The Virginia Tech Massacre, The 2nd Amendment and the Coming Debate

As of my writing, there are 32 confirmed dead at Virginia Tech in what is the worst act of school violence in American History.

First, let me express my sympathy for all those involved. My thoughts go out to the students at Virginia Tech, both directly involved and those trapped in fear in their dorms - still not knowing if friends are among the dead. I cannot even begin to comprehend the anguish that parents and loved ones of those students at Virginia Tech stuck waiting to hear that their son, daughter, brother, sister, friend, is not among the dead or the wounded.

Second, let me apologize both for myself and on behalf of all of those that will in the coming days and weeks use this bloody backdrop to debate the state of gun laws in our country.

My impetuous for this diary is this statement from the White House:

A White House spokesman said President Bush was horrified by the rampage and offered his prayers to the victims and the people of Virginia.

"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 was amazed that even in the wake of this terrible tragedy, the politics of 'stoking the base' trumped humancompassion. Just hours after the shooting stopped, the White House felt compelled to remind 'the base' that the Republican Party supports everything that
the NRA tells them. Could this bit of political posturing not have waited until tomorrow? Could it not wait until parents had been notified?

I guess not. As per Redstate, it seems that Gun Control politics is the main story line of this tragedy.

From Redstate Poster CuttingCougar:

Obviously,
most of the facts are not yet known. Thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families.

But get ready for the nanny-staters and the next round of hand wringing over the second amendment. And get ready for willful ignoring of the fact that these are the same methods theIslamofascists use, and yet the far left wants us to sit out that fight.

Whatever happens, I'm sure it's Bush's fault.

That's right. Thoughts and prayers and all that, but the story her is thatthis'll lead to another effort to take our guns!

Another Redstate poster, David Kirby, had this to say:

Undoubtedly, the left will use this as ammunition for gun control. But I think it's the exact opposite. Put yourself in the situation of the victim in the residence hall. You're sitting in your room, probably just waking up. Someone walks in with a gun. Because of the law banning gun possession on campus, you only have one option: get shot.

Even if the victim had a gun, it's impossible for us to say that he could have reached it on time. But at least he'd have an option.

I don't know about the rest of those on the progressive side of theblogosphere, but my first thoughts (and only thoughts until I read Dana Perino's statement) were for the victims, their families and the students at Virginia Tech.

It seems that the other side of the blogosphere had a slightly different reaction.

I would imagine that this is because they know that every time a tragedy like this happens, it illustrates the complete failure of their position on gun control - yet rather than change their position they reduce human tragedy political problem. Their first reaction isn't sorrow or sadness or outrage or sympathy - it's to man thebarricades to defend their failed policy position.

I'll end with this:

For all those on the right wailing about how the left is subverting the 2nd Amendment, I will immediately drop any attempt to advocate for some sort of sanity in American gun laws - out of respect for the 2nd Amendment - if you immediately drop any attempt to co mingle religion and government, advocate for illegal wire tapping, allow for the unregulated use of 'Letters of National Security', deprive prisoners of the right to counsel or the ability to know the crime for which they are being imprisoned, the right to a jury trial, or the right to a detainment free of torture.

Virginia Tech School Shooting Second Amendment Gun Control