A truly great man.

[zarby]

I am typically not this way, but I truly got choked up about the 76 year old professor blocking the door while his students jumped out the windows. This was a truly great man. I would like to think I would do the same although I know I might not. I might be heading towards the windows or hiding under my desk.

I think it is a crime to prevent a man from defending himself (and others). This professor should have had the right to be armed. I am not sure whether he confronted this gunman near the beginning or end of the rampage but this man certainly would have had the courage to put a gun to good use and save a lot of lives (including his own). Why must we take away the right of men like these to defend themselves?

Citizens are generally good. Our safety is with men like these (and ourselves) not with police who will arrive after it is too late.

I believe the same thing about airplanes, airports, churches, schools, etc.  A rational gunman will think twice about shooting people if he knows some of them are armed. An irrational gunman will be shot sooner if the public is armed.

I am sorry about my language, but as far as I am concerned the gun control crowd is at a minimum misguided and possibly even malicious. I think about what happened in Australia (I have heard) after guns were banned (families in remote places were killed in large numbers -- the police were nowhere near to defend these families when killers robbed them knowing they were defenseless).

A friend just the other day told me his elderly parents who were being institutionalized due to their infirmities had guns in their house including some characterized as "assault weapons." He asked if I wanted one. I said hell no. I know of many who have been harassed by police including arrested for the mere act of possessing a gun. I don't want trouble. After hearing this story, I think it is almost the duty of a law abiding citizen to have a gun. This is what they believe in Switzerland, and the last I heard Switzerland is a pretty darn safe place. Even Hitler didn't cause trouble with them.

[zarby]

I was at the police station just yesterday. I had raised all kinds of hell because the police wouldn't return the gun they had took from a woman during an arrest despite two court orders. I ultimately yesterday after raising all kinds of hell got the gun back for her.

I couldn't help but notice that every one of the police officers in the building were wearing guns even though most of them were basically just office workers. What kind of risk are they truly in working in the police station? Virtually none. They were behind security.

What fucking hypocrits. They are all armed. They are subjected to no significant risk -- less risk than most average citizens. Yet, they are armed to teeth and they harass law abiding citizens for possessing what they all have. I am actually kind of angry. The laws and the system are very much screwed up.

[zarby]

There was an incident in Texas years ago. It was I think in Killeen at a Luby's Restaurant.

A number of people were shot and killed. I think on the order of possibly 12 to 15.

I remember the story of one woman. Both of her parents were killed. She had a gun
and stated that she had left it in her car. She stated that possibly if she had
taken her gun into the restaurant possibly her parents would have survived.
Again, a real tear jerker story. I am not sure whether her gun was legal or not.

I think this story was a major motivation for the Texas concealed hand carry law
which passed I think not that long after this incident.

At least, in Texas there has been some learning that has occurred. In other places,
there has been virtually none. Let's see like Washington, D.C. -- a place with an
extremely high murder rate and very stringent gun control laws.

It is the responsibility of a man (and I am using this term to include women) to
defend himself. It is his right also. This is as fundamental as any right.

I just saw that this rampage went on for 3 hours. Goodness. If this doesn't show
people that the police will not protect you, I don't know what would. The police
had three hours within which to act. I suppose they couldn't find him? I am not
really criticizing the police. I can see that it might be hard to find the guy, but I am
using this to illustrate the fact that we cannot rely on the police to protect us.
We must protect ourselves and we must have the right to do this.

[BRIAN]

Zarby,

You are correct about that man being a hero. He was balsy enough to risk it all for his charges.

The incident in Texas was in Killeen at a Lubys Cafateria. The Lady you are referring to is Susanna Gracia Hupp. She ran for and was elected to the Texas HOR and was instrumental in getting the concealed carry law passed.

[The Gonzman]

Guy was a Holocaust survivor.  He had to be tough.

God grant us more such men, and grant him eternal rest.

[outdoors]

another fine example of a man stepping up to the plate! I agree truly a great man!

[stands2p]

A decent person who thinks of other first as this gentleman did SHOULD be armed at all times.

Robert Heinlen is credited with saying "An armed society is a polite society."  This sounds ominous or flippant to some people but not to anyone who ever backed down from a fight out of concern for the other person's well-being.

If more people started carrying guns, society would have to find a new equilibrium; there might be a temporary rise in shootings and accidents.  But the responsibility that goes along with being armed spreads to other areas of life also; it might go out of fashion for adults to act like children. 

The limitations of what a weapon can do force a person to think carefully about their actions.  For example, using a gun to intimidate someone is a central fantasy in movies and TV.  In reality, humiliating someone at gunpoint only guarantees that the next time you see this person they will be armed and possibly desperate to get their dignity back. 

Giving even a moment's thought to treating other people with some minimal level of respect and consideration is a skill that falls into disuse in our current nanny state; "we are all just wards of the big, fat government so piss on you, pal."  The government will never be able to truly protect our individual rights.  This is why we have an inalienable right to protect ourselves and the right to use the fruits of technology to do so (guns.)

The erratic behavior of the student would never have been ignored and mishandled as it was in the context of an armed campus.  The notion of an armed person acting as he did would have brought instant attention.

[The Gonzman]

A decent person who thinks of other first as this gentleman did SHOULD be armed at all times.

Robert Heinlen is credited with saying "An armed society is a polite society."  This sounds ominous or flippant to some people but not to anyone who ever backed down from a fight out of concern for the other person's well-being.

It's not flippant at all - it's the dead-on truth.

[LSBeene]

Truly this man had the heart of a lion.  Even the military blogs are heaping praise on him.

Here is what seasoned warfighters are saying about this 76 year old survivor of Hitler's horrors:

Professor Librescu's entry into Heaven will be delayed a bit. His actions are an exemplar of the true meaning of Gandhi's non-violent resistance -- throwing himself onto the oncoming guns. The Marines at the gate want him to be a guest at their welcoming party for heros.

Shalom, Liviu, Shalom ben Avraham! Shalom eretz Yisrael! Baruch, Baruch HaShem Adonai!

Thank You for such a son as Liviu! Amen.

The right honorable Professor gave his best lecture in his last act of courage. A man of stainless character and undaunted courage. Shalom dear Sir. We are better people for your example.

But that we were more heartily teaching such virtue to our college students.

In conclusion, as regards fighting back, let me say two words:

LETS ROLL!

High praise from people living in a war zone (or who just got back).

Steven

[CaptDMO]

I am sorry about my language, but as far as I am concerned the gun control crowd is at a minimum misguided and possibly even malicious.

Dr. Helen had a few choice words to say about this (9:33 AM).

[LSBeene]

I am sorry about my language, but as far as I am concerned the gun control crowd is at a minimum misguided and possibly even malicious.

Dr. Helen had a few choice words to say about this (9:33 AM).

Got a link?

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this or if you guys (and gals) know this but the Virginia legislature had a bill brought up allowing students to carry guns on campuses - it died in committee and the school paper had some liberal looking down his nose at the idea that guns would ever be needed and that it created a culture of fear.

Guess when you disarm the populace it's easy pickin's for some psycho.

By the way, I just made my first civilian firewarms purchaes:
.45 handgun
.22 "plinking" rifle
and an AR-15

I'll be taking a CCW class at the next opportunity.

Steven

[CaptDMO]

I was at the police station just yesterday. I had raised all kinds of hell because the police wouldn't return the gun they had took from a woman during an arrest despite two court orders. I ultimately yesterday after raising all kinds of hell got the gun back for her.

Mandamus!

[CaptDMO]

Got a link?
Steven

Click on "Dr. Helen".
I know, blue hyperlinks don't show up so well ,
especially to (ahem) vintage eyes like mine.

[CaptDMO]

I am typically not this way, but I truly got choked up about the 76 year old professor blocking the door while his students jumped out the windows. This was a truly great man. 

So,
What kind of prof. was he?
Humanities? Womans studies? Sociology? Political Science? English poetry?
Greek Architecture? Italian Antiquities? French Political Icons? Indian Cinima?
International Catastrophy Management? Contemorary Hollywood Mocumenterys?
Wellness? 

Where did he gain his credentials? Rutgers? Brandise? Julliard? Sarah Lawrence?
UNH? UCLA?
I Guess NOT!(link)
Just sayin.....

Shalom Liviu.

I would like to think I would do the same although I know I might not. I might be heading towards the windows or hiding under my desk.

Same boat.
I like to think, if the immediate future looked fairly freakin' bleak if I froze and did nothing, the words LET'S ROLL would just scroll across my field of vision.
I mean, what the hell?.. AMF right?

Did I mention I'm single with no children?
Makes that kind of guess work a bit easier I suppose.   

[CaptDMO]

Follow up, via. Glenn at Instapundit
A report from Liviu Librescu's funeral.
A Hero Is Laid To Rest(pajamasmedia)