Schram: Colo. shootings a reminder of our 'target rich' world
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I listened to terrorism experts today talk about how the United States is "target rich."
They were referencing the Colorado movie theater that had been turned into a kill zone.
There's no real way to explain the actions of a madman, but that doesn't keep people from trying.
And suddenly it becomes seen as prudent for New York authorities to assign police to guard multiplexes where the new "Batman" movie is playing.
Suddenly it is acceptable to speculate as to why communities around the country have not had to cope with a gunman strolling through a supermarket or department store indiscriminately firing at people.
Suddenly every street fair, every parade, every sporting event, makes us "target rich."
Sometimes whispered, sometimes shouted, the debate over ridiculously easy access to semi-automatic weapons also is injected into the "target rich" conversation.
And then, almost as an afterthought, the experts caution us about why we can't allow being so "target rich" to create panic and fear in how we go about living our lives.
Meanwhile, gun laws will not be changed even as politicians insist they should be, the dead will be buried and the memory of this horror will fade, just as the memories of past horrors have faded.
Until we're once again tragically reminded of how we all live in a "target rich" world.
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Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also hook up with Ken on Facebook.
They were referencing the Colorado movie theater that had been turned into a kill zone.
There's no real way to explain the actions of a madman, but that doesn't keep people from trying.
And suddenly it becomes seen as prudent for New York authorities to assign police to guard multiplexes where the new "Batman" movie is playing.
Suddenly it is acceptable to speculate as to why communities around the country have not had to cope with a gunman strolling through a supermarket or department store indiscriminately firing at people.
Suddenly every street fair, every parade, every sporting event, makes us "target rich."
Sometimes whispered, sometimes shouted, the debate over ridiculously easy access to semi-automatic weapons also is injected into the "target rich" conversation.
And then, almost as an afterthought, the experts caution us about why we can't allow being so "target rich" to create panic and fear in how we go about living our lives.
Meanwhile, gun laws will not be changed even as politicians insist they should be, the dead will be buried and the memory of this horror will fade, just as the memories of past horrors have faded.
Until we're once again tragically reminded of how we all live in a "target rich" world.
-----
Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also hook up with Ken on Facebook.
Normally I find Mr. Schramm's commentaries interesting and thoughtful but I disagree with the phrasing of, and validity for the existence of a "Target Rich" society. It suggests a climate of paranoia that has no remedy.Â
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No society is "target rich," rather, there are vicious cowards who appear on the horizon from time to time and want only to inflict death and destruction on others. These are not "Madmen" or "Psychos" - they ar evil humans.Â
Holmes planned his attack meticulously, right down to dying his hair Orange in anticipation of an insanity plea and booby-trapping his apartment with incendiary devices.
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This is not about gun control. This is about self control. Anyone weilding a gun is potentially dangerous if they do not choose to exercise personal responsibility and hold themselves accountable for its use.Â
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People do things because they want to - if more people WANTED to care about one another, wanted to treat one another with dignity, wanted to help each other on a daily basis, wanted to view fellow humans as precious lives rather than a threat to their "piece of the pie" this would be a different world - the "vicious coward" factor might eventually disappear from the human experience. It will require a conscious effort to change. If more parents teach their children altruism and tolerance now, more people adopt personal responsibility coupled with empathy in the understanding that our actions affect others, there may be hope for future generations.Â
If one person in the movie theater had a gun and the willingness to use it properly, to defend the lives of those being attacked, this a**hole would not be sitting in a court room right now and maybe instead of 12 victims we would have had 6 victims and 1 justified homicide. Gun laws only keep guns out of the hands of law abiding citizens. Criminals will always find a way to get weapons.
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We need laws that keep guns out of the hands of crazies, criminals, and children. Or just responsible gun ownership.
I don't understand how you can really believe this, Ken! Guns are NOT the problem here, crazy people are!!! Obviously a law wouldn't change their actions. It's stupid to think it would!
Using this logic, we should be far more restrictive on driver licensing than we are. After all, far more homicides are committed with automobiles than with firearms.Â
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Yet, anyone over the age of 16 who can pass a test is automatically licensed.
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Restricting legal gun ownership will do nothing to curb gun violence. It will only encourage violent criminals and probably trigger more violent outburst from mentally disturbed malcontents.
Sorry Ken, no star for this one. People will get guns and convert them to fully auto if they want to. Mexico has strict gun laws and guess who has the guns, grenades, rocket launchers, and so on. It sure isn't the law biding citizens. It would be nice if something could be done about these nut cases that just want to kill, but no one has an answer yet. I carry. I carry in theaters, driving, anywhere it is legal to carry. If something like this should happen to me I want the ability and the right to protect myself and family. Screw the "take everyone's guns away" mob. If they had their way we would be in the same shape as the Mexicans.
Well, the real issue if not that we are "target rich" but that we seem to have a great many "target seekers" - people who dream of doing harm to others mostly just for the purpose of doing harm. And as this particular film feature demonstrates, people have their minds thoroughly wrapped around the seeker-target equation. Some seem to be wrapped a little too tightly.
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So the question is, what can we do about it? It seems to me there are a number of choices, but none seem likely to work:
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1. Try to limit the number of guns on the street. This could be helpful, but it will not stop determined assassins and it will not stop the use of alternative means of killing like bombs, knives, poison... and moreover it would do little to stop external threats from international terrorists that enter in among us. And owing to the Second Amendment, it will not succeed anyway.
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2. Try to alter the way that people think, by stopping the glamorization of violence as in entertainment like the film opening at this theater. Clearly, this sick fellow had mentally identified with the arch-villain "Joker" - and may also have been driven by a desire to out-Columbine Columbine or some such. Maybe if we eliminated most gratuitous violence from films, it would have less incendiary effect on those of unstable minds. However, any effort to force this would run smack into the First Amendment.
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3. We could put a policeman on every corner. Of course that is not guaranteed to be successful, the cost would be prohibitive, and the opportunity for abuse in turning the nation into a police state is unacceptable.
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4. We could make examples out of those who perpetrate these crimes, by applying the harshest of penalties: death, or even torture - even I can think of some choice things I would like to do to this sick "clown". But that will run afoul of the Eighth Amendment. Anyway, it is hard to "make and example" out of a Harris or a Klebold who blows his own head off after committing his mayhem.
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5. We could perhaps consider the Swiss formula, although it would be impossible to get people in the U.S. to accept the idea of universal conscription. However, it EVERY American citizen were trained in firearms and marksmanship as well as in military discipline - and if every one at least in certain age groups was required to be fully armed at all times - then we might see the "good guys" stopping the "bad guys" a bit quicker. But the opportunity for abuse and for theft of both guns and ammunition might offset any gains.In general, the more people we have walking around armed, the more chance that someone will manage to stop a marauder - but also the more opportunity for marauders and common garden-variety thieves to steal guns that would end up being used criminally.
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I don't frankly find much hope in any of the above. I'm afraid this is just going to keep getting worse and worse until Jesus returns - and before that day arrives we are promised an imposter (Antichrist) who will make all this mayhem look like games at a Sunday school picnic.
 @JLS1950 Perhaps you should read a comment before you reply to it..
 @JLS1950 Your theory has so many holes in it I think it's been to the gun range. You want to send gang bangers to the military? Limit the number of guns on the street? HOW? Make examples of those who use guns? How many people are doing life, long terms and put to death and still they keep shooting. Change the way people think?? I'd like to see that one. Sorry fella, better do a rethink on your ideas. I do not have an answer or even a theory on how to do it, but your way will not work, no way.
Gun laws shouldn't be changed and if there were merely ONE lawful carrier in that theater, the death count would have been MUCH lower. Â Our state's violent crime rates which we are open carry is maybe on tenth that of chicago which has a complete ban in place. Â I weep for the loss of life and injury as it is very sad but that doesn't change the fact that one person armed would have changed the outcome.
I hope the link works, here is a report from England and how well that gun ban thing is working. Â Also, Seattle, pay attention to how the individual there has no right to defend themselves but the criminals are protected and get very short sentences for crimes. Â The person who defends themselves however can get life in prison.
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This is where we are headed if we don't pay attention. Â It is not the gun, it is the person.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCkr2psNvCs&feature=player_embedded#!
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"ridiculously easy access to semi-automatic weapons".
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It's even easier to have access to matches. We should pass laws to regulate them, especially a ban on lighters which are semi-automatic and can more rapidly start arson fires.Seriously, if you have matches, there's no civil reason to have a high powered lighter in your home.
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Seriously, time to stop listening to terrorism 'experts' and start listening to wisdom. Stripping guns from the public just makes it even more 'target rich' for criminals who by definition scoff at laws and bans anyway. Or have you forgotten the mall shooting a few years ago that was stopped short because of a nearby gun carrier (who deterred the shooter)? You probably have, as it doesn't fit your ideology and introduces that nasty side effect called 'wisdom' into your thought process.
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Disarm America. Surely he jests. I live in the oilfields of ND now; my husband has been here for about four years, I have been here for two. He's native, but not of this ND tribe. A lot of oilfield work is on tribal land. Just last week, two bodies were found in a burning car - known "shysters", trying to make a quick buck in the oilfield. My husband has worked hard, minded his P's and Q's; employed people from the res, kept it straight with both the state and the tribe. Yet because he is successful here (and native), he is under the same threats as the two guys killed. He just bought a fine powerful handgun for his use; I do think I might ask for one a little more "girlie" for myself, even though I live in the city 75 miles away. You just never know.  I have four kids seven and younger to protect, and I'm only 5'2" and 110 lbs, and even my finer butcher knives seriously need sharpened. Yet we think I should not be able to keep a handgun for my own and my childrens' safety? Vote out Obama and discredit Ken.
 @Star96 And theres the rub. How many situations are there where people need to defend themselves and only a gun can do the job. Do we expect granny, small people, disabled people etc to duke it out with the thug who just broke through the door with a baseball bat, tire iron or knife? So many people think you can just call the police and everything will be fine. Riiiiight. Theres a huge chunk of America where the police are an eternity away in these situations. Gun control isn't going to help the problem where people do bad things. People will do bad things to others regardless. Bad people can simply drive their car into a crowd of people at a high rate of speed and dozens could be killed. Theres no end to the means that these nutjobs could employ. We need a people solution not a choice of weapon solution. These solutions are complex with everything from mental health issues to better enforced laws and prosecutions and more. Whats really sickening is the politicians are already lining up to use this situation and they haven't even buried any of the victims yet.Â
I would be ready to defend myself in only one situation. The one I'm involved in.
Ken,
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I'll repeat - When guns are taken from those owning them legally, only the lawbreakers will have guns. And making more gun laws doesn't solve anything if they don't enforce the laws on the books now.
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What needs to happen is the ACLU and namby pambies need to get out of the way and let those with mental issues be picked up and evaluated, locking them away as needed.
Ken, when will you and your "Progessive iberal" friends stop blaming the guns. Guns are not easy to get. You still have to fill out paper work, still have to submit to a back-ground check by the Federal Government. Its not easy. And its a right that we Americans have,  to enjoy our 2nd Amendment rights. Blame your media for glorifing violence on TV, thru computer games, and in the movies. Blame the gangs and drug smugglars that are bringing violence and illegal gumns to our front doors, but stop blaming a inanimate object.Â
Reports say the shooter colored his hair red and claimed to be the "Joker". Ken you need to post a commentary imploring law makers to force Hollywood to quit making violent movies since that is what caused this tragedy (sarcam) truely horrible what psychos are doing these days feel pretty sorry for the families, LEOs, EMS, medical workers and entire community has to deal with the aftermath is POS created.  (sincerity)
Some of these problems you can lay squarely at the feet of Ronald Reagan. He kicked the doors wide open to the insane assylum when he stopped funding mental health. And we've never addressed the problem since. Its very difficult to get mental health for people, particularly here in Washington. If we don't start treating mental illness as a disease then we will continue to have more of these kinds of actions. Also was it a fallout from poor medications for a mental problem? Some of these prescriptions for mental problems have more side effects than cures.
Right ... gun control will solve the problem. Look how well the 'war on drugs'Â worked. <sarcasm>
Ken, I USED to like to listen to you,but not anymore.Your just way to far out there now,you should feel ashamed of how you are now.rating aren't everything,but to you,that's all your about,komo needs to dump you and your out there thoughts.
OK KEN,you win.As of this moment Washington state is gun free.Burglars,drug dealers,gang bangers,you have 72 hours to turn in your guns.Yeah that'll work.As of now,washington is a crime free state,Everyone line up for a piece of pie and a tall glass of kool-aide.Thanks Ken,you saved us all.
It seems folks expect different actions from a "civilized society"- well, "civilized" does not excuse free will.  If we did not have guns we would have more "predation" by sociopaths, thieves, opportunists, drug dealers, pedophiles,rapists, etc.  We at least have some hope be arming ourselves when the system fails to identify and get these people off the street.  Rather than making it a gun issue- make it a capital punishment issue.  Eye for an eye might deter some folks of criminal acts against others.  Maybe not this time but there are plenty of lives lost to delinquent behaviors nationwide with very little concern for our current penal system....Â
Just the cost of living in a free society. These things will happen from time to time and there's really not anything you can do about it. This young man appeared to be a good stable kid, on the outside anyways. But obviously something wasn't going right. Pressures from college maybe, who knows. If you're concerned about this sort of thing then you should use your 2nd Amendment right to carry a gun with you. I carry mine everywhere I go for the last 30 years. Have had 2 opportunities to pull it and that was all that was needed to remove the threat. But if you do carry you have to be ready to take another mans life if the instance requires it. If you don't think you're capable of doing that then don't carry.
I am from another area of the US and just moved to the Seattle area... I was scared and the appalled by the gun laws in this state! The restaurants in this state, instead of posting no shirt, no shoes, no service instead post NO GUNS! Sorry, where I came from if you tried to carry a gun into a public place it would immediately be surrounded by police!! No carrying in parks, or any public areas! Here, the parents buy children sized guns for their kids... and they are using them! Taking them to School... Parents are allowed to carry concealed guns in their car so the kids play with them as they think they are a toy! They shoot each other!!... Sorry but I think gun laws need to be reformed, I don't care how much money the NRA gives the govenment!!
 @me Move back to wherever you came from and leave us law abiding gun owners alone.
Yea, why would you leave paradise to come to the Pacific "wild west" N.W. And why are you scared that honest, decent law abiding citizens have a right to own and carry a hand gun. I'm more afraid of the bad guys being the only ones armed. Now that's scarey.
 @me I have carried into stores, malls, movie theaters, a car with a child in it, a house with children in it, restaurants, coffee shops, you name it... Guess how many people I have hurt with mine? None. It's called responsibility. Those who are harming others with their guns will not, now or ever, care how many laws are on the books. They do not commit crimes with guns out of convenience, or because there's "not that many" gun laws. Guns and gun laws are not the problem. All of the children of the parents I know are taught at a young age that guns are not toys. A little responsibility goes a very long way.
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When I see a sign posted saying "No Guns", I take it more so as a recommendation or suggestion.
 @as a matter of fact If a private business (say, a restaurant) posts a "no guns" sign, it means they can ask you to leave if they notice it, and trespassing if you don't leave promptly. It caries no legal weight otherwise. So, in that sense, yes, it's a suggestion. It's not a law (unless it's a bar or some similar place where you cannot legally carry)
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Best response I've heard when someone was asked "why on earth do you carry [place]?!"
"Because I got dressed before leaving the house."
 @me which one of the 20000 gun laws need to be changed and remember 500,000 people with concealed weapons permits killed no one today in the state of Washington
@armor @me I don't think it's quite 500000 YET,but its getting close,last I saw it was 325000, and I'm one of them.
 @me Where are you from?
 @DarkParty  @me Probably Chicago.
@DarkParty @JT @me He should go back to where utopia you left from,we don't want you here anyway,or you can stay and just be afraid,be very afraid though.
 @JT  @me Why would anyone want to leave such a safe place to move here? /Sarcasm
I have a question in regards to anyone who believes had the crowd been armed the death toll could have been prevented. After the tear gas was set off and the crowd couldn't see or hear through the screams, if some were to pull their weapons and shoot, how would each of those persons been able to tell who was a defender or possibly another gunman? What would be the consensus if the crowd was shooting across at each other thinking they were shooting at perhaps a second or third or more terrorists?Â
@NoKitty666 Many of us have been trained in the Service how to defeat teargas temporarily. The theater was a gun free zone so I am afraid I would have not been there. I have carried for almost 20years, only pulled it once, didn't shoot anybody because he decided he really didn't want my wallet. This person doing the shooting was breaking the law by bring 4 guns into the gun free zone. Sure didn't stop him and more laws wouldn't have stopped him. A gun at the right place used correctly might have.
 @NoKitty666Â
Well first off dont shoot or fire in the direction of anyone before you are 100% sure who or what you are shooting at. Second aim towards the creep in the trench coat and mask. It is amazing what people can AND can't do during a time of distress like this and many other scenarios, so just make sure you know what and who you are aiming at before you even put your finger on the trigger.
 @NoKitty666 "A woman so close to the gunman who attacked a Batman movie premiere that hot shell casings landed on her head said he shot people trying to leave the theatre."
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Let's say this person was legally armed. At their discretion for their own personal safety, they could have probably shot him at close range. It's all speculation at this point, but if they were close enough to get hit with "hot shell casings", then they probably could have, if they decided to, shot and stopped the threat.
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Source:Â http://www.examiner.com/article/gunman-kills-12-colorado-theater-shooting-during-midnight-showing-of-batman
 @NoKitty666 Gun owners, hunters and concealed carriers are taught not to shoot unless they can see the threat- in a black theater, with smoke and chemicals- shooting at the killer could have hit an innocent bystander and would not have penetrated his body armor.  At least those who are responsible gun owners do so with the knowledge that a gun in the hand of a human can take a life.  Unfortunately, the screening process cannot predict or assess sociopaths who have yet to display their intent....it is what it is.  Guns give us some hope of personal protection in the right hands and situations. Â
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 @T Y Which is why folks should also carry a knife (in case there IS no safe shot, and be taught to close with the aggressor (bring the fight TO THEM). If everyone in the nearby rows of seats rushed him with the intent of grabbing his guns, ripping his arm off, and beating him to death with the bloody stump, then it would have been over a LOT faster. The attitude of "it's someone ELSE'S duty to stop the attack" is a contributing factor in this sort of deadly shooting. When cowards like this scum bag do their thing, you need to channel your inner Marine and CHARGE! It may be counter-intuitive, but it is actually the safest choice of actions for the group.
@RN1 @T YÂ Â First to rush is first one shot,will that be you hero?...not likely.
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Dito! Thank you!
So should a screening process be more complex in order to obtain a weapon and or ammo? Perhaps a mental health exam from a licensed doctor? Also, should all students at an early age be required to go through gun training and also perhaps a mental health exam? Â
in this case it wouldnt do much to have a gun, i have carried my gun to movies many times,
this guy had body armor on,tear gas makes you part blinded, hard to stop this guy, my thoughts and prayers to the people affected...
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So in this example, had you seen others shooting, you would not use your weapon because you would be slightly blinded and had known that the original shooter had on protection. You would have known somehow that the other shooters were defenders?
Gee, it take Schram long to turn this into a political statement, did it?
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You know Schram, if you would have just thrown in the leftist mantra that this was probably a Tea Party person, you would be first in line at the ABC News headquarters for the job of lead investigator alongside George Steponallofus.
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Please retire you gray haired loon.
Take away the guns and people become victims in their own homes. No, thank you.
Guns are not the problem, crazy people are. If there were no guns at all the crazies would just find a different weapon to kill with.
Well, Ken, after scanning these comments, I'd say "You lose".
Have a nice day!!
And, prayers to the victims and their families.