Regardless of how many laws are passed, background checks made, and zero tolerance policies put in place, the fact remains that there is no way to stop a person who is willing to sacrifice their own life in exchange for a few minutes to make a statement. Therefore in the end it comes down to the time it takes between when the attack starts and someone (anyone) responds to effectively stop it – and this usually means return fire. Experience has shown that in most cases when the shooter meets incoming fire they either give up, or commit suicide – usually the latter.
So it comes down to the old saying, “when seconds count, the police are only minutes away.” The shortest possible response time will be if the responder is at the site, or better yet, in the same room where the assault is taking place. The longest will occur when law enforcement officers have to respond from some distance away. The longer the time, the more innocent victims will die or be wounded. This fact should be self-evident.
So in answering various news media, school or university officials, law enforcement officers and whoever; ask, “Exactly how do you propose to reduce to the shortest possible time an effective response to the shooter?”
So it comes down to the old saying, “when seconds count, the police are only minutes away.” The shortest possible response time will be if the responder is at the site, or better yet, in the same room where the assault is taking place. The longest will occur when law enforcement officers have to respond from some distance away. The longer the time, the more innocent victims will die or be wounded. This fact should be self-evident.
So in answering various news media, school or university officials, law enforcement officers and whoever; ask, “Exactly how do you propose to reduce to the shortest possible time an effective response to the shooter?”