Take a gun to the mall

Chicago Tribune ^ | 25 feb 2015 | John R. Lott, Jr.

[rellimpank]

Over the weekend Somali terrorists threatened to attack the Mall of America in Minnesota. They called for a massacre similar to the 2013 Westgate shopping mall attack in Nairobi, Kenya, that killed and injured scores of people. With the large Somali population in the Twin Cities area, the threat is hard to ignore.

On Sunday, when asked a couple of times if Americans should still go to the mall, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson would only say: "I'm not telling people to not go to the mall." Somalia extremists urge attacks on U.S. shopping malls Somalia extremists urge attacks on U.S. shopping malls

Unfortunately, Americans have learned little from terrorist attacks like this. Mall of America officials think that by posting signs banning permitted concealed handguns that they are making the mall safer. They seem to believe that terrorists will obey these signs.

Right after the Kenya attack, Ronald Noble, the secretary-general of Interpol, which is a world version of the FBI and headquartered in Lyon, France, noted two means of protecting people from mass shootings. "One is to say we want an armed citizenry; you can see the reason for that. Another is to say the enclaves (should be) so secure that in order to get into the soft target, you're going to have to pass through extraordinary security."

[TurboZamboni]

If you see something, shoot something.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

Legally, they can’t post the MOA. Individual shops can. But, they don’t.

So, carry away at the MOA.

[Gaffer]

I like that!

[MrB]

Just headin' to the mall...

[Resolute Conservative]

I carry everywhere and avoid the mall at all costs.

[Kozak]

So we can either be sheepdogs or sheep.
Conservatives want to be sheepdogs.
Progressives are sheep.

[Cen-Tejas]

As a former retailer for 10 years in 2 large Regional Malls, I can say without equivocation that all this publicity is killing this mall and all store owners.

This weekend will no doubt suffer greatly in terms of “sales”.

Whether or not the mall is viable or not long term is the question.

[Cen-Tejas]

As a former retailer for 10 years in 2 large Regional Malls, I can say without equivocation that all this publicity is killing this mall and all store owners.

This weekend will no doubt suffer greatly in terms of “sales”.

Whether or not the mall is viable or not long term is the question.

[marktwain]

Glad to see John write this. He said that he likes my articles...

[mad_as_he$$]

Correction: DHS said there was a threat during a period when Congress was debating their budget.

[mad_as_he$$]

Amazon and ebay are killing the Malls, oh and roving bands of black thugs, more than any terrorism threat.

[Gaffer]

Whether or not the mall is viable or not long term is the question.

Malls will not be viable in the future unless they can erase the high probability of unchallenged yute mobs as a threat to the public at large.

The owners HAVE to challenge them and keep them out, period. Stand their ground and take their lumps. Elsewise, they will disappear.

[Gaffer]

Ditto. Carry big, carry extra magazines

[Blue Jays]

Metal detectors are also useless deterrents. Terrorists who seek to attack would simply overwhelm those lightly-guarded entrances with LOTS of firepower. They would essentially represent a minor speedbump.

If I were carrying in a mall, and trouble arose...my plan would be to keep my firearm concealed as long as possible and seek to escape by any means necessary. That would preserve somewhat of an element of surprise. Innocents do have the benefit of being able to see/hear who is shooting and where.

Here is to hoping none of us will ever have to endure that kind of terrible nightmare.

[Yo-Yo]

Legally, they can’t post the MOA.

Says who?

http://www.mallofamerica.com/guests/securityhttp://www.mallofamerica.com/guests/security

See bullet #2 under "Violations of the law."

http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/minnesota.pdf

See bullet #5 under "Places off limits even with a permit/license."

[DCBryan1]

Yep. When I need to head to the local mall, I put away my little Sig P238 or my wife's G42 and we upgun to our G20 and FN 5.7mm

Not getting caught in a mall deathtrap. Wife and I can hold our own, and if lucky, get an AK from a dropped bad guy to force multiply.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

You need to read the state statute, not MOA policy.

MOA is a landlord. Their tenants can post their individual stores, if they choose. They have chosen not to.

Works for apartment dwellers, as well. The landlord may not post the building, but individual tenants may.

[JimRed]

•Wearing clothing which deliberately obscures the face: such as hooded tops, will not be allowed.

That's rayciss, to black youths and Muslim women!

[Yo-Yo]

The Statute: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=624.714

Unless you know of specific case law to the contrary, the provision in Subdivision 17(e) only applies to a residential tenant as defined in 504B.001 Subdivision 12.

MOA owns and controls the entrances to the public spaces, and can post those areas.

In any case, concealed means concealed, and what I have on my person is my business. The worse that can happen is that I must leave the premises when asked or face misdemeanor trespass charges.