An Over-reaction To The Tech Shooting

Harrisonburg Daily News ^ | 2007-11-15 | Staff Editorial

[neverdem]

W. Gerald Massengill chaired the Virginia Tech Review Panel that minutely probed the April 16 shootings in Blacksburg. Mr. Massengill is also the former superintendent of the Virginia State Police. Thus, when he comes out in favor of ending the exemption on background checks in the sale or trade of firearms by unlicensed dealers, his is a voice that carries much resonance. We understand that.

Nonetheless, we adjudge Mr. Massengill guilty of over-reaction, of throwing babies out with the bathwater. The horrific crimes of Seung-Hui Cho had absolutely nothing to do with the sale, purchase, or exchange of firearms at gun shows or auctions. Mr. Cho bought the guns he used with such deadly effect from a licensed gun dealer. That he was able to do so even though he had been found mentally ill has been resolved via an executive order from Gov. Kaine. We feel certain the General Assembly will take further corrective action in this regard come January.

But remove the gun-show exemption? We do not deem this a proper course, if only because no hard-and-fast data exist linking gun violence with sales made at gun shows. Usually, these transactions are between collectors or hobbyists, and involve the sale or trade of a single weapon.

We commend Mr. Massengill for his unstinting service to the commonwealth. And we can appreciate his desire to prevent similar tragedies as that which took place at Tech. But we still see no reason to take the over-reactive step he recommends.

[neverdem]

BANG!

[Sudetenland]

Massengill? It that his real name? Imagine living your life being named after a feminine hygiene product. What a wuss. Guns are dangerous. Guns kill people. Guns should be banned, then only people would kill people.?!?

If all of those students had possessed CCL's and firearms, that dudes rampage would have been real short.

Mssengill from the state of Vagina. Imagine that.

[Sudetenland]

Massengill? It that his real name? Imagine living your life being named after a feminine hygiene product. What a wuss. Guns are dangerous. Guns kill people. Guns should be banned, then only people would kill people.?!?

If all of those students had possessed CCL's and firearms, that dudes rampage would have been real short.

Massengill from the state of Vagina. Imagine that.

[Misterioso]

Not only is your post tasteless, it ‘s twice as tasteless.

[Misterioso]

And your tag contains a misspelling.

[wafflehouse]

that Massengill guy is a douche

[jrsmc]

Not only is your post tasteless, it ‘s twice as tasteless.

Yeah but hopefully it's also less filling.

[P8riot]

....from the state of Vagina

Your's and every other American's freedom was conceived and consummated here in Virginia, be a little more respectful.

[from occupied ga]

Mr. Massengill is also the former superintendent of the Virginia State Police

But "the police are on our side." < /sarcasm>

[from occupied ga]

You beat me to it.

[Corin Stormhands]

Your's and every other American's freedom was conceived and consummated here in Virginia, be a little more respectful.

Not to mention the fact that Stephen Austin and Sam Houston were Virginians before they were Texans.

[stevie_d_64]

“taste great?”

Ohhhh, gag me with a pitchfork! (a little valley talk for ya)

Now all we need is a tasteless beer commercial ad with bosomed girls battling it out in water, mud, jello or some form of pudding...

Yep, then this would be tasteless...But entertaining...