                              #2.1 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:02 PM EST

                              Last night I saw a show on tv where a guy brought a golf club to a baseball bat fight. That was stupid.

                              • 7 votes
                              #2.2 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:29 PM EST

                              Yes, a toaster....the killer could have used a toaster.....

                              • 10 votes
                              #2.3 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:32 PM EST

                              And the liberal media is always using the word "gunman" They should be using "could have been a bat, or a golf club or a toaster but just so happened to be a gun, man" Biased librul media.

                              • 8 votes
                              #2.4 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:45 PM EST

                              Yes, it's biased to report the truth...... (rolls eyes).

                              • 14 votes
                              #2.5 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:33 PM EST

                              You're right mochabeans, he could have been a batman with the right choice of weapons lol

                              • 6 votes
                              #2.6 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:39 PM EST

                              C'mon Eric, I even spelled Liberal "Librul" I didn't think I needed the sarcasm tag!

                              • 4 votes
                              #2.7 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:55 PM EST
                              Comment author avatarriverboy21Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

                              NRA needs to begin working closely with criminals to make sure that they aren't using guns so often, it makes guns appear as if they are dangerous or used to kill others. Like other posters have said, there are a variety of deadly weapons. NRA could put out procedures on how to kill people with other weapons, there could be a handbook titled "Killing With Diversity to Keep Your Guns." Maybe the NRA could begin arming criminals with AC-130's or A-10 warthogs to take the focus off guns, after all there's no point in outlawing those gunships because criminals will just use them anyways right?

                              • 8 votes
                              #2.8 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:56 PM EST

                              Day after day I see all the old arguments, and day after day I will say... GET THE GUNS FROM THE CRIMINALS AND THE PROBLEM WILL BE SOLVED!!! If you can't get them to give up their guns, what on earth makes you think the normal, law-abiding citizen wants to walk around with a target on his/her back?

                              Think, people, think! Criminals will never have to register their guns. Are you naive enough to think the US is the only country providing guns to criminals??? If so, then that is a big part of the problem. You're NOT thinking.

                              • 10 votes
                              #2.9 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:58 PM EST

                              Forloff, EVERYONE knows and understands your point. EVERYONE knows that no matter how many laws are made, it won't stop every single tragedy from occurring. But take the Aurora Theatre shooting, let's say Holmes went to buy a gun and the background check found he was mentally ill so he get's declined. Then he decides to pursue the criminal path and starts searching the web for a buyer willing to sell to him illegally, for Holmes who wasn't a criminal and didn't have ties to organizations who could get him an illegal weapon, there's a good chance while looking he would have ran into the law before he ran into a dealer. If all the proposed laws go into effect I can keep my 30 ought and my 12 gauge, and if I want I can go out and buy a handgun or more recreational rifles in the future. What is so wrong about laws that don't affect law abiding, mentally stable citizens at all but may prevent some tragedies from occuring?

                              • 12 votes
                              #2.10 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:13 PM EST
                              Comment author avatarGeanie Tilleyvia Facebook

                              I applaud you for your comment, very well said, very intelligent.

                              • 2 votes
                              #2.11 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:39 PM EST

                              Two people dressed in tactical gear to include bullet proof vests gun down an assistant DA on his way to a courthouse.....

                              In what world are people stupid enough to believe that a law regulating guns would have stopped this?

                              You think those two guys spent their morning reading law books to see if they could gun down a man in the street?

                              • 3 votes
                              #2.12 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:49 PM EST

                              mochabeans,,, Yeah im sure the democratic party had a meeting and decided to come up with the term gunman. Your such a conspiracy theorist you thing the media gets together and has meetings to do away with anyone with conservative views. All conservatives when born must be implanted with a chip so the liberals can keep track of them and know who they are. If you start out liberal and start having conservative views later in life the liberal mafia will bring you in for reprogramming. They want a welfare, police, socialist state where only minorities, females, gay, lesbian and illegal aliens can vote. MOCHABEANS...You sound like a bad sci fi movie.

                              • 4 votes
                              #2.13 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:58 PM EST

                              Sarchasm is difikul hard.

                              • 1 vote
                              #2.14 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:28 PM EST

                              So where were all the good guys with guns that were (are) supposed to stop the bad guys with guns? Give me a freakin' break!

                              • 4 votes
                              #2.15 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 4:27 PM EST

                              I hear a can of Campbell's Chunky Chicken soup will cause serious injury or even death when used as a bludgeon. Stupid criminals, they could have killed the guy, had lunch AND saved a dollar with a coupon.

                              • 3 votes
                              #2.16 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 4:41 PM EST

                              well the perps can kiss they ass's goodbye, the Texas Rangers are on the trail now. Good ridence to you two.

                              God Bless the family.

                              • 1 vote
                              #2.17 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 4:44 PM EST

                              Why is it these guys always choose to use a gun when there are so many other lethal weapons out there?

                              Because if these paid assassins didn't use a gun, the DHS and NWO wouldn't be able to raise the public reaction they want to support their agenda of disarming the entire population.

                              WAKE UP PEOPLE, THIS IS DECEPTION!

                              • 2 votes
                              #2.18 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 4:47 PM EST

                              In my experience with D.A.'s This was probably a rteliatory hit! I would not be surprised to hear from the shooter that he or his family were knowingly and purposefully harmed by this DA and the judicial system we have today.

                              Just the other day, I was in court and heard a woman with 53 (thats right 53!) bags of crack cocaine get 1 yr unsupervised probation because she had "voluntarily" enroled in a drug treatment program. One hour later I seen that same judge send a man to jail for 30 days because he coudnt afford the agreed upon payments for a driving offense and the assistant DA said he was tired of seeing probation violators going "unpunnished"!

                              Maybe he should have gotten a large bag of crack and started selling it so he could afford the fine, then everything would have been fine because then the state would have gotten their $$.

                                #2.19 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 5:10 PM EST

                                I find it sad that they had to add on the whole tacky comment on the end of the article about turning in your taxes in on time without penalty. Seriously? That's just ... well tacky.

                                  #2.20 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 5:37 PM EST
                                  Reply

                                  please support gun control legislation... be part of the solution, not part of the problem

                                  • 29 votes
                                  #3 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:00 PM EST

                                  If common sense gun laws are passed, things such as an assault weapons ban and limits on magazine capacity and universal background checks. If all those things are passed, will those supporting them be satisfied? Will you think that enough has been done?

                                  If another tragedy happens after common sense gun laws are passed, with a firearm that has not been prohibited, will you want more common sense gun laws?

                                  How many of you think a new interpretation of the second amendment, one that does not guarantee an individuals right to bear arms, is common sense?

                                  • 12 votes
                                  #3.1 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:05 PM EST

                                  2nd Amendment!

                                  Guns don't kill people, people kill people!

                                  Ban cars! They drove there didn't they!

                                  Give them an inch, they'll take a mile!

                                  The government and UN will try to take our guns!

                                  Fight tyranny!

                                  Did I miss any? I have to step out and adjust my tin-foil hat.

                                  • 27 votes
                                  #3.2 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:13 PM EST

                                  Who is the one wearing a tin-foil hat? All I did was ask an honest question.

                                  • 9 votes
                                  #3.3 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:15 PM EST

                                  Did I address you, six? No? Then I wasn't replying to you.

                                  To answer your questions:

                                  Yes (I own firearms; albeit mine would not be affected by any proposed legislation. Any of the proposed banned items were bought legally and, hence, not affected by future legislation).

                                  Yes.

                                  No.

                                  None of me.

                                  • 4 votes
                                  #3.4 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:23 PM EST

                                  Greg_S

                                  please support gun control legislation... be part of the solution, not part of the problem

                                  No ! Just consider me neutral. I own guns & just don't want to pay the price for a criminal that I don't even know.

                                  • 8 votes
                                  #3.5 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:32 PM EST

                                  Hmmm they had tactical gear, so if the assistant district attorney had a gun what chance did she have against body armor.

                                  • 9 votes
                                  #3.6 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:34 PM EST

                                  Well Bob, I could go the same route as you and say "was I addressing you? But that would be dishonest, who else would I be addressing. And the same goes for you Bob, who else would you be addressing, the only other poster, the op, seems to be pro gun legislation, so I don't think you were addressing him. You must have been addressing me, I'm the only one left.

                                  So, Bob, it would appear that you are a dishonest person, one that cannot be trusted to give honest answers to direct questions. And I think those that believe the same as you are just as honest.

                                  You will NOT be satisfied with laws you are proposing (I mean you as in the anti-gun crowd)

                                  If another tragedy happens you WILL want more laws.

                                  You DO think the second amendment is better interpreted as not guaranteeing individual rights.

                                  • 4 votes
                                  #3.7 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:37 PM EST

                                  Ban tactical gear. Ban Ford Taurus's. Silver ones.

                                  • 5 votes
                                  #3.8 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:40 PM EST

                                  States can limit the second amendment. It is not absolute.

                                  Who needs an assault rifle, large capacity magazine and body armor?

                                  • 9 votes
                                  #3.9 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:40 PM EST

                                  Well, what do you want, public safety or gun ownership?

                                  • 5 votes
                                  #3.10 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:43 PM EST

                                  davey-lotsanumbers, do you think public safety and gun ownership are mutually exclusive?

                                  I do not.

                                  • 4 votes
                                  #3.11 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:45 PM EST

                                  Do more guns = less crime or do more guns = more crime?

                                  No country has more armed citizens that the US. Does the US have the least crime? I know that our murder rate is quite high -- much higher than other western industrialized countries.

                                  So, to answer your question, yes, fewer guns equals a safer society.

                                  • 5 votes
                                  #3.12 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:47 PM EST

                                  Hey, six, my comment was posted 8 seconds after yours, and I know I can't type that fast. So how am I dishonest again?

                                  Did you hear the part where I own multiple firearms? No? You can't comprehend what you read? Okay. Don't try telling me that I am anti-gun or put words in my mouth (keyboard?).

                                  • 2 votes
                                  #3.13 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:47 PM EST

                                  Who needs an assault rifle, large capacity magazine and body armor?

                                  I have no use for body armor, but my rifle and high capacity magazines are great for home defense and are fun to shoot. Don't knock it until you try it.

                                  • 10 votes
                                  #3.14 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:51 PM EST

                                  high capacity magazines are great for home defense

                                  How many bullets do you need in a gun for home defense? On average? :-)

                                  • 7 votes
                                  #3.15 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:54 PM EST

                                  I know that our murder rate is quite high -- much higher than other western industrialized countries

                                  Davey - Then what you know is innaccurate. Do your research before you post. USA had 9000 gun homicides with 300 Million guns. Brazil, which has a national gun ban, had 34,000 gun homicides with only 14 million guns (estimated since they are "banned"). Russia, Mexico, Colombia all had higher gun violence that USA and barely 1/10th of the number of guns. Do gun bans really work??

                                  • 8 votes
                                  #3.16 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:55 PM EST

                                  We could both come up with studies that claim opposite results when it comes to gun control vs. less crime, that would be an useless exercise.

                                  The point I'm trying to make is this, those that favor gun control, don't like guns. That is as simple as I can make it. They view guns as the source of all violence in the world. .... if given their choice ALL guns would be banned. At least be honest and state that is your intention.

                                  Instead you claim that all you want is "common sense" gun legislation, when in reality you would like for ALL guns to go away.

                                  • 7 votes
                                  #3.17 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:56 PM EST

                                  Ok Bob, I'm sorry. But, to whom were you replying to.

                                  • 1 vote
                                  #3.18 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:00 PM EST

                                  The murder rate in the US is about 5 per 100,000 people. This is relatively high and puts us in the company of some other fairly violent and unstable countries.

                                  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_intentional_homicide_rate

                                  Murder rate is typically not calculated by number of guns in the country. Can you post your reference for murder rate by country by total number of guns in the country?

                                  Do gun bans really work??

                                  Depends. The US does a pretty good job of keeping some types of weapons and munitions out of the hands of most people. Machine guns and dynamite, for example. So yes, laws can work.

                                  • 6 votes
                                  #3.19 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:03 PM EST

                                  How many bullets do you need in a gun for home defense? On average? :-)

                                  Davey - Hopefully I have more than whatever the perpetrator has. Reloading when you are under fire and stress is not as easy as you think. The more rounds you already have in your gun...the longer you will be able to engage. Now, that said, I feel the 100 round drums are not needed in civilian hands...they are heavy and useless to aim with, but can do a lot of damage as we have seen.

                                  If you are trying to evacuate from a hurricane, are you going to fill your gas tank in your car only 1/4 at a time then drive and have stop to fill up to 1/4 again and again??

                                  • 8 votes
                                  #3.20 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:06 PM EST

                                  We could both come up with studies that claim opposite results when it comes to gun control vs. less crime, that would be an useless exercise.

                                  It would not be a useless exercise. I would find it interesting. I invite you to post your data.

                                  The point I'm trying to make is this, those that favor gun control, don't like guns. That is as simple as I can make it. They view guns as the source of all violence in the world. .... if given their choice ALL guns would be banned. At least be honest and state that is your intention.

                                  You can also say that those who want fewer gun regulations like guns. They have a disconnected view of guns and the violence that guns enable. They read the news about children killed by murderers with guns and they say 'tsk tsk, not a responsible gun owner.'

                                  You want me to be honest? Well, OK. I am ok with armed citizens but I do object to certain types of arms. Hand guns are a problem.

                                  Instead you claim that all you want is "common sense" gun legislation, when in reality you would like for ALL guns to go away.

                                  I don't want all guns to go away. I'm OK with rifles and shotguns. I'm even OK with hand guns, if we can move away from the current situation, where any GD moron can buy a hand guns and leave it laying around the house, easy to steal.

                                  • 7 votes
                                  #3.21 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:09 PM EST

                                  Hopefully I have more than whatever the perpetrator has. Reloading when you are under fire and stress is not as easy as you think. The more rounds you already have in your gun...the longer you will be able to engage.

                                  You know, I have a house. I have a wife and two kids. I have no guns. I am completely unprepared for my house to be attacked by armed criminals. How foolish am I? Seriously, what is the chance that my family and I are doomed because I do not have a gun in my house? Do I really need to spend more time with guns? Or, is there a better use of my time?

                                  • 5 votes
                                  #3.22 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:12 PM EST

                                  murder rate in the US is about 5 per 100,000 people

                                  Davey - That murder rate is not just about firearms, but includes other kinds of causes of death. I would be happy to post my source of firearm homicides

                                  http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2012/jul/22/gun-homicides-ownership-world-list

                                  This list completely unravels the case that Liberals are trying to make on Gun Violence in America. We have much bigger issues to fix in this country before gun control or we could see a lot more gun violence in years to come as our economy and society break down.

                                  • 5 votes
                                  #3.23 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:18 PM EST

                                  Seriously, what is the chance that my family and I are doomed because I do not have a gun in my house? Do I really need to spend more time with guns? Or, is there a better use of my time?

                                  Davey - Those are great questions to ask yourself and I respect your opinion. I have 3 young kids myself and have to be very careful storing my guns. Guns are a hobby for many Americans and going to the range can actually be a fun family activity. My wife loves it! Thankfully, in America we are free to make those kinds of choices that we deem best for our families. However, in Brazil and Mexico you would have no choice in the matter...if you had a gun in your house, you are breaking federal law and would go to jail for years. Yet, they have higher gun crime rates than we do. Go figure.

                                  • 7 votes
                                  #3.24 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:28 PM EST

                                  There are over 20,000 laws on the books regulating firearms and firearm ownership. Does anyone with even half a brain think that one or two more is going to make a difference in crime?

                                  Body armor is illegal in most states without good cause.

                                  • 4 votes
                                  #3.25 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:28 PM EST

                                  No problem, six. I guess I wasn't really replying to anyone, just getting all of the usual arguments against "gun control" out there.

                                  As a gun owner and a father, I am for "common sense" legislation, which doesn't include banning all guns. I realize that criminals could still get high capacity automatic weapons, but what's the problem with making them less accessible? I am with Reagan when he wrote:

                                  “This is a matter of vital importance to the public safety ... While we recognize that assault-weapon legislation will not stop all assault-weapon crime, statistics prove that we can dry up the supply of these guns, making them less accessible to criminals.”

                                  • 5 votes
                                  #3.26 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:41 PM EST

                                  Davey - That murder rate is not just about firearms, but includes other kinds of causes of death. I would be happy to post my source of firearm homicides

                                  OK, that was interesting. What does it demonstrate?

                                  • 2 votes
                                  #3.27 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:42 PM EST

                                  One problem Truth_Hurts...your outlook ignores the data for other countries with gun bans, like France. Where are they in that data? Way at the bottom...as in no gun deaths. So, because it maybe didn't work in one place doesn't mean it couldn't work somewhere else. Of course, that does also mean that just because it worked in one place doesn't mean it will work everywhere else. The point is, that data doesn't unravel anything.

                                  Plus, nobody is taking anybody's guns!!! Stop perpetuating that nonsense. It's just not true. Regulating is not the same as taking. Why is it bad to regulate guns? I want a good reason. Please don't give me the "because law-abiding gun owners are getting punished." Bull. We are all law-abiding in many ways. I am law-abiding in terms of how I drive my car, but I still have car insurance. Guess what? Many many many people aren't so law-abiding and don't have car insurance. Does that mean we should be revolting against having car insurance? No, because that's dumb. THe difference is that nobody is up in arms about a perpetuated lie that the government is going to take your cars. It's also because cars are not one of the lynchpins of the conservative right; but guns are. So, what better way to get opponents of the left all fired up? Tell them the left plans to take their guns!!!! It's not true.

                                  No matter how misguided some might think the interpretation of the Second Amendment is, the government cannot take anyone's guns. And those who keep saying the government is going to take your guns are just perpetuating a lie, you know like how there were WMDs in Iraq.

                                  • 2 votes
                                  #3.28 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:54 PM EST

                                  I have no use for body armor, but my rifle and high capacity magazines are great for home defense and are fun to shoot. Don't knock it until you try it! Who in their right mind would use a rifle with a high capacity magazine to defend your home? Sure hope you done have any kids in the home. I don't even think the neighbors would be safe! The 40 s&w will do the job.

                                  • 2 votes
                                  #3.29 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:04 PM EST

                                  matter how misguided some might think the interpretation of the Second Amendment is, the government cannot take anyone's guns. And those who keep saying the government is going to take your guns are just perpetuating a lie, you know like how there were WMDs in Iraq.

                                  Agree, taking away guns is not what I have in mind. Although, gun people have been telling us that we can have their guns when we take them from their cold dead fingers. That works for me!

                                  • 2 votes
                                  #3.30 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:07 PM EST

                                  @Boring... Read my post above @ #1.33 No misinterpretation there of the 2nd Amendment. Knowledge is the real power.

                                    #3.31 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:14 PM EST

                                    Greg:

                                    You may continue to part of the statistics, I am going to keep my guns to defend myself.

                                    I have also sworn an oath to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC! Please read the Federalist Papers to find out why the founding fathers really enacted the Second Amendment. Unless you live in an alternate universe, you then must agree that the Second Amendment must NEVER be repealled or circumvented by irrational gun-control.

                                    • 1 vote
                                    #3.32 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:42 PM EST

                                    eric.

                                    a tactical vest could mean anything from a Kevlar vest with steel ceramic layered trauma plates to a black vest with lots of pockets. its a misleading term and nothing about it but the name was mentioned. stop trying to fill in the blanks. besides they also mentioned in the article that they were not sure they even had the tacticle vast.

                                    • 3 votes
                                    #3.33 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:42 PM EST

                                    The point is, that data doesn't unravel anything.

                                    Boring... - Good reply. This gun control issue that the Left and Right wings are politicising revolves around the simple fact some think gun violence is out of control in America, when it is actually the opposite. To ban and lay blame on a rifle that caused less than 150 deaths a year out of 9000 is a witch hunt. The proliferation of guns has reduced overall crime. America now has over 300 million guns with only 9000 gun homicides of which the vast majority are done by criminals, as opposed to legal gun owners. That is a fantastic safety record by any standard! In some smaller countries like Japan, England or France with 1/5th or so of our population are much easier to successfully control crime with laws like gun bans, but they still have violent crime problems. Same concept with amortizing the cost of healthcare in those smaller countries. However, in larger nations like Russia and Brazil, gun bans have been a failure. No large, modern, freedom-loving government has proven it can 100% protect and defend hundreds of millions of unarmed people successfully. It has to offset some of it's internal police security by letting it's people defend themselves as much as possible.

                                      #3.34 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 4:09 PM EST

                                      Who in their right mind would use a rifle with a high capacity magazine to defend your home? The 40 s&w will do the job.

                                      PackinP40 - I have a large piece of property which is why I have a rifle. But I also prefer my CZ .40 in my bed side safe.

                                      • 1 vote
                                      #3.35 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 4:40 PM EST

                                      @ packinp40

                                      Who in their right mind would use a rifle with a high capacity magazine to defend your home?

                                      Oh, I don't know. Maybe a 15 year old boy in Houston. It happened in June 2010 but has been all over the news again in light of the recent gun debates.

                                      KHOU - Houston, TX

                                      HOUSTON – The teenage son of a Harris County Precinct 1 deputy shot a home intruder Tuesday afternoon in the 2600 block of Royal Place in northwest Harris County, deputies said.

                                      The 15-year-old boy and his 12-year-old sister had been home alone in the Mount Royal Village subdivision when around 2:30 p.m. a pair of burglars tried the front and back doors, then broke a back window.

                                      The teenager grabbed his father's assault rifle and knew what to do with it.

                                      “We don't try to hide things from our children in law enforcement,” Lt. Jeffrey Stauber said. “That young boy was protecting his sister. He was in fear for his life and her life.”

                                      The home invaders fled, leaving a trail of blood.

                                      Shortly afterwards, two suspects showed up at Tomball hospital. One was an adult and was hit at least three times. Lifeflight flew him to Memorial Hermann hospital in the Medical Center. The second suspect, a juvenile, was taken back to the crime scene, authorities said.

                                      Neighbors said burglars had recently struck the two houses next door, including the deputy's home.

                                      “They stole everything -- what they have inside. They already did it one time,” Rafael Cortez said.

                                        #3.37 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 6:27 PM EST

                                        A person with the screen name 'truth hurts' (indeed), said...

                                        The proliferation of guns has reduced overall crime

                                        However, in larger nations like Russia and Brazil, gun bans have been a failure.

                                        Well 'truth hurts', your statement about gun proliferation reducing crime is pure fantasy. No responsible person makes that claim. You have proof of this? (Davey sits back and thinks, 'this is gonna be good'.)

                                        Also, I do not want to let you leave the impression that guns are banned in Russia. Guns are not banned in Russia. Yes, certain types of weapons are not permitted to civilians, and you could say that gangs have them. But you could also say that the government looks the other way because the Russian gangs and police cooperate. That is one reason Russia is such a corrupt country.

                                        • 1 vote
                                        #3.38 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 6:53 PM EST

                                        @Truth_Hurts..........

                                        You are TOTALLY wrong about USA gun homicide numbers !!

                                        Google-it !!!

                                        ""The nation averages 87 gun deaths each day...""

                                        That's 31755 per year........ GET REAL!!

                                        • 1 vote
                                        #3.39 - Fri Feb 1, 2013 1:12 AM EST

                                        AND, the USA is FAR & AWAY the leader in gun homicides........

                                        Google-it Too ....

                                        Yes indeed, the Truth_DoesHurt......

                                          #3.40 - Fri Feb 1, 2013 1:21 AM EST

                                          Regarding 9,000 gun homicides a year, TruthHurts is close to correct. I think the number is closer to 10,000. FYI, approx 70% of those are where a hand gun is the murder weapon.

                                          However, there are other deaths where a gun is the weapon. For example accidental shootings and suicides (and yes, even a few justifiable homicides each year), which do bring the number of gun-related deaths into the 30,000 range.

                                            #3.41 - Fri Feb 1, 2013 1:35 AM EST

                                            ""The nation averages 87 gun deaths each day...""

                                            RoadTowed - I am certain those 87 include gun deaths from law enforcement, suicides, accidents, self defense and so on. Those gun deaths aren't what this gun debate is about. The stats I refer to pertain to intentional gun homicides, mass shootings and such that Liberals are blaming specifically in order to justify these new gun restrictions. My stats are pulled from various independent studies and reports than can also be found using a Google search. I posted one of the 2012 report links in post #3.23. Look it up, quite interesting.

                                            The devil is in the details and the anti-gun crowd are inacurately using a miniscule detail about guns and homicide rates to enact broader gun laws that won't address the problem with gun violence by criminals and crazies. Even Biden recently admitted as much. Quit listening to what politicians and the media are spinning...look at the facts.

                                            • 1 vote
                                            #3.42 - Fri Feb 1, 2013 10:19 AM EST

                                            your statement about gun proliferation reducing crime is pure fantasy. No responsible person makes that claim. You have proof of this?

                                            Davey - I defer to FactCheck.org. Here is the link:

                                            http://factcheck.org/2012/12/gun-rhetoric-vs-gun-facts/

                                            • Gun ownership goes up annually since 2001 and spiked in 2008 and 2012. (I wonder why?)
                                            • Gun manufacturing has practically doubled since 2007.
                                            • 2010 had the lowest gun murder rate since 1981 (no thanks to Chicago)
                                            • Aggravated assault with a gun down since 2004
                                            • Gun suicides are way up unfortunately...a lot of depressed people out there.

                                            • 1 vote
                                            #3.43 - Fri Feb 1, 2013 10:42 AM EST

                                            Your statement was, "The proliferation of guns has reduced overall crime".

                                            Show me where it says that on FactCheck.org. Or anywhere else.

                                              #3.44 - Fri Feb 1, 2013 11:14 AM EST

                                              Hi Davey - I'd be happy to show you the numbers of OVERALL Crime reduction. Note that our population increases while overall crime goes down and in the past 20 years crime has reduced substantially.

                                              Here is a left-wing website you can reference...the stats come from the FBI's crime reports database.

                                              http://leftcall.com/u-s-crime-rates-1960-2010-the-facts-might-surprise-you/

                                              They display them by Worst Year to Best Year, 2010.

                                              Murder
                                              1991 – 24,700
                                              1962 – 8,530
                                              2010 – 14,748

                                              Rape
                                              1992 – 109,060
                                              1960 – 17,190
                                              2010 – 84,767

                                              Assault
                                              1993 – 1,135,610
                                              1960 – 154,320
                                              2010 – 778,901

                                              Burglary
                                              1980 – 3,795,200
                                              1960 – 912,100
                                              2010 – 2,159,878

                                              Vehicle Theft
                                              1991 – 1,661,700
                                              1960 – 328,200
                                              2010 – 737,142

                                              This website has a crime chart summary that goes back to the 60's...you will notice that in the past 20 years crimes have gone down while population goes up. http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/uscrime.htm

                                              • 2 votes
                                              #3.45 - Fri Feb 1, 2013 1:24 PM EST

                                              @RoadTowed

                                              @Truth_Hurts..........

                                              You are TOTALLY wrong about USA gun homicide numbers !!

                                              Google-it !!!

                                              ""The nation averages 87 gun deaths each day...""

                                              That's 31755 per year........ GET REAL!!

                                              According to the FBI Uniform Crime report for 2011:

                                              12,664 murders in the U.S.

                                              Out of the total above 8,583 were murders by firearms, broken down as follows:

                                              6,220 committed by handguns

                                              323 committed by rifles

                                              356 committed by shotguns

                                              1,684 committed by unknown type of firearms

                                              1,694 committed by knives or cutting instruments

                                              1,659 committed by other weapons

                                              728 committed by hands/fists/feet etc..

                                              Out of 315 million people in the U.S. means your odds of getting murdered by a firearm is a small fraction of 1%. The odds are even smaller if you only consider murders committed with rifles.

                                              I'm willing to live with such a tiny small chance of getting killed by a gun in order to preserve one of our basic freedoms in this country.

                                              The 31K+ number you post includes suicides, police shootings, accidents, etc...You should be much more worried about dying from cancer, a heart attack, or getting killed in a car wreck, all of which are far more likely to happen.

                                              • 1 vote
                                              #3.46 - Fri Feb 1, 2013 4:27 PM EST

                                              I do not dispute stats that show declining crime.

                                              I am questing your statement, "The proliferation of guns has reduced overall crime". You seem to be linking a reduced crime rate with guns. Are you saying that guns are the reason that crime is declining? If you are, how do you know that?

                                                #3.47 - Fri Feb 1, 2013 4:49 PM EST

                                                Out of 315 million people in the U.S. means your odds of getting murdered by a firearm is a small fraction of 1%. The odds are even smaller if you only consider murders committed with rifles.

                                                I'm willing to live with such a tiny small chance of getting killed by a gun in order to preserve one of our basic freedoms in this country.

                                                Well don't stop there. How often are guns used to injure, and not just kill? How about to rob and intimidate?

                                                How about the gut wrenching feeling that you get when you see children killed by a murderer who used a gun to kill? It's our job to protect children. That's more important that your gd fking basic freedom.

                                                OK, let's talk about your basic freedom. I was looking at the BOR just the other day...Let's take #1. It begins with "Congress shall make no law ". Hm, that's pretty clear. Read the other rights. You see words like "but in a manner to be prescribed by law.", "shall not be violated", "no", "No person shall be ", "In all ".

                                                Now let's look at #2, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed". What the hell does that mean?

                                                infringed? What the hell does that mean? A well regulated milita? What is that?

                                                I looked and it seems that you need to be 21 to buy a hand gun in most states. Isn't that an infringement? Why can't a 20 year older by a hand gun?

                                                What about machine guns. It's hard to get a machine gun. Infringement?

                                                Arms? What is that? Is a hand gun an arm? How about a hand grenade? Dynamite? Try and get some dynamite. Infringement?

                                                So, the basic freedoms that you speak of are kind of fuzzy. That's why we need judges to tell us what they really mean. Because we can't agree.

                                                And if your basic freedom means that a whacko can walk into a school and kill some kids, well, then, your basic freedom sucks.

                                                  #3.48 - Fri Feb 1, 2013 9:55 PM EST
                                                  Reply

                                                  Someone wasn't happy about a conviction by the D.A. ?

                                                  • 5 votes
                                                  Reply#4 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:03 PM EST

                                                  That is obvious, but which one of the 5000 did it and/or associates will be the work involved........

                                                  • 2 votes
                                                  #4.1 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:28 PM EST

                                                  Or, someone didn't like what the assistant DA was going to ask someone else on the stand.

                                                  • 1 vote
                                                  #4.2 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:39 PM EST

                                                  Or the assistant DA was doing someone's wife.

                                                  • 2 votes
                                                  #4.3 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:47 PM EST

                                                  Or his wife or family member hired someone to do the deed?

                                                    #4.4 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:04 PM EST

                                                    Or the assistant DA was doing someone's Husband.

                                                      #4.5 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:11 PM EST

                                                      assault vests and body armor.........these were no ordinary, criminals. killing the DA in broad daylight meant they were making a statement as well as killing their target. these were not amateurs. they knew exactly what they were doing. you have someone with big money behind this.

                                                        #4.6 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 4:35 PM EST
                                                        Reply

                                                        Oh man, for those going to pay property taxes today in Kaufman county, you're SOL. Guess you'll pay the penalty tomorrow.

                                                        • 1 vote
                                                        Reply#5 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:11 PM EST

                                                        Tonya Radcliffe, a board member on the Kaufman County Appraisal District, said even though the office is locked down, people can still use dropboxes, pay by phone or make payments in person at sub-courthouses until the lockdown is lifted.

                                                        • 1 vote
                                                        #5.1 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:16 PM EST

                                                        Kaufmann has sub-courthouses? Neat.

                                                        • 1 vote
                                                        #5.2 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:19 PM EST

                                                        Yeah, the shooters should have known to schedule this for another day as not to inconvenience the rest of the residents.

                                                        Some people are inconsiderate.

                                                        But I guess it would be too much for the courthouse to give a grace period of a day because of this.

                                                        • 1 vote
                                                        #5.3 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:37 PM EST
                                                        Reply

                                                        You know I have lived in this County for over 10 years, and there have been some corrupt people elected and placed in our so called justice system here, and there have been many hands dealt wrongly, we have a Judge that falls asleep in court, and has major health problems, but he still serves up convictions with whatever the DA office says no matter what, we have other Judges that are bias and not for the little people of this county. Its all about money and who's in your pocket, I've witnesses first hand even had some people who work for the county state it goes on more than anyone thinks in this county. Someone went postal I truely believe..and for a reason we will find out later when they are caught... We have a a couple of Judges that are truely honest and believe in being neutral and show that everytime but then you have those that are not, just recently we had a Judge convicted for stealing and was replaced..

                                                        • 4 votes
                                                        Reply#6 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:13 PM EST

                                                        Hope they do a sheriff Grady Judd on the suspects. "Why'd you shoot the suspect 68 times?" "We ran out of bullets."

                                                        • 2 votes
                                                        Reply#7 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:17 PM EST

                                                        Another law abilding citizen mad at the government! Instead of debate, compromise, personal responsibility, etc., lets just shoot anyone who doesn't see things my way. Yay! Guns rock!!

                                                        • 7 votes
                                                        Reply#8 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:18 PM EST

                                                        All special ops assassins drive a Taurus

                                                        • 4 votes
                                                        Reply#9 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:18 PM EST

                                                        Must be limited to 5 assassins as that's all a Taurus will seat (legally).

                                                        • 2 votes
                                                        #9.1 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:23 PM EST

                                                        WI Dad -

                                                        That is awesome!! Gave me a huge laugh!

                                                        Seriously, my thoughts to the family of the victim.

                                                        • 2 votes
                                                        #9.2 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:26 PM EST

                                                        Frank, they're criminals; they'll put 20 criminals in that Taurus, laws be damned.

                                                        • 3 votes
                                                        #9.3 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:27 PM EST

                                                        Rhonda...Agreed. Not my intention to make light of the victim. Sure you realize that.

                                                          #9.4 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:32 PM EST

                                                          Yes, I did indeed sir.

                                                          Just wanted to be sure one us typists on here gave some thought to the victim.

                                                            #9.5 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:02 PM EST

                                                            Maybe they could start by banning all Tauruses with fully automatic transmissions, or put a ban on high-capacity vehicles.

                                                            • 2 votes
                                                            #9.6 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:05 PM EST
                                                            Reply

                                                            Obviously this dude who is dead, did something wrong????????? Otherwise he would be alive ?????????????

                                                            Or maybe not. Either way. Its way too late to do anything about guns. They are here to stay. I personally shot a gun once. And I did not care for it. But it is what it is. And the way things are going. It's going to get worse. Oh where oh where is UnderDog.

                                                            • 1 vote
                                                            Reply#10 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:31 PM EST

                                                            He puts criminals in jail...guess the criminals thought that was wrong.

                                                              #10.1 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:06 PM EST
                                                              Reply

                                                              In Texas...a gun death...is this a story? Oh! An Assistant DA was killed so it matters. Why didn't the Assistant DA have his gun drawn, cocked and loaded as he walked to work? Because we live in a civil society of rules and law and humanity and shouldn't have to walk to work with a gun drawn, loaded, ready to kill anything that moves.

                                                              • 6 votes
                                                              Reply#11 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:32 PM EST

                                                              Ban handguns.

                                                                #11.1 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:45 PM EST

                                                                yeah ban hand guns....it will quite a site when all the criminals line up to turn their guns in.

                                                                  #11.2 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:07 PM EST

                                                                  The Supremes have ruled that a handgun is a Constitutionally protected weapon. They are never going to be banned, no matter how many extremists wish them to be.

                                                                  • 1 vote
                                                                  #11.3 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:43 PM EST
                                                                  Reply

                                                                  @Don Giacomo,

                                                                  Well, the man was shot so "easily" because he was in the drive through window or outside im guessing, its just like how any other persons (Or Presidents) have been killed while they have armed guards swarming them, by surprise.

                                                                  Having foreknowledge that a gunman is going to come in and kill someone you are protecting is virtually impossible But if the men went into the office with their guns on them then it would have not been on the news because the security would have dispatched them with their assigned Personal Defense Weapons (AR-15's, 45's, 9mm's etc. etc.) Its that simple, and as Creek Dog stated, if anybody that opposes our right to be as equally armed as our Government (Your 2nd Amendment Uninfringeable Right) and can actually come up with a real reason to have that right infringed other than these “accidents/rare occurrences/psychological tangents” than I will listen openly to what they have to say because contrary to popular belief, us “Crazy Gun Enthusiasts” don’t like to see innocent people get killed for any reason as much as the people who are opposed to “Assault Weapons” ownership and we would also like to prevent these nuts from giving responsible seasoned gun owners a horrible rap and thus separating us as a common people to some degree…

                                                                  Think Smarter Not Harder…

                                                                  • 4 votes
                                                                  Reply#12 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:39 PM EST

                                                                  You need to think period.

                                                                  • 1 vote
                                                                  #12.1 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:44 PM EST

                                                                  GetMeOutAlive42 said: . . Because contrary to popular belief, us “Crazy Gun Enthusiasts” don’t like to see innocent people get killed for any reason as much as the people who are opposed to “Assault Weapons” ownership and we would also like to prevent these nuts from giving responsible seasoned gun owners a horrible rap and thus separating us as a common people to some degree…

                                                                  If that's the case, then why aren't you "reasonable gun owners" doing more to crackdown on the " crazy gun enthusiasts"? Let's be honest, so many of your fellow gun-lovers are opposed to ANY effort at restricting the proliferation of guns in America. Why do most "Crazy Gun Enthusiasts" have such a dystopian view of our government - saying they must stockpile weapons like some paranoid, bunker-dwelling dooms-day wacko? If these gun crazies feel so threatened by a potential attack on them by their own government, why don't you rational gun-enthusiasts take the lead on shutting down these crazies?

                                                                  • 5 votes
                                                                  #12.2 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:06 PM EST

                                                                  Diane, what have you done to stop drunk drivers from murdering thousands of innocent victims every year? What have you done to put pressure on the government to crack down on gang violence? What have you done to kwell the venomous hatred and biased half truths that libs haphazardly spew in an attempt to qualify their opinions?

                                                                  Yeah, thought so.

                                                                  • 4 votes
                                                                  #12.3 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:55 PM EST

                                                                  Why do most "Crazy Gun Enthusiasts" have such a dystopian view of our government ...

                                                                  Why does anyone have a dystopian view of governments-- ever notice how about 99% of all sci-fi futuristic books/films are dystopian eg. "Brave New World", "1984", "Blade Runner"....

                                                                  • 1 vote
                                                                  #12.4 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:12 PM EST

                                                                  Im not on this comment section to argue people. Funny how this wasnt an issue until about a year ago if that huh? And what should worry you and everyone else is that even people from different countries are coming in to warn us about what is happening and to not even give an inch on this matter, now that should be a big red flag in your head, its like us ,the USA, going over into a prominent Muslim Country and telling all of the women to not subjugate themselves to men in the way that they "have to" because as we know it is wrong and will only lead to suffering and pain...so when other people from other countries come in to warn us about Gun Control, it is the exact same thing.

                                                                  Just listen to what these people have to say, it is very eye opening. and Two of these folk have personally seen what Gun Control does,

                                                                  http://xrepublic.tv/node/1744 .....Holocaust survivor

                                                                  http://xrepublic.tv/node/1837 ...... Tienanmen square survivor

                                                                  http://xrepublic.tv/node/1952 ...and just a very helpful man

                                                                  You must understand our past, because you will decide our future..

                                                                  • 1 vote
                                                                  #12.5 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 5:13 PM EST

                                                                  @Dianne Reeves

                                                                  Why do most "Crazy Gun Enthusiasts" have such a dystopian view of our government - saying they must stockpile weapons like some paranoid, bunker-dwelling dooms-day wacko? If these gun crazies feel so threatened by a potential attack on them by their own government, why don't you rational gun-enthusiasts take the lead on shutting down these crazies?

                                                                  You are going to find out, very soon.

                                                                    #12.6 - Fri Feb 1, 2013 8:54 AM EST

                                                                    Well in reality EVERYONE has the need to own a Personal Defense Weapon, because thats all they are used for, defense against those who commit violence against us and nothing else. When you have a criminal, not a law abiding citizen (which account for 99.98% of gun owners in America) holding a gun then it is An "Assault Weapon" because thats whats its used for, an assault against their fellow man.

                                                                    The one reason above all for the need of PDW's is to protect us, our kids, and their grand kids from an oppressive Government and from real criminals. That is the only reason you should ever need.

                                                                    Would you outlaw running shoes if a couple of nuts went to maternal wards and started strangling babies with shoe laces? Would you outlaw bricks because a couple of nuts went in a old folks homes and started smashing heads with them? Would you outlaw bicycles if a couple of nuts went and killed some teens with the chains? Would you outlaw cars and trucks because some nuts get into pedestrian jams and run over dozens of people? See how stupid those arguments are? Well that s the kind of "reasoning" that you are applying now, and its being applied out of pure fear.

                                                                    Every "point" made by the administration is moot in regards to the banning of "Assault Weapons". Just that term in itself is a brainwash technique that conditions you to think that your neighbors are gonna kick down the door any second now and have AR 15's pointed at your face....its really sick.

                                                                    As B. Franklin once so eloquently put it

                                                                    " Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

                                                                    And as Thomas Jefferson had once put a finer point to it

                                                                    "The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it."

                                                                    Do not let fear and complete dependence overrule your intellect and reason, for that is the downfall of us all....

                                                                    And stop using my children as a "reason" to disarm yourselves. It is a very cowardice cop out and you will regret it later on. For hindsight is always 20/20 and you will realize that you are a fool, just like you were a fool when you cheered at the TV in Dec. of 2001 when we started the Current War that everybody now knows was unjustifiable and is costing many live of our children who went to fight...but this time it will be your freedoms and your livelihoods that you will regret throwing away, but by then it will be too late,

                                                                    Think Smarter, Not Harder

                                                                      #12.7 - Fri Feb 1, 2013 5:50 PM EST
                                                                      Reply

                                                                      Definite 'hit'

                                                                      Someone was out for revenge.

                                                                      • 4 votes
                                                                      Reply#13 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:43 PM EST

                                                                      Either that or the assistant DA was dealing with or possibly being threatened to engage in some sort of corruption, and played the good guy card. Being texas I would imagine alot of narco activity passes through and its not absurd to think the same type of heavy handed thuggery against politicians and judges that is observed just south of the border could end up spilling into texas... Cartel members could easily attempt bribery or threaten ( assistand DA's ) and execute them with a hit if they don't comply with the cartels wishes.

                                                                      • 1 vote
                                                                      #13.1 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:23 PM EST

                                                                      Someone was out for revenge.

                                                                      My first thought exactly, and that this was not their first felony--which begs the question in response to Don Giacomo's post-- how is it that these criminals got hold of a gun when they're not allowed to own one?

                                                                        #13.2 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:16 PM EST
                                                                        Reply

                                                                        only 4% of violent crime is committed with so called assault weapons. Why is it that this big push doesn't focus on hand guns? Why is it that the press doesn't focus on young black men killing young black men? Thats the real problem. Not the law abiding rifle owner all over this country. This push is not for your safety, otherwise it would aimed at handguns in high crime areas. Its about disarming dissent.

                                                                        • 4 votes
                                                                        Reply#14 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:43 PM EST

                                                                        Funny thing Might, the killer in Sandyhook was a white guy. Colorado movie theater, white guy, Arizona Gabby Gifford's shooting, another white guy, Columbine, yep they were white too. And hey, the school bus shooting and kidnapping of a 5-6 year old yesterday, you guessed it, another white guy. But hey, it's only the black guys that are the problem right might.

                                                                        • 6 votes
                                                                        #14.1 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:48 PM EST

                                                                        @ Shellie

                                                                        What Mightymig posted is correct. But I guess you are a typical liberal who can't face reality, huh?

                                                                        The majority of gun crime in this country is committed with handguns usually by gang-bangers in inner city neighborhoods. Just look at Chicago with 500+ murders just in 2012. Chicago has already had 40+ murders in 2013. But the media doesn't want to focus on that now do they?

                                                                        No, they would rather focus on the relatively rare mass shooting committed by a mentally ill white person who uses a black semi-auto rifle, which as was stated is also rarely used in crime. Now why would that be? How is going after law abiding gun owners & their guns going to help stop gang-bangers or mentally ill killers?

                                                                        Since you won't reply I'll answer it for you. Going after law abiding citizens won't make any difference at all. It's just a bunch of political, gee we did something, B.S.

                                                                          #14.2 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 7:54 PM EST
                                                                          Reply

                                                                          These are the occasional and rare instance that i was talking about. Out of the thousands of gun crimes in the U.S. each year, these make up a very small percentage. Look of the stats on gun crime. What type of gun is used? Who is committing the crime? Did you know the #1 cause of death for a young black male in the U.S. is being shot by another young black male? I dont make this stuff up.

                                                                          • 3 votes
                                                                          Reply#15 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:51 PM EST

                                                                          It seems our issue is Law Enforcement, isn't it their job to make sure everyone is abiding by the laws of this country. Well it seems that in some areas they have failed so here is an idea:

                                                                          We are bringing our Military home or have brought some home; now that they have combat experience, send them into the inner cities and let them begin cleaning up the trash there and work their way outwards. You would be amazed at how appreciative the decent peaceful citizens that live in these areas would be.

                                                                          We would not need Gun Control Legislation and all law abiding citizens who wish to own a gun can without a problem.

                                                                          • 2 votes
                                                                          #15.1 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:25 PM EST
                                                                          Comment author avatarGeanie Tilleyvia Facebook

                                                                          Mightymig.... The problem with the "occasional and rare" instances of mass violence such as Sandy Hook and others because a weapon with high capacity magazines was used, is that not just one person was killed, it's always many, and based on this past year, it's not so occasional.

                                                                            #15.2 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:21 PM EST

                                                                            @ Geanie

                                                                            Mass shootings are rare in comparison to all of the other crimes/murders committed every year with firearms. FBI crime stats show that crime & violent crime (which includes murders by firearms) have been dropping for the last 20 years. It is safer out there now than it was in 1993, despite the media highlighting every shooting lately because it fits the liberal anti-gun agenda.

                                                                            Your odds of getting killed by a firearm (all types combined) in the U.S. is a small fraction of 1%. You have a greater chance of getting struck by lightening. Yet the media would like you to believe otherwise.

                                                                            As far as Sandy Hook the outcome would have been exactly the same if Lanza had only used the 2 handguns he had in his possession. There was no one in that school to oppose him.

                                                                            Handguns have the same rate of fire as an AR-15 does, they all fire 1 time with each trigger squeeze (no more, no less). Changing a magazine in a handgun is just as easy/quick as it is in an AR-15.

                                                                            Focusing on one style of guns (i.e. black semi-auto rifles) as the culprit is unreasonable & pointless. Guns are inanimate objects that are incapable of doing anything on their own & they also can't cause anyone to do anything. People need to focus more on the root causes that are making people act out violently against others & try to figure out how to curtail/fix that problem.

                                                                            Trying to restrict what kind of guns law abiding citizens can own isn't going to change anything. Law abiding people are not the ones running around shooting people in schools, offices, malls, or crime infested inner city neighborhoods over turf/drugs.

                                                                              #15.3 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 8:37 PM EST
                                                                              Reply

                                                                              I think the more armed Americans we have the better. The criminals do not care about the gun laws, they are criminals. They will get guns and ammunition (whatever kind they want) illegally. What we should be focusing on is teaching people about gun safety. I think teaching gun safety should start at around age 4. I'm not saying a 4 year old should be armed so calm down. I'm saying that from a very young age we teach our children gun violence with toy weapons (squirt guns, etc). They are completely unaware that a real gun kills people. They don't even know what death is. They need to be taught that there is a difference in toys and real weapons. They need to be taught gun safety because, even if YOU may not own a gun, someone you know probably does. I also think that there should be "Active Shooter" procedures and drills in ALL schools. Why not? We have fire drills and tornado drills. We need better mental health care nationwide. Some of these shootings are personal, but for the most part when someone kills a bunch of people they don't even know it is because they are psychologically disfunctional in some way. This kind of thinking doesn't occur overnight. I remember eye screeing in school and sholiosis screeing in school but nobody ever screened me for a psychological issue. They only time they did that was when a kid acted out and then they just sent them to a special class for bad kids. WE CAN CHANGE that. I don't think that there is any one answer that will satisfy everyone. Although I don't think the average American needs an assault rifle, I believe in their right to own one. That American and his/her gun is not your problem.

                                                                              • 3 votes
                                                                              Reply#16 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:55 PM EST

                                                                              You gun dependent and gun addicted folks are a dwindling minority. It seems you only have yourselves to bs with and online at that. Get a life! Do something productive to improve your community and yourself and deal with your gun fixation.

                                                                              • 3 votes
                                                                              Reply#17 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:55 PM EST

                                                                              And yet you're here engaging in the conversation. Slow day at work for you? Most gun owners are not dependent, addicted, or fixated. Grow up. You may not have noticed but after every shooting incident resulting in multiple casualties/deaths gun sales surge. I'm not sure the number of gun owners are shrinking. After Aurora the feds could barely keep up with the requests for background checks indicating new gun owners.

                                                                              • 7 votes
                                                                              #17.1 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:16 PM EST

                                                                              The legions of gun dependent and gun dependent may be growing, buy their rationalization and those of the NRA are becoming transparent and listless; accepted by fewer and fewer. Look, you can market and sell anything in America and that is what the NRA is doing. We are in a gun bubble, just like the mortgage bubble. Bubbles pop that have not substance to support them. The gun bubble will pop soon . I heard a lot of hissing from LaPierre in his testimony.

                                                                              • 2 votes
                                                                              #17.2 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:25 PM EST

                                                                              The NRA does NOT sell guns.

                                                                              • 2 votes
                                                                              #17.3 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:35 PM EST

                                                                              My community is very pro-gun, and has high firearm ownership rates. I guess we don't do anything "productive." I'm sure you do *so much* productive in your life.

                                                                              Oh, for the record, I'll pretty much guarantee my community has done more for America than 99.9% of all other communities in the country.

                                                                              • 6 votes
                                                                              #17.4 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:47 PM EST

                                                                              "Dwindling minority" LOL! So typical of you loony lefties to simply throw your opinions out there as fact. Guns--all guns are flying off the shelves right now and it's not just us "crazies" that actually own more than one that are buying. There are record numbers of both first time and new female gun owners. There are record numbers of people getting their concealed carry permits. There are virtually no guns or ammo left to buy right now because of all this. More Americans than ever see the need to protect themselves in these uncertain times--this era of overstepping government and Obamanomics. More Americans are realizing that taking personal responsibility for their family's safety is a better option than dialing 911 and crossing their fingers. You are actually part of a dwindling minority of histrionic "Chicken Littles" that are being manipulated by the ultra left wing media. Aloha!

                                                                              • 5 votes
                                                                              #17.5 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:11 PM EST

                                                                              @ Kamaaina

                                                                              You gun dependent and gun addicted folks are a dwindling minority.

                                                                              LOL. That is hilarious. Everyone single gun shop & ammo retailer, whether brick & mortar and/or online, are sold out of almost everything. What is available is selling for 2 to 3 times normal prices. Most places won't be able to catch up with demand for a month or two, if that. Yeah, keep drinking the gun grabber kool aid.

                                                                              You gun grabbers have accomplished one thing. You have made a lot of gun store owners a huge pile of money & have given them probably their best sales year ever. Congratulations.

                                                                              Btw, gun grabber Feinstein's bill won't go anywhere. Too bad, so sad.

                                                                                #17.6 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 8:55 PM EST
                                                                                Reply

                                                                                Texas, isn't that the state where everyone carries guns? I guess all those guys must have been in the capital protesting. Where are all of the law abiding NRA members when you need them?

                                                                                • 3 votes
                                                                                Reply#18 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:59 PM EST

                                                                                It's Texas - he probably drove to the courthouse with his gun proudly displayed in the back window of his pickup truck.

                                                                                Too bad these gun nuts aren't as interested in education as they are their guns. The country might be a safe place should these morons come in out of the woods and recognize that MORE guns do NOT make for a safer place to live and work.

                                                                                As with other social issues, it will take a couple more generations for these small minded neanderthals to die off before change will come.

                                                                                • 3 votes
                                                                                Reply#19 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:01 PM EST

                                                                                Yes Steve and in your future utopia, you will be caught between the only two groups having guns - criminals and a totalitarian government. Good luck with that.

                                                                                • 8 votes
                                                                                #19.1 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:18 PM EST
                                                                                Reply

                                                                                What the hell is wrong with Texas this is insane, add Chicago to the list too. Places I have crossed off my list to ever visit!

                                                                                • 3 votes
                                                                                Reply#20 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:02 PM EST

                                                                                As a life-long Chicago resident, allow me to thank you for staying away, Strangerthanfiction...

                                                                                • 8 votes
                                                                                #20.1 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:13 PM EST

                                                                                Strangerthanfiction -

                                                                                Yes, PLEASE stay out of Texas ... stay FAR AWAY OK ??

                                                                                We all know that tragedies like this can ONLY happen in places like TX or Chicago ... they don't happen anywhere else, right ????????

                                                                                • 5 votes
                                                                                #20.2 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:55 PM EST

                                                                                Not in Colorado, Conn, Virginia, Calif, Arizona, Utah, Oregon ..... Oh, wait.

                                                                                • 2 votes
                                                                                #20.3 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:24 PM EST

                                                                                Why would you be afraid to visit Chicago? They have gun control there.

                                                                                • 1 vote
                                                                                #20.4 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:50 PM EST

                                                                                @Strangerthanfiction

                                                                                You should be fine in Chicago. They have something you like, the strictest gun laws in the country. What could possibly happen, you should be perfectly safe. Though I would wait until the weather warms up.

                                                                                Chicago is beautiful at night. You should take a stroll down streets at 2 a.m. while wearing your shirt that says in big bold letters on the front & back - I hate all people who love using guns. LOL

                                                                                  #20.5 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 9:09 PM EST
                                                                                  Reply

                                                                                  Weird..they can afford tactical vests and guns, but drive "an older silver Ford Taurus"...maybe if they had their priorities straight and spent the money on a nice car, they wouldn't be so unhappy in their lives to go and kill someone.

                                                                                  • 3 votes
                                                                                  Reply#21 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:12 PM EST

                                                                                  Illegal guns sold on the black market to criminals aren't usually very high quality guns & thus they aren't that expensive. If they were using stolen guns then they were free.

                                                                                  A tactical vest is just a vest with multiple pockets/compartments to store equipment/ammo magazines etc..They aren't that expensive either. You're thinking about bullet proof vests, which are pricey.

                                                                                  So there really isn't anything weird about it.

                                                                                  Btw, if you need a nice car to be happy in life or to feel good about yourself then you're the one who doesn't have their priorities straight. You sound very materialistic.

                                                                                  • 1 vote
                                                                                  #21.1 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 9:20 PM EST
                                                                                  Reply

                                                                                  Did you see the President of NRA's bio? It sorta of proves that he is nuts. Guess he represents most of these gun lovers.

                                                                                  • 8 votes
                                                                                  Reply#22 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:14 PM EST

                                                                                  Anyone who supports the party of Diane Frankenfeinstein and Nancy Pelosi really shouldn't being calling anyone else nutty.

                                                                                  • 7 votes
                                                                                  #22.1 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:15 PM EST
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                                                                                  Wow, you guys are all brilliant. For so little information on an article, you all have so much to say. Left accuses right...right accuses left.

                                                                                  It's these kind of educated comments that set good example for our children. Keep up the good work guys.

                                                                                  • 5 votes
                                                                                  Reply#23 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:15 PM EST

                                                                                  Jesse, I agree this article isn't even newsworthy because vital information is still missing.

                                                                                    #23.1 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:13 PM EST

                                                                                    well said.

                                                                                      #23.2 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:40 PM EST
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                                                                                      TX Governor allows gun in public. And can this incident change his mind? Stay tune . . .

                                                                                      • 4 votes
                                                                                      Reply#24 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:16 PM EST

                                                                                      I like how they state you can still pay property taxes. Well we know what is important, anyway.

                                                                                      • 2 votes
                                                                                      Reply#25 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:18 PM EST

                                                                                      Stonepipe I caught that too and thought the same thing

                                                                                      • 1 vote
                                                                                      #25.1 - Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:04 PM EST
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