THE CASE FOR CARRYING A GUN

I personally think that anyone who shoots another human being is not mentally fit to own a gun unless he's at war or unless it's in self-defense.  By definition, then, the shooter in Thousand Oaks should not have been possession of a firearm... or any weapon for that matter.  

I've always taken the position that, in these troubled times, citizens should buy a gun, learn how to use it under many varying conditions, get a concealed carry permit and carry their sidearm with them wherever they go.  The fact is that virtually all mass shootings occur in a building or area where people are not armed... schools, shopping malls, churches, etc.  They are what we call "soft targets," where there is likely to be little or no resistance to the shooting lunatic. 

Bars are classic examples of such soft targets; it is illegal in most jurisdictions for people to carry a firearm into a bar.  That is because people under the influence are likely to do crazy things; tempers are lost more easily and things escalate rapidly.  Anytime there is a shooting at a bar, you can bet that the shooter was lacquered up.  

Having said that, you would think that at least one patron in that bar would have had a weapon locked up in his car in the parking lot and been able to go and retrieve it.  While many states would at least revoke a concealed carry permit if they discovered the owner had had a few drinks and had a gun in his car, I can pretty much guess that a large percentage those of us who carry leave their gun locked up in their car when they go into a bar.  That being the case, someone should have been able to escape out a window, retrieve his/her gun and return to neutralize the shooter. 

I'm going to guess it took at least two minutes for law enforcement to arrive at the scene after the first call for help was made, and I'm also going to guess that a large number of those killed or injured were down within the first 60 seconds.  That's because there is a large number of people in close proximity and they don't instantly realize what is going on.  Two minutes into such a situation and any capable, trained shooter can get 90 or more shots off, each of which could easily find its mark. 

Simply put, they were all sitting ducks.  Anybody walking into a location where guns are prohibited is increasing his/her risk.  I personally don't linger in such places very long and I always check out escape routes as soon as I do go in.  

Get a gun.  Learn how to use it.  Get a permit to carry.  Carry wherever you go.  Don't be to blame for not being able to  stop a tragedy like this.