07 October 2007

Limits On School Shooting Prevention

Some have argued vehemently that the solution of mass school shootings is more security. But, this theory has in limits in a world where an off duty sheriff's deputy kills three high school students and three more recent graduates:

An off-duty sheriff's deputy went on a shooting rampage at a home in northern Wisconsin early Sunday, killing three high school students and three recent graduates before authorities fatally shot him, officials said. Another victim was in critical condition.


No, it didn't happen at a school. But, it never the less seems to prove the inherent limitations of relying on law enforcement to prevent mass shootings. More law enforcement can prevent crime. But, mass shootings are among the least predictable of all serious crimes.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

The solution to school shootings is simple: allow teachers to carry concealed weapons. There would be many fewer, perhaps even zero, school shootings if the shooter knew he or she could be stopped by a teacher carrying a gun.

Anonymous said...

If they gave everyone in schools a gun and taught them how to use one properly that would solve the problems. Guns are banned at school...but the bad people are going to have them anyways so why can't we protect ourselves in time of need and have our own guns? That is how more students get shot is by not being able to protect themselves in time of need. I am a firm believer in having guns and myself go hunting, etc. I go by the saying, "Guns don't kill people...people kill people." A gun wouldn't just jump off the table and shoot someone, would it?

Andrew Oh-Willeke said...

If teachers in a school have guns, one of the teachers might be deranged and use it on the kids. Or, one of the kids might steal it and use it.

There is no easy out. Few law enforcement officers fire a shot in anger more than a few times in a life long career. Teachers would have less experience and less training.

Anonymous said...

It is extremely rare for a lawfully licensed civilian to "fire a shot in anger." Florida issued about 1.2 million concealed weapons licenses between 1987 and 2007. During that 20-year period, only 161 licenses were revoked for a gun crime. That is an amazingly small number and many of those cases involve displaying a weapon, not actually shooting one. Other states with concealed carry have similar experiences. The fact is that the vast majority of people can and should be trusted to carry a gun.

Andrew Oh-Willeke said...

About a hundred people alive right now will commit all of the mass shootings in the next decade. The vast majority of gun owners behaving isn't good enough.