The NRA’s “good guy with a gun” slogan has shown up at least twice in letters about the Oregon community college rampage. Without a shred of evidence, the authors imply that Umpqua Community College killer chose this location because it was a “gun free zone.” In fact, Oregon law allows only one truly gun free zone — the state legislature building (what does that tell you about Oregon’s lawmakers’ real attitude toward guns?)
Individuals with concealed weapons permits can carry their weapons in all other public places. Several news outlets have interviewed at least one student who was on campus and legally armed during the rampage. John Parker Jr. was in a building near the site of the shooting. According to his interview, by the time he realized what was happening, a SWAT team was on campus. He correctly surmised that, if he headed out of the building with gun in hand, there was an excellent chance the SWAT team would focus on him. He appears to be a good guy, he had a gun and he could do nothing to prevent or lessen the carnage.
Francis Lynch
Edmonds
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