They got in the way of police, they fired the shots that started the disaster, and they provided a group for the terrorists to mingle with them to escape at the end.

Crossfire is very dangerous.  Even police miss their targets 4 out of 5 times.  A gunman with less training has even more wild shots.  And they often steal the weapons from other people and then have even more weapons.

I can understand the feelings of helplessness and the wish for a solution that gives power and justice to the offender at the same time.  However, in real life it almost ever works.

See here and here. I have a feeling there's a lot more coming soon...

I linked to yall on BlueNC.

Much appreciated.

the station that carries him in the Triangle is accessible here

I believe in 2nd Amendment rights.  I am for concealed carry laws and used to carried a weapon with me for years while I was on the road. One thing I know about carrying a weapon.  It's not for amateurs and you have to be trained to use the thing and if you're not up to speed, you could very well end up getting yourself or others killed by accident.  Owning the weapon is only the first part.  The hard part comes after you buy the weapon. And having a gun is nothing like the movies.  It's hard to shoot someone, even if they deserve it and most people don't have it in them to pull the trigger, so to say, if only someone had been armed thing would have turned out different is just naive.  If someone had been armed and trained to operate in tactical situations, maybe yes, but to think some 19 year old with a new pistol could save the day, I suspect a good outcome would be very unlikely.  It's very rare when the addition of a pistol affects the outcome positively.  As for these right-wing talk radio guys.  I think they're all a bunch of p***sies who hide behind a microphone. Anyone who tries to improve his position by using these poor kids should be tarred and feathered and run out of town.  Cowards all--the whole lot of them.

And this right-wing jackass who blames these poor kids for getting murdered by some lunatic really burns me up. We can argue back and forth all day about what might have happened, what happens in a crossfire, etc.  The truth is--we don't know what would have happened.  This was a terrible tragedy and for this coward to use it to inflate his ratings is sickening. 

Where things went wrong was when a mentally-ill young man was able to buy two pistols.  He did this in direct violation of Federal gun laws.  We can tighten up the enforcement without doing away with the 2nd Amendment and most law abiding gun owners would not mind expanded background checks. 

Though I support the right to bear arms, I also believe the existing laws be enforced, gun show loopholes done away with and every person who is diagnosed with a mental illness should be flagged so that it shows up in any background check.  We should also make it manatory that people be tested and educated on gun safety and especially taught about what responsibilities a gun owner has.  Finally, I believe we need a longer federally mandated waiting period.  It would help in the area of crimes of passion. Right now, here in Kentucky, I can buy a weapon in about 10 minutes.  That's too quick and I sure wouldn't mind waiting a few days for a more comprehensive check. 

Guns are not toys--they are tools.  You should have to undergo the same background check to buy a firearm anywhere, whether it be Virginia or Washington DC. I grew up in a gun owning family and as far back as I can remember I was taught gun safety and responsiblity.  Nowdays, so many people go out and buy guns without the background I have.  Parents don't own guns and children aren't taught to be responsible like I was.  So if we are going to have guns in our society, (a Pandora's box that's already open) I believe real background checks, education and testing is of the highest importance. 

As for our talk radio jerk--Blackburg radio should drop his show, and if you're living in Blacksburg and aren't boycotting the station he's airing on, you should be. 

  We're going to have to get used to the fact there are assholes out there on the radio. I'm sick of the right wing big mouths out there who stink up the airwaves, but they're gonna be there as long as they have good ratings.  Oddly, Don Imus was the only one I listened to and though I thought his statements were awful, I hear worse from Rush and other right wing asses every day and they seem to do nothing but make more money. Too bad really, as Imus had some redeeming qualities and interesting guests.  Still no excuse for his racist remarks and I don't defend them.  He crossed the line.  I'm not sure why the Limbaughs get away with worse every day but there seems to be plenty of room on the airwaves for Rush and others. 

We have different backgrounds and views concerning gun rights but you and I are on the same page about irresponsible gun use and ownership. Kudos! Guns are not toys but there have been more and more pushing from the NRA to not only prevent more common sense gun control measures but want a more public presence of guns, which can put people in harm's way. Even Alberto Gonzales today said more guns on college campuses won't help security/safety!

We can have different view on guns and still be good Democrats.  As far as the NRA, I despise how they have politicized this issue and hate how they've used money to push Congress.  I'm positive the NRA does not represent the views of most responsible gun owners. 

I don't know the outcome if someone there had been armed, but for me, I don't want to see our students carry a gun just to get an education.  I carried a gun at a time when I was responsible for large amounts of money and was on the road.  I had legitimate reasons to carry, but I would urge everyone to make sure they have good reasons to get a carry permit.  It's a big responsibility and not for everyone. 

by clicking here.  Tell them what you think of Boortz's disgusting remarks, and how they reflect on the companies that sponsor him.

I sent an email to his syndicater.

Who sponsors Boortz on the Blacksburg affiliate? Contacting them will make a difference.

has always been easier than trying to find real solutions to real problems. The smearing -- by the right-wing nut-jobs -- of those killed in Blacksburg started the day after the shooting.

This is absolutely unbelievable. You've got an entire community in the grips of post traumatic stress and here comes this oaf Boortz (and his oaf syndicators) poking a stick at them. 

There's no shortage of load-mouthed oafs in the world. What makes Boortz different is that there are many people -- all his syndication partners and advertisers-- who support him and make it possible for him to pollute the minds of a broad audience with his trash.

As they say about those awards named for the 19th century naturalist, this is an entire group of people wading in the shallow end of the gene pool. Call me overly cautious, but in Virginia you don't just go around calling anyone's dead relatives wusses.

I just put in a call to one of the Neal Boortz sponsons, a Mister Sparky electric. Their 888-877-2759 number routed me to their local affiliate, which turned out to be in Maryland.

The nice lady on the phone said that I was the first to call about Boortz, but that they would let the head office in Atlanta know....

...then I told her about RK and took her to the YouTube video and talked further. It turns out that their company is actually in the process of affiliating with Mister Sparky for their national advertising reach, etc. 

Then an idea hit me:  I suggested that her company would be HEROES around here and get major earned media if they scuttled their affiliation based on this. (there must be some fine print in their contract that lets them back out if the national company becomes defamed). She's taking the idea to the owner.

Keep calling Mister Sparky 1-888-877-2759... if you get the Maryland branch, encourage them not to affiliate with Mr. Sparky, especially if Mr. Sparky does not make a press release pledge that they will not support Boortz.