According to a friend who passes that Safeway twice every day, I believe she said that she said it’s been reported on their local news that a retired LtCol inside the store had a concealed handgun. She said he was in the Safeway when the shots rang out. He ran to the front of the store, but when he appeared outside with his weapon drawn, he was stopped by two men who were unsure of his motives. By then, the 15 seconds of shooting was over, and Loughner was on the ground being subdued.
I’ve not heard any mention of the LtCol nationally.
When a shooting starts, if lots of people pull guns there is immense danger of the wrong people getting shot.
If people are being shot and you see three people with guns, how the hell are you supposed to know which are the bad guys? Although the bald guy with the crazy glare is a good place to start.
Not a criticism of the idea of concealed carry, just a recognition that this is a horrible situation with no easy answers.
Would her aides have been in a position to quickly react, and quickly bring down the shooter?
Maybe they would not have been in the right place to end the rampage. (Which is what I am wondering)
How would the media have reacted to a hero who shot, and perhaps killed, Loughren?