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Gunman Kills 32 in Virginia Tech Rampage
Shootings at a dorm and classroom on the Virginia Tech campus Monday, April 16, 2007, left at least one person dead and one wounded, and a suspect was arrested, authorities said. (AP Graphic)
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- Public Discussion (59)
Currently, the press is reporting 22 fatalities (including the lone gunmen) and 21 injuries.
To put things in perspective, Columbine High School, arguably the most infamous school-shooting, had 12 fatalities and 24 injuries.
It's safe to say that in regards to news this tragic, the press should hold off on reporting any numbers before they're confirmed. 10 minutes ago they were reporting one death.
- 2 votes
#2 - Mon Apr 16, 2007 12:33 PM EDTMikel, could you please direct us to a source indicating those 22 fatalities? Not that I believe it, but I'd like to know who in "the press" is saying this.
I agree with the newsmedia rushing to post number of deads. All over the news outlets, they're all reporting one dead. All in the name to be the first to post it. If you're going to rush to it, get the correct source before posting it all over.
#3 - Mon Apr 16, 2007 12:54 PM EDTthere's something dramatically wrong with how newsvine covers stories when what sets newsvine apart from other news sites (killfile's coverage of this topic, in this case) is vastly more accurate and appropriate than this lingering, outdated and inaccurate AP coverage, which continues to occupy the prime nv real estate.
- 4 votes
#7 - Mon Apr 16, 2007 2:24 PM EDTI absolutely agree. Killfile's coverage should be the leader on the front page. This AP article isn't very helpful. How do we get Killfile's article on the front page? That's what Newsvine is all about!
- 4 votes
What the media won't tell you is that this massacre could've possibly been prevented:
http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/wb/xp-50658
HB 1572 was defeated in January 2006. Had it passed, VT students and teachers with concealed carry permits would've been able to fight back and stop the gunman in his tracks. Instead, they were in a "gun-free" zone and, thus, sitting ducks.
- 14 votes
#8 - Mon Apr 16, 2007 2:45 PM EDTExactly. Apparently the gun control advocates just don't understand the simple logic that if you "outlaw" guns, they forget to factor in that criminals DONT FOLLOW LAWS. So, all you're doing is taking legal weapons away from potential victims. The criminals sure won't give them up.
This COULD have been prevented. I'm sure this will provoke some "wild west" mantra, or even the old "but what about stray bullets and innocent children" argument, but I don't think these (now) 31 dead students would've minded if one of their own was able to fire back and stop this horrible crime.
- 14 votes
I don't necessarily disagree, but I think it would be really cool if we could avoid politicizing this, at least 'till tomorrow.
- 15 votes
Depending on where you look the count now is 31 but my physician just told me 32 but I'm not sure where he is looking. I just checked CNN and it said 31. This is messed up. I can't fathom why someone would do this on a college campus.
#9 - Mon Apr 16, 2007 3:07 PM EDTWhy the hell can any run-of-the-mill citizen get ahold of some random handgun that can shoot off 16 bullets without having to reload? Why is something like that legal?
- 2 votes
#10 - Mon Apr 16, 2007 3:10 PM EDTYou apparently don't understand firearms very well, and certainly not the 2nd amendment.
I'm not condoning this by ANY measure, this was a horrific crime. But don't start blaming or criminalizing law abiding gun owners.
- 7 votes
He likely had more than one gun, and some reports have also said that he had multiple clips in his jacket, making for a quick reload.
- 1 vote
The second amendment states, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Private, non-militia, use of fire arms is not guaranteed under the second amendment, you can see that it was more so intended to protect state rights to form and maintain a militia. I understand the second amendment from my point of view, thank you. I'm not trying to start a fight but my point is that the second amendment is to vague to use for either one of our arguments. Respect. Speaking about respect don't forget that about that good-ole newsvine code of honor…
I guess you guys have also missed the fact that centuries of debate on this subject remain unresolved.
Nobody's persecuting you Belligerently. The CoH is preserved here, as far as I can see. (P.S., my previous comment was not out of disrespect to you--I was trying to bring some perspective to a crusty and frustrated argument. As far as the Second Amendment goes, I share your interpretation.)
- 1 vote
Private, non-militia, use of fire arms is not guaranteed under the second amendment, you can see that it was more so intended to protect state rights to form and maintain a militia.
Who do you think the "militia" is? CITIZENS.
mi·li·tia [mi-lish-uh] –noun
1.a body of citizens enrolled for military service, and called out periodically for drill but serving full time only in emergencies.
2.a body of citizen soldiers as distinguished from professional soldiers.
3.all able-bodied males considered by law eligible for military service.
4.a body of citizens organized in a paramilitary group and typically regarding themselves as defenders of individual rights against the presumed interference of the federal government.
Also: "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
How hard is that to understand? Its not even open to interpretation, its plain english. Just ask the DC Court of Appeals...
- 2 votes
I think the keyword here is "organized." I know the U.S. loves to tout all this "army of one" crap, but I don't think it qualifies.
- 2 votes
Wow, my hometown is only 45 minutes away from Virginia Tech and many of my friends from highschool go there. I really hope they're all safe.
#11 - Mon Apr 16, 2007 3:11 PM EDTHB 1572 was defeated in January 2006. Had it passed, VT students and teachers with concealed carry permits would've been able to fight back and stop the gunman in his tracks. Instead, they were in a "gun-free" zone and, thus, sitting ducks.
i hope that you are kidding
on a side note, the most depressing part of all of this is that scores more iraqi citizens die every few days yet somehow this is far more horrifying and terrible
- 2 votes
#12 - Mon Apr 16, 2007 3:17 PM EDT"The president believes that there is a right for people to bear arms, but that all laws must be followed," spokeswoman Dana Perino said
I sure hope there was a point to making that comment. (A question that led to it, for example.)
Otherwise, it seems wholly inappropriate.
- 12 votes
#16 - Mon Apr 16, 2007 3:55 PM EDTThere was apparently a news report out of New Jersey stating the gunman was an escaped prisoner who killed a guard at the prison then fled to the university nearest by. Can anyone shed any light on this?
#18 - Mon Apr 16, 2007 4:17 PM EDTAre you sure you're not confusing that story with this?
Last August, the opening day of classes was canceled and the campus closed when an escaped jail inmate allegedly killed a hospital guard off campus and fled to the Tech area. A sheriff's deputy involved in the manhunt was killed on a trail just off campus. The accused gunman, William Morva, faces capital murder charges.
My vote
"i sure wish we had stricter gun control laws"
- 2 votes
#21 - Mon Apr 16, 2007 5:10 PM EDTStricter in what way?
Not to be condescending by anymeans, but are you aware of the current gun control laws?
I'm by no means against gun control, there definitely needs to be some means of it, but the people that say "No more guns" or "We need stricter laws" when they aren't even aware of the current ones are annoying.
It's like saying the new flavor of Pepsi is disgusting and either needs to be improved or removed without ever tasting it.
- 2 votes
Frank: That is the most sensible thing you have ever said on Newsvine.
- 1 vote
I agree with the previous comment on not politicizing this today. In the coming days this will be analyzed in and out. We can all pick sides and arguments tomorrow, and I'm sure we can all agree somethings in this country need to change. But for right now we need to grieve and pray for the families of the victims, and as a country send out our condolence's.
- 4 votes
#22 - Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:47 PM EDTThe president believes that there is a right for people to bear arms, but that all laws must be followed
Shameless NRA plug. WTF? That's like saying yeah, this psycho just killed 32 people with his firearm but don't forget, guns don't kill people, people kill people.
I'd been interested to know how and where he got the gun.
#23 - Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:54 PM EDTAgreed, the last thing that needs to be discussed at a time like this is how more people should be able to obtain guns.
- 1 vote
I wish there were easy answer it tragic situations but every time we point the finger at those individuals who are responsible for the safety of the campus we'd miss the point of a free open and democratic society. There is a Constitution of rights and privileges that keeps this country open and free no matter what the circumstances and gives us all the responsibility to respond with compassion to the families and the friends of victims in a senseless act of Evil. Do any of us know how far the warning should have gone out? The campus, the city, the county or the entire state. It was as it is being put back together a very complex situation to access. To those who serve us and administer for our Universities the same rights as we give those accused of a crime seems only fair "Innocent until proven guilty" All of us can be second guessed but let's weigh all the evidence before we rush to judgement on who is to blame. Certainly we can start with the shooter and wait for the situation to be unveiled before we point those fingers. I give those who serve in positions of responsibility a voice of encouragement in this time of questioning. The prayers and thoughts of all of us should be on the grieving and healing of the lives forever changed by this evil deed.
- 1 vote
#24 - Tue Apr 17, 2007 12:35 PM EDTYou're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead. |
