Chief to legislators: ‘This is not about you’ …

by Tabatha Wethal
Created:

and other thoughts on active shooter incidents


CHIEF TO LEGISLATORS: ‘THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU’

In an excellent blog posted shortly after the early morning killings at the Colorado theater, Chief Steve Allender of the Rapid City, S.D., Police Department expresses his opinion on the pro-gun-anti-gun bickering that followed the news of the shooting. In a succinct statement, Allender addresses legislators, writing: “Do not make laws simply because your constituents are hurting or the NRA is bullying you. This is not about you.” It was sharp, bold and resolute. Bravo to Allender. I highly encourage you to check it out.

THINKING OUT LOUD

  • People complain about the length of process and inconvenience of security at an airport today; what’s going to happen to commercial-type operations that cater to the public like the cinema if a moral panic should take hold? Especially considering the recent arrests of armed men at theaters in the wake of the Batman movie massacre mentioned above. Would we make ourselves to live in a hyper-militarized community because a select few of our male citizens can’t get a hold on reality and morality?
  • I see lots of people on Twitter calling the man arrested in Ohio for carrying a concealed weapon into the theater a “shooter.” SIGH. This is a textbook example of how the over-assumptive nature and inattention to detail by the masses can change the perception of an incident. Put more simply: This is the game of telephone playing out in the 21st century’s social communication.
  • Not much is known by public about Scott Smith's reason(s) behind bringing a cache of weapons to the movie in Ohio as of this writing. For instance, say he was protecting himself, given the Aurora shooting incident? His cache of ammo and knives is overboard, sure, but it's a possibility (and surely to be an option of defense for the defendant’s attorney). Whether or not that is his reason or if the public buys into that theory, what do authorities charged with protecting the public do if it becomes a pattern for people to arm up to see a picture show?
  • The active shooter mentality, reality and regularity in America is a nightmare. What do al-Qaida and the other various militant terrorists need to threaten and attack us when we willingly, thoughtlessly take ourselves out? Put simply: Why fear attacks from international terrorists when the terrorism domestically is so pervasive?