The ambush/shooting in Webster, NY - and some ideas

William Spengler -- a 62 year old ex-con who had murdered his grandmother with a hammer, and served 17 years in prison for that 1980 murder -- decides to kill his sister, burn down his neighborhood, and take out the first responders by ambush.  He leaves a note saying he's doing what he likes best:  "killing people".  He was armed with a pump shotgun,  Bushmaster rifle,  and .38 revolver.   As a convicted felon -- it was a felony (with a mandatory prison sentence) for him to possess any of these weapons -- and yet he had them, anyway.

Can we learn anything from this?

Well . . .  I guess the first thing is:   it doesn't matter what the law prohibits -- because psycho's like Spengler are gonna get whatever they want -- and do whatever they want -- unless they are intercepted before they blow.  Gun prohibitions just disarm those most responsible -- and leave the rest of us without a means of defense.   However . . .  I will go a step further . . .   and perhaps incur the wrath of the NRA, and the ACLU on some proposals of my own -- which are at least worth discussing:

1.   Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea to extend the instant criminal check to private sales of firearms.  It won't catch everyone -- but it might help.   It would be a simple matter to require FFL's to run such a check for a private sale for a specified fee.

2.   I think that once a violent felon is released from prison -- authorities should have the right to run a weapons search on them at least twice a year.  I know that runs afoul of what many would consider a civil liberties issue -- but I think it is a reasonable thing to legislate.

3.  We need laws that allow a confidential but mandatory mental health evaluation of anyone who makes a threat of harming others or themselves,  or where there is reasonable cause to believe such person might be planning such an endeavor.   The initial evaluation need not be in a hospital or confinement setting -- but someone who is skilled in this type of evaluation should make an initial determination whether further evaluation or inquiry is required.   Of course,  protections have to be written into such a law so it cannot be used as harrassment by some disgruntled neighbor -- but -- such a law could intercept a serious problem.

4.   There needs to be an entire change in the mental health system that sets up free group counseling  at local centers that are easy to get to,  access to prompt skilled emergency assistance,  and provides for free medication for those who do not have the funds to pay for it themselves.  While many will argue the cost will be too great -- my experience is that such a system would actually save money by keeping these people out of the criminal justice system.

5.   We need a national hot-line where people can report situations where they have an honest belief that another person may be homicidal or suicidal.  And -- we then need a confidential, non-intrusive way to check these reports out.  Again,  this is more difficult than it sounds because responders will need training, and there has to be a system to prevent abuses and harrassment.

6.  I think that (in Florida)  -- we need to allow schools -- especially private schools -- to hire armed security guards.  As of now -- only a law enforcement officer may be armed on school grounds.  This is absurd!  Likewise,  we should allow approved volunteers to be armed at private schools -- especially as applied to "church schools"  and daycare.  

7.  I likewise think that teachers and administrators who volunteer,  have special training,  and pass a psychological  evaluation -- should be allowed to carry concealed on school grounds.   Obama's kids are at a school with over 11 armed security guards.   That's really what it takes to truly protect a school -- not just one armed police officer.  In Israel -- it is common for teachers to be armed.  No big deal!   So -- let's get over our aversion to common-sense,  and allow it.

8.  I think we need to allow students who are 18 years of age to be allowed to carry Taser type weapons on the campus of any school above the high school level.  These are "one shot" purely non-lethal defensive weapons.  They are not likely to be used in an offensive manner -- have a built-in flashlight -- and would allow students to have some minimal protection from criminal attack -- especially females.  Likewise,  I would remove the ability of a school to prohibit weapons in parked vehicles on campus (except as to their students in high school and below) as long as such weapons were securely encased,  not open to view, and were in a locked compartment, or fully locked vehicle,  if the vehicle was unattended.


Anyway -- those are just some ideas to toss around.   All of them likely need refinement.   Some might not work,  some might be better than others.  But . . .  the one thing I know is a total crock are more "assault weapons bans",  or bans of large capacity magazines.  Not only are all these weapons and magazines already out there and available no matter what  - but no nut case is gonna be dissuaded because he has to carry an extra clip, or can't have a rifle with a forward grip.  That's just pure liberal political crap!