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Ohio sniper and disarmed populace: Joseph Farah shows why police can't protect Americans
WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Wednesday, February 18, 2004 | Joseph Farah

Posted on 02/18/2004 12:24:24 AM PST by JohnHuang2

Ohio sniper and disarmed populace


Posted: February 18, 2004
1:00 a.m. Eastern

© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com

The case of the Ohio sniper is a perfect illustration of the dangers of disarming the public – and leaving crime-prevention and deterrence to the government.

The sniper has been shooting at people and cars since November of last year. He is linked to at least 24 shootings, including one murder.

Last weekend, he took a potshot at a Chevrolet Suburban in plain view of countless witnesses in broad daylight. The driver of the Chevy immediately called 911. After the shooter was finished, he sauntered to his car and slowly drove off.

Despite the fact that police aircraft responded within minutes, they came up empty again.

"The person appeared to be in no hurry," said Chief Deputy Steve Martin of the Franklin County Sheriff's Department. "I think we'll probably all agree that our particular shooter is becoming much more aggressive – much bolder – in letting himself be seen by the public. His intent is to hurt somebody."

The truth is that if you want to hurt someone in our broadly unarmed society today, it's not difficult.

The American people have become convinced that the police can protect them from bad guys like the Ohio shooter. The truth is that they can't.

Police detectives might be useful in putting together clues, working on the forensic evidence and enlisting the public to help them identify a menace like this. Usually police choose to go it alone, withholding information from the public that might actually lead to the capture of the attacker.

The only way the D.C. Beltway snipers were caught was when information about the car they were using was released to the press and public. After terrorizing the Washington, Virginia and Maryland area for months, they were caught within hours.

But the Ohio shooter is more brazen. He uses a handgun, which requires him to get close to his victims – within range of other citizens armed with handguns.

So far, apparently, not one of those witnesses or victims has had a firearm handy. It's too bad. Firearms can come in quite handy in situations like this – even more handy than the cell phone to dial 911.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: In this new age of terrorism and high crime, it is essential Americans demand their full rights under the U.S. Constitution to arm themselves, to protect themselves, to defend their country, to save their families.

The police are not equipped for this job. They do not have sufficient manpower. They are not omnipresent. Nor would we want our nation to become a police state.

The only way for us to maintain order, to clean up the streets, to govern ourselves and to defeat this kind of terrorism, is to encourage law-abiding citizens to arm themselves.

Yet I hear virtually no other voices even making this case. More and more of our cities are becoming "gun-free zones" – competing with one another to see which will become the murder capital of the nation. The most unsafe place to be in America is a "gun-free zone" – be it a school or a city like Washington, D.C.

The good news is that Ohio is set to become a concealed-carry state in April. Lawmakers may want to consider speeding up enactment of that new law. It might be the best thing the government can do to get this menace off the streets.





TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events; US: Ohio
KEYWORDS: bang; banglist
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Wednesday, February 18, 2004

Quote of the Day by Viking2002

1 posted on 02/18/2004 12:24:25 AM PST by JohnHuang2
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To: All
For you obscure sci fi buffs.

Lester Del Rey wrote an excellent short story on this entitled "Why Johnny Can't Speed." I have never been able to find a copy of it.

In essence, it is based on the premise that you have to defend yourself on the highway and the government is not able to do the job.
2 posted on 02/18/2004 2:32:55 AM PST by longtermmemmory (Vote!)
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To: JohnHuang2
Nor would we want our nation to become a police state.

Joseph needs to get out more. Take a stroll down the sidewalk in Manhattan and you'll see a police state on steriods. When I was there a few weeks ago there were at least two cops on the street for every pedestrian. And, in front of my hotel, were three commandos in black ski masks with M16's.

I'd call that a police state three times over!

3 posted on 02/18/2004 2:42:49 AM PST by The Duke
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To: The Duke
Try walking on the street in Athens, Greece.

They have a real good reason for now. However, the only think missing is the mysterious black helicopters.
4 posted on 02/18/2004 2:46:30 AM PST by longtermmemmory (Vote!)
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To: longtermmemmory
They have a real good reason for now. However, the only think missing is the mysterious black helicopters.

Actually, the commandos I saw last month in NYC were pretty much the same thing as "black helicopters".

5 posted on 02/18/2004 3:12:53 AM PST by The Duke
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To: JohnHuang2
I should be posting yesterdays front page tirade by the South Dalota state nra rep vis-a-vis lobbyists for South Dakota Gun Owners who are protesting a law passed in this state that allows the governor as part of the anti-terrorism bill to seize private property including guns. The nra's position was its usual double speak, completely disregarding it's decades long wishy washy stand on the second amendment that has produced so much gun control since 1968 that the populace is now completely outgunned by the military, and police forces, and getting worse every year.

Bottom line, by defending the Constitution, South Dakota Gun Owners has taken the radical position, according to the said nra rep, who ought to know better, but feigns not to, or is following the script, or is flat lying through his teeth. When legislators squeal, and opposing lobbyists obfuscate, someone has found the hot button that brings out the worst in all of them.
6 posted on 02/18/2004 3:18:43 AM PST by wita (truthspeaks@freerepublic.com)
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To: The Duke
could be anticipation for the RNC convention.

Given the lead in of terror groups, security had to be pressent as early as possible. Besides, if those police are union, the men who watch their pension funds are really happy.
7 posted on 02/18/2004 3:41:43 AM PST by longtermmemmory (Vote!)
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To: longtermmemmory
Lester Del Rey wrote an excellent short story on this entitled "Why Johnny Can't Speed." I have never been able to find a copy of it.

Possibly because you've been looking for the wrong author. Try Alan Dean Foster....

The story originally ran in Galaxy in the September, 1971 issue, and you might find a used bookseller with a copy, or one might turn up on eBay.

It also was included in at least two Sci-Fi anthologies: Don Wollheim's 1972 Annual World’s Best SF, from DAW, 1972 and in a collection entitled With Friends Like These from Ballantine in 1977.

More ADF info *here*.

8 posted on 02/18/2004 3:45:16 AM PST by archy (Concrete shoes, cyanide, TNT! Done dirt cheap! Neckties, contracts, high voltage...Done dirt cheap!)
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To: longtermmemmory
Lester Del Rey wrote an excellent short story on this entitled "Why Johnny Can't Speed." I have never been able to find a copy of it.

Possibly because you've been looking for the wrong author. Try Alan Dean Foster....

The story originally ran in Galaxy in the September, 1971 issue, and you might find a used bookseller with a copy, or one might turn up on eBay.

It also was included in at least two Sci-Fi anthologies: Don Wollheim's 1972 Annual World’s Best SF, from DAW, 1972 and in a collection entitled With Friends Like These from Ballantine in 1977.

More ADF info *here*.

9 posted on 02/18/2004 3:45:50 AM PST by archy (Concrete shoes, cyanide, TNT! Done dirt cheap! Neckties, contracts, high voltage...Done dirt cheap!)
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To: longtermmemmory
The American people have become convinced that the police can protect them from bad guys like the Ohio shooter

The police arrive in time to rope off the area & take photos of lifeless bodies.

10 posted on 02/18/2004 5:07:34 AM PST by Puppage (You may disagree with what I have to say, but I will defend to your death my right to say it)
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To: JohnHuang2
the D.C. Beltway snipers were caught was when information about the car they were using was released to the press and public.

Oooo, can't we sue the car manufacturer?

11 posted on 02/18/2004 5:09:09 AM PST by Puppage (You may disagree with what I have to say, but I will defend to your death my right to say it)
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To: Puppage
Whether it was a conscious decision or not, the sniper wasn't out during Ohio's deer gun season. I know I traveled that stretch of highway several times. I made obscene gestures the whole way trying to draw fire, just so we could shoot back :^)
12 posted on 02/18/2004 5:21:06 AM PST by chadwimc
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To: JohnHuang2
"than the cell phone to dial 911."

Cell phone is handy to get someone to come scrape up the perp's body after the fact. My wife is from Ohio and we visit in-laws once a year. They are mostly amazed and some frightened that we both come armed.

13 posted on 02/18/2004 5:24:04 AM PST by Feckless
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To: JohnHuang2
In days gone by, every man had a firearm with which to
protect himself and his family. . . and every man knew
this. There was very little reason then for
anyone to be shot. Wonder why?
14 posted on 02/18/2004 5:53:26 AM PST by Twinkie
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To: longtermmemmory
I'll git 'em, I'll git 'em


15 posted on 02/18/2004 5:56:39 AM PST by Puppage (You may disagree with what I have to say, but I will defend to your death my right to say it)
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To: JohnHuang2
Essentially the same point about government being the wrong solution, from a different perspective, was made in the article posted here:

The Right Way to Do the Wrong Thing

Hank

16 posted on 02/18/2004 6:09:03 AM PST by Hank Kerchief
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To: JohnHuang2
Worth Repeating:

"The most unsafe place to be in America is a "gun-free zone" – be it a school or a city like Washington, D.C."
17 posted on 02/18/2004 6:26:32 AM PST by FreedomHammer
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To: *bang_list
Bang
18 posted on 02/18/2004 7:59:01 AM PST by Atlas Sneezed (Your Friendly Freeper Patent Attorney)
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To: JohnHuang2
the Ohio shooter is more brazen. He uses a handgun.

If he's within "handgun range" to shoot at cars, he is within handgun range from the cars he is shooting at.

He obviously is not afraid of somebody shooting back. Few people in Ohio can drive around with handguns in their cars.

Note that he isn't shooting at occupied houses!

19 posted on 02/18/2004 8:00:02 AM PST by Gritty (Carry a gun. Scare off Liberals and criminals - but, I repeat myself.)
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To: JohnHuang2
The American people have become convinced that the police can protect them from bad guys like the Ohio shooter. The truth is that they can't.

According to (federal and local) LEO in my family, it is not their primary job to protect the public from crime. It is their job to gather evidence after the fact to support the prosecutor's case in court.

20 posted on 02/18/2004 8:05:32 AM PST by bankwalker (Sow in the spring or beg in the fall.)
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