[arnie]

If we're really serious about reducing the number of mass shootings, the answer is multi-faceted. Obviously mental stability issues must be addressed and better documented as nobody of sound mind would choose to go to a public place and open fire. In addition, we must reduce the "gun free" places as they are obvious targets (the andedotal evidence is that even crazy people with guns don't choose places where they might find opposition). For example, in schools there MUST to be faculty members that carry concealed firearms and it MUST be know that these people are always on the premise.

All states should have a reasonable process to allow the law abiding public to carry concealled weapons. How many mass shootings have happened in Florida malls? I'm not saying everyone should carry, but the more law abiding citizens that do will be the best deterent.

As for assault weapons, when picking up your newly purchased AR-15, in many states you must show or buy a trigger lock. I have no problem with 30 round clips, but anything above that is excessive (10 round clips are pain in the butt). I am loathe to restrict lawful ownership of assault weapons as I do believe the main purpose of the 2nd Amendment is make sure the government knows the public can turn into a large army in short order (I forget George Washington's quote, but I remember it being quite profound). Remember your history, King George tried to disarm the colonists as he feared a revolution which is the case of most tyrannical governments, they disarm the populace before they show their true intentions.

That might be paranoid, unless you're right...

How do u know the faculty member won't snap (for what ever reason) and start shooting? It is kind of like a wolf in sheep's skin... There is no guarantee he or she wont. We only need 1 to slip through the cracks so to say... And that will already be 1 to many. Then we don't only have a shooter, but also a person who knows the property inside out and who students are familiar with. The shooting in Norway this year where the killer was dressed up as a police officer and the victims therefore approached him thinking he was there to protect them shows that "trusted" or perceived as trusted shooters are even more lethal.

Or what about the possibility of that faculty member being disarmed? I have personally several years of martial arts under my belt (pun intended) and disarming somebody with a firearm is really as easy as 1-2-3. Just because you have a gun doesn't mean you are superior, often quite contrary since it makes you "locked in".

Purposefully spreading guns -with the idea to protect- among the defenseless would IMHO therefore be true insanity. I would not feel safe knowing my children were on a school where faculty carry guns. I can't wait for the headline "teacher executes class; said he had enough".

Paranoia can never be the basis of a sound legal system.