swingpress
Member
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2006
- Messages
- 128
Hi folks,
I intend to speak before the committee in favor of AZ SB1214 tomorrow, 2/18/08. SB1214 would additionally allow AZ CCW permit holders to carry in school buildings and at election places.
I would really like your help in order to present the best case possible within the 2-3 minutes I will be allowed to make my case.
So far, the best I have to offer is something like this. I'll be the first to criticize it for coming across as vigilante. I think that is going to be my biggest hurdle. Truth is, that is the goal, to protect those who look to us for protection. It is somewhat vigilante.
Advice?
I intend to speak before the committee in favor of AZ SB1214 tomorrow, 2/18/08. SB1214 would additionally allow AZ CCW permit holders to carry in school buildings and at election places.
I would really like your help in order to present the best case possible within the 2-3 minutes I will be allowed to make my case.
So far, the best I have to offer is something like this. I'll be the first to criticize it for coming across as vigilante. I think that is going to be my biggest hurdle. Truth is, that is the goal, to protect those who look to us for protection. It is somewhat vigilante.
Advice?
INTRODUCTION:
Honorably discharged US Marine. (love this country, this state)
Concealed permit holder (submitted to and cleared background check).
Regular competitor at local pistol competitions. (even won a couple).
Work in AZ schools.
On 2/14 a KNAU announcer, in the habit of saying "Northern Arizona University", while reporting the tragedy at Northern Illinois University accidentally misidentified the location of the shooting as Northern Arizona University before correcting himself. My heart skipped a beat. I suspect the heart of every Arizona listener did the same.
Heaven forbid that kind of violence should ever come to Arizona schools. We must take steps to ensure that it does not.
PROBLEM:
Students rightfully expect protection from us.
Criminals, by definition, do not obey lays. (including weapons restrictions)
Schools are known by terrorists and security experts as "soft targets" because of their vulnerability.
Law enforcement are not omnipresent. A well organized attack would include a plan to avoid or eliminate known security personnel.
EXAMPLES OF PERMIT HOLDERS STOPPING ATTACKS:
December 9, 2007 - Matthew Murray killed 2 and injured 3 at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, CO before being stopped by a concealed-permit-holder and volunteer security guard Jeanne Assam. Assam is credited with saving "over 100 lives" by the pastor.
October 1, 1997 - Luke Woodham killed 2 and injured 7 during a shooting spree at Pearl, MS High School. Woodham heard approaching sirens and was making his escape to the Pearl, MS Middle School where he planned to continue his attack, when he was confronted and stopped by Vice Principal Joel Myrick armed with a .45. Joel. Myrick had run to his truck when he heard the first shots and retrieved the pistol. What if he had been wearing it?
SOLUTION:
I, as a permit holder can only make the decision that I will not allow a madman to prey on innocent people undeterred in my presence. This is statistically unlikely in the first place as I, also, am not omnipresent.
You as legislators can make a much more effective decision. You can force criminals to run a credible risk that I , or someone like me, will be present to stop or limit the scope of a tragedy. I believe the effect of signing this law could be much more than that of employing an additional security guard at each school.
Even if a particular school does not have a permit-holder who chooses to prepare for the worst, that school can still benefit from the doubt created in the mind of an attacker who must face the challenge that anyone might be capable of stopping an attack.
I am not the most qualified person I know who would use their concealed permit to make schools safer. I am not the runner-up.
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