They cannot shoot the looters because these are people in shock, desperate. They would not know who they were shooting.
Just think a minute please. If they go in shooting at people there will be a total panic and all victims would feel as if they were under attack. They would then turn against those trying to help and we would have riots, mobs and all else.
We cannot afford to just do what makes US feel good. Let the authorities handle this with care, thought, and consideration that these people have been through hell, lost all they had in the world and have no communication that people are coming to help.
quote "They would then turn against those trying to help and we would have riots, mobs and all else"
Earth to ClancyJ... we already have all the above.
If they don't start shooting to kill, these gangs will kill more people. Maybe YOU are the one who should stop and think. These gangs are firing at rescuers, because they don't want the looting to stop. They're having a grand time, and don't want it to stop. They're also interfering with helping people in need. And you would want to let the suffering die, so a looter can live to loot some more? Not me.