jump_in_the_pit - 07 September 2012 10:23 AM

2 dead, 9 wounded in Empire State Building shootings, police say

Well, the more crowded a situation, then the more dangerous firing a gun becomes, making it more certain that one will hit someone innocent, which is good reason to restrict guns from the popular areas.  In a populated area if you aim a gun horizontally, then there are people walking the street, driving in cars, sitting on the first floor behind windows.  If you aim for the second floor, then there are people sitting there too, and on the third, and fourth, and so on.  So try to aim down, no, there are people in basements, in NYC and other cities there are underground trains, and utilities underground, so don’t aim down either.  If you can’t aim up, horizontally, nor down, then where can you aim safely?

The police are supposed to be practiced professionals, the police near the Empire State Building were patrolling that area regularly, the area was familiar to them.  That spot is one of the busiest spots in NYC, and so very crowded with people and cars, a spot so busy that having guns there at all is a bad idea.  In that situation, the police’ bullets ricocheted off of some heavy planters, planters so heavy because they were meant to keep Al Quieda away from the Empire State Building, the news is hinting that nine of the eleven people were shot by police bullets.  The police fired sixteen rounds, in order to stop one armed person.

Was it all worth it, or not?

It wasn’t worth it.

NYPD responded very badly to the incident; but no amount of better training would really help, because as you pointed out it’s a crowded area with no clearing.

NYPD responded very badly to the incident; but no amount of better training would really help, because as you pointed out it’s a crowded area with no clearing.

I know that this may sound ludicrous but there are beanbag weapons that will take down a human without doing any major harm. You’ll have one heck of a bruise and maybe a broken rib but if used properly would have easily knocked this clown on his ass and the collateral damage would have been minimal instead if fatal. The old cliche is that bullets don’t have brains. They’ll hit what they’re fired at and in an excited state any one may miss, including cops who are better trained at shooting as you mentioned Mike. It would be an ideal weapon in a crowed situation.

Cap’t Jack

Thevillageatheist - 08 September 2012 06:12 AM

NYPD responded very badly to the incident; but no amount of better training would really help, because as you pointed out it’s a crowded area with no clearing.

I know that this may sound ludicrous but there are beanbag weapons that will take down a human without doing any major harm. You’ll have one heck of a bruise and maybe a broken rib but if used properly would have easily knocked this clown on his ass and the collateral damage would have been minimal instead if fatal. The old cliche is that bullets don’t have brains. They’ll hit what they’re fired at and in an excited state any one may miss, including cops who are better trained at shooting as you mentioned Mike. It would be an ideal weapon in a crowed situation.

Cap’t Jack

It’s what they use for riots, they need to broaden the scope of use.

Thevillageatheist - 08 September 2012 06:12 AM

NYPD responded very badly to the incident; but no amount of better training would really help, because as you pointed out it’s a crowded area with no clearing.

I know that this may sound ludicrous but there are beanbag weapons that will take down a human without doing any major harm. You’ll have one heck of a bruise and maybe a broken rib but if used properly would have easily knocked this clown on his ass and the collateral damage would have been minimal instead if fatal. The old cliche is that bullets don’t have brains. They’ll hit what they’re fired at and in an excited state any one may miss, including cops who are better trained at shooting as you mentioned Mike. It would be an ideal weapon in a crowed situation.

Cap’t Jack

Oh dammit!

I did not even think about the bean bag guns Jack, glad you mentioned it. Yeah, that would have been a much better choice.

TimB - 06 September 2012 12:12 PM

Can we have your meh when we pry it from your cold dead brain?

Just wait a few minutes.  It’ll probably fall out first.

Here’s how we handle assassinations in Canada: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afp9H1tLmro. See, no guns needed!

Scott Mayers - 11 September 2012 09:52 AM

Here’s how we handle assassinations in Canada: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afp9H1tLmro. See, no guns needed!

Sweet!

If an ordinary citizen was the victim of a pie attack, would the perpetrator be charged with assault? (Actually they probably wouldn’t be caught.)

Take care,

Derek

Scott Mayers - 11 September 2012 09:52 AM

Here’s how we handle assassinations in Canada: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afp9H1tLmro. See, no guns needed!

In Texas, our Texas Rangers baseball players who happen to be the hero of any given game, are rather routinely given a shaving cream pie in the face while being interviewed after the game. 

I think it is considered a badge of honor rather than an assault, and it is probably taken as a good-natured reminder that they are just part of the team.
Political leaders in Canada might do well to lighten up.

TimB - 11 September 2012 09:07 PM

Scott Mayers - 11 September 2012 09:52 AM

Here’s how we handle assassinations in Canada: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afp9H1tLmro. See, no guns needed!

In Texas, our Texas Rangers baseball players who happen to be the hero of any given game, are rather routinely given a shaving cream pie in the face while being interviewed after the game. 

I think it is considered a badge of honor rather than an assault, and it is probably taken as a good-natured reminder that they are just part of the team.
Political leaders in Canada might do well to lighten up.

At least they could use whip cream! 

Take care,

Derek

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