[Labyrinthos]

See the article I posted at #362. "The people" weren't armed, but a security guard was, and it looks as if he may have hit two people in the balcony as he returned fire in the direction of the shooter -- apparently nobody taught the security guard that returning fire into a group of 100 people isn't a good idea.

That's my whole point. Although I would like to think that every law abiding citizen in NYC ought to be able to carry a gun, the reality is that with nearly 8 million residents and another two million daily commuters, most of these law abiding gun owners would probably make the situation worse and kill or wound innocent people. There are certainly many situations where carrying a gun is a deterent to crime or may stop a crime in progress. This was probably not one of them.

[GovernmentShrinker]

Sorry, but the vast majority of the violent crimes in New York City happen in dark alleys, stairwells, deserted subway platforms, etc., where the defensive shooting into a crowd phenomenon couldn't happen. This City Hall case is VERY unusual.

[Shooter 2.5]

Whether you know it or not, you just invoked the tired, old "Blood in the streets" lie. There are thirty-five states that have Concealed Carry Laws with no problems.

Two of those states allow it's citizen's to carry with no restrictions and without the need for applying for a license.

[jjm2111]

Then have stricter tests and training for permit holders. Anyone willing to jump throught the hoops would probably be better trained than the security guard.

Also, most people who get concealed carry permits are more well versed in firearms and tactics than $10/hr. security guards