Breaking: Omaha, NE mall shooting

[The_Shootist]

Ah Well...

Carried my G19 for along while after VT....recently got lazy and started carrying my snubbie again. guess its back to the Glock for awhile.

 

[Ed Ames]

They didn't happen in the past because "kids" in the past usually grew up around guns and didn't see them as a magic talisman of dark power. That and there wasn't a huge media engine waiting to spread word of such incidents around the globe so when they did happen nobody really noticed.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Also, how come things like this didn't happen in the past? 30 years ago?

This stuff did happen then.
But I think (could be wrong here) that there was a lot less "bubble wrap" around our lives and so Johnny-screwed-up-in-the-head was allowed to have a knife and would get caught torturing kittens at a young age and never even made it to the adult world.

In academia it's considered one of the crowning ironies that the success of the mental health monitoring/support system means that there are more mentally and emotionally screwed up folks making it to college than ever before (they used to self-destruct much MUCH earlier, long before making it to college) but then they get to college and "out on their own" and the support system that got them to that point stops and THEN they self-destruct.

Unfortunately, someone self destructing at age 20 is capable of doing a HELL of a lot more damage then when they used to blow-out at age 11.

 

[RNB65]

Also, how come things like this didn't happen in the past? 30 years ago?

Uh, do the names Andrew Kehoe, Richard Speck, Mark Essex, Charles Whitman, Jim Jones, Ronald Simmons, etc., etc., etc., mean anything to you?

Mass murder is nothing new. The only thing that's new is 24hr cable news channels that glorify it and create copycats.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Has anyone noticed that those acts are commited by "kids" ???

Also, how come things like this didn't happen in the past? 30 years ago?

"I don't like Mondays" -Brenda Ann Spencer

 

[mekender]

Also, how come things like this didn't happen in the past? 30 years ago?

because somewhere around the end of the 1950s a good percentage of parents stopped parenting... largely because of the sheer numbers of kids that grew up without parents during world war II... those kids went on to become hippies and war protesters raising kids that grew up thinking that the world was evil and that the government was out to get them, also believing that there was nothing wrong with "medication"... another generation later, medication becomes the fix all for an entire generation of kids... instead of parenting, parents dose their kids... fast forward to the current generation and its not hard to see how problems can begin... im not saying that all kids from those backgrounds ended up bad, but it only takes a few...

 

[wrc]

Jeff White:

There is a reason many prominent nazis were buried in unmarked graves.

Excellent point. For every horror-driven reaction, there is a counter-reaction.

In this case, I don't think there's enough "backwash" to make that measure useful.

Any more news about the shooter and the path to this tragedy?

 

[HGUNHNTR]

My wife was in the Von Maur store when this all transpired. She is still incredibly shaken, I just wish I could have been there with her.
Your thoughts and prayers would be greatly appreciated.

 

[22-rimfire]

Unfortunately, like illegitmate births, the problem did not become mainstream until it started showing up in what many would consider normal middle class families. The Colombine School thing brought all this to a head. Add to that broken families, drugs, and the isolation that can come with dependance on internet friendships and you have more potential pyshcos that don't get noticed until they erupt. Who is at fault?

 

[Pigspitter]

This hurts my hopes of a Simonov or Kalasnikov for Christmas bad. My prayers go out to those who were injured.

 

[nplant]

Local (San Francisco) news talk radio is discussing this tonight. I was surprised that the initial coverage seemed pretty fair, and they actually aired some "Joe Public" commentary to the effect that this is the price we pay for living in a free society. But now the talk show host is taking calls and the general tone is more what you'd expect - "Why can't the government protect us?" Also had an "expert" former FBI agent saying that metal detectors is the only thing that could have prevented this tragedy. What? He also said that if you find yourself in this situation "Hunker down and call 911." He was serious. I wrote in a couple of letters to the editors. Doubt it'll get much response though.

 

[PILMAN]

Media saying its a SKS with two AK47 mags taped together

 

[strat81]

Just to clarify some things about Nebraska Gun Laws:
-Nebraska does allow lawful CCW. The law went into effect the beginning of 2007.
-The CCW law does not preempt local statutes, meaning, local cities can choose to ban CCW.
-Omaha DOES NOT ban legal CCW. Neither does Lincoln. Some NE cities that do include Kearney, Hastings, Columbus, and Holdrege.
-Property owners may post "conspicuous notice" (signs) that ban CCW on their premises. Conspicuous notice and sign design/content are not defined in the statute and these signs DO carry the weight of the law, potentially resulting in a misdemeanor and a loss of your CHP.

For more info on CCW in NE, visit www.ccwne.com. We'd love to have you there!


I've been thinking about this A LOT. I've been to that mall before although I don't frequent it. I'm not sure what I would have done.

In a chaotic situation like that, I don't think I'd draw my pistol if I haven't located and identified the threat. Hearing shots is not enough and having a gun in your hand in the middle of a massacre may not be the best thing.

If I did locate the threat, depending on the distance, I may not fire. I've tried shooting my G26 at 100 yard targets and couldn't land a single shot on the paper. I'm much better at 25 yards, but 100 yards is too far for me. Even if I was well practiced, shooting a pistol at 100 yards on a range is much different than in a crowded mall with a lunatic firing a rifle at you.

If I was in a back room, I'm not sure if I'd identify myself as a CCW holder and draw my weapon in anticipation of the shooter finding us. The sheeple could panic and possibly consider me the threat.

I guess I'm just not cut out to be an Internet commando.

 

[BobbyQuickdraw]

I have a Glock26 too, strat, and due to its subcompact nature it is definitely not a match pistol. The farthest I've shot out with it is basically like 15-20 yards. At that distance I can score body hits, but under pressure, shooting up, in a mall full of crowded people, who knows?

Maybe its something to consider in CCW. We all probably prepare for an engagement between 0 and 10 yards, but in a situation like this, who knows what the distance is? With a lot of smaller pistols, these shots are very difficult.


And not sure if anyone posted it yet, but the police during a conference called his SKS an "assault rifle."

 

[yesit'sloaded]

SKS was used

ABC News has confirmed with two sources that the gun used at Westroads Mall was SKS-style assault rifle with two magazines taped together found at the scene.

That isn't a concealed weapon. Guy just walked right in past the no gun sign and started blasting.

 

[NeoSpud]

In academia it's considered one of the crowning ironies that the success of the mental health monitoring/support system means that there are more mentally and emotionally screwed up folks making it to college than ever before (they used to self-destruct much MUCH earlier, long before making it to college) but then they get to college and "out on their own" and the support system that got them to that point stops and THEN they self-destruct.

Unfortunately, someone self destructing at age 20 is capable of doing a HELL of a lot more damage then when they used to blow-out at age 11.

This is REALLY profound. I've long considered the media blitz made possible by technological advancement to be the most likely culprit, though your words make me think harder (and hard thinking is good for you ).

As a "psych-guy," I enjoy how you worded that. It makes me think about some potential topics for future research. I'm going to go query some databases, and see what I can find... I think I might have a good idea around here

 

[XD-40 Shooter]

The SKS is not an assault rifle! This rifle is classified as curio and relic by the ATF. This kind of media reporting really pisses me off. The moron's at CNN would not not know an assault weapon if it kicked them in the butt. Now there will probably be a big campaign against SKS's, they have been sucessfull at demonizing the AK-47, now the SKS will be toast.

I sympathize with the victims, don't get me wrong. It just irritates the hell out of me to hear ignorant people demonize weapons they know nothing about. I'm pretty sure none of the talking heads at CNN has ever seen an SKS up close.

 

[NeoSpud]

The SKS is not an assault rifle! This rifle is classified as curio and relic by the ATF. This kind of media reporting really pisses me off. The moron's at CNN would not not know an assault weapon if it kicked them in the butt. Now there will probably be a big campaign against SKS's, they have been sucessfull at demonizing the AK-47, now the SKS will be toast.

Don't forget that guy who shot and killed ~5 hunters a while back (2005 IIRC?) with an SKS.

Yep, these eeeeeevil SKS' sure are a threat. Especially the one that I remember a local reporter calling "a semi-automatic machine gun."

 

[jimbob86]

First things first. This was NOT a tragedy. A tragedy is an unfortunate occurrance. A baseball team being hit by lightning is a tragedy. Two airplanes colliding and falling on you is a tragedy.

This was an ATROCITY. An extremely cruel or wicked act. This was EVIL. Malicious.

This POS wanted to be famous. The Media (and some folks HERE) are giving him exactly what he wanted. Sort of ..... he has INFAMY, not Fame (that is a difference without distinction for todays youth!) It would be best, in an effort to discourage copy cats, IMNSHO, to ban his name from the lexicon, and his image from the airwaves and screens. Talk about the news, but refer to him with a pejorative- The Von MaurManiac, the Westroads Wacko......etc. ........ any more creative suggestions?

One of his "Buddies" said" He wanted to go out in a 'Blaze of Glory'...... and he did." Care to explain just what IS SO EFFIN' GLORIOUS ABOUT GUNNING DOWN INNOCENT DEFENSELESS PEOPLE, YOU SICK BASTARD!?!?!? Something is rotten down Bellevue way.......


It seems I wrote something similar in April about V-Tech....... there is nothing new under the sun........ Gun Free Zone+Active Shooter= As many dead as the shooter feels like killing.....

Mourn the dead, comfort the survivors, and prepare for the next Goblin. CARRY. TRAIN. Stay alert, Stay Safe. Because you are Just.One.Person.

 

[uneasy_rider]

The SKS is not an assault rifle! This rifle is classified as curio and relic by the ATF.

Well, he sure as heck ASSAULTED a lot of people with his RIFLE.

 

[Logos]

For whoever was maligning the G26 earlier.

The G26 will place hits center mass on silhouettes at 25 yards with practice. You can count on it. I do it all the time. It also fits in a pocket holster in my right front pocket (Cabela's Trail Hiker pants conceal it just fine and are real comfortable).

I never shoot it at 50 yards, but I bet I could make it real hot for somebody at that distance and farther.

I don't know what would happen under fire, but I'd sure rather have it in my pocket than a package of gum and a nail clipper if bullets suddenly started flying past me in a mall.

I sure as hell wouldn't be a sheep and the shooter would damn quick have a severe health hazard to ponder.

Where I'm from you go right past those "No Guns" signs (except Federal buildings) and there's no way anybody is going to bother you unless you're really inept with concealment.......and the most they can do is ask you to leave anyway.

That said, if I encountered a shooter in a mall, I hope I would be thinking cautious rather than aggressive.

When bullets start to fly in a crowded mall, there is always a possibility that they could end up in unintended places.....like the cerebral cortex of some grandma around the corner and a flight up from you.....I'd hate to have one of my 9mms found in such a place.

Then there's always the chance that some cop will finally turn up and shoot you by mistake.

Lotsa things to think about before jumping right in.

 

[ColinthePilot]

I may not be the first to jump right in, but I sure as hell don't want to be another unarmed sheep. I usually only pack 10rds of 9mm hydrashok. no spare mags since i have no place to put something bulky like that. I might reconsider.

 

[jderrick]

It's being reported that the shooter was using an SKS and had two magazines taped together. Although I've seen examples otherwise, don't I recall that most SKSs are generally loaded with stripper clips, not magazines? Is the likelihood higher that it's being mis-reported than that the shooter was using some special version of SKS?

 

[ColinthePilot]

probably one of those cheap conversion kits that allow the SKS to feed AK mags. In my experience they're crap and misfeed constantly.

 

[White Horseradish]

There was a Chinese model of SKS that takes AK mags from the factory.