Threats and protection for Elected officials

[GeoFisher]

OK.....

First, I'm placing blame SQUARELY on the crazy freakshow that did the shooting in Arizona...........but I've got to ask the following questions....

* Is there ANY assigned protection for elected officials. If not, why not. With all the **** money they are spending on silly stuff, you'd think they would spend a few million to PROTECT those in the spotlight.

Note: It would cost about 100 million to provide 3 professionals (75k each) to EACH federal senator or congressman. Not saying that is a GOOD idea. I'm just putting out a number to discuss.

* This is extremely hypothetical.........but would this have happened at a pub event, especially a pub event in Arizona where 1 in 40 have a concealed carry permit.

I'm just wondering.........

Later,

Geo

[GeoFisher]

Here is an interesting story from MSNBC about an armed bystander, and what nearly happened:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41018893/ns/slatecom/

I don't have all the details, but this is kind of scary too......

Later,

Geo

[DJD]

I don't think we need any special protection for the elected unless a threat has been made. They already feel and act above the law. Aweful things happen to people and trying to shield others other than the POTUS is wrong IMO.

As far as CCDW permits go....when I took my clases I saw folks taking it who worry me. They had no business owning a handgun and the thought of them making a decision on where and when to use it made me shake my head. A misconception is that the permitting process puts alot of ability and know how into your hands on deadly weapons when in fact it puts a ton of responsibility on you and few are equipped to handle it.

I'm very concerned when I think of if and when I would have to use any weapon for protection and I think that's how it should be. The article about how the citizen came out ready to help shows the potential problems associated with owning a handgun and trying to use it in certain situations. He made some great judgement calls...others would not.

It's a double edged sword having a CCDW and I still would rather have the right to choose but I wish they had a qualification course that actually tested skills during testing and not some cupcake class like it is now. Also would like to see a skill assessment every few years to determine if you should be allowed to continue to have one or not.

[walkeraviator]

In my opinion, the elected officials make enough money to hire contract security details just for use at public assemblies like this one. My tax money shouldnt be going towards it at all.

And if we are going to talk about more or less guns, it needs to be a whole seperate thread... cuz that argument alone can take pages..

[GeoFisher]

In my opinion, the elected officials make enough money to hire contract security details just for use at public assemblies like this one. My tax money shouldnt be going towards it at all.

And if we are going to talk about more or less guns, it needs to be a whole seperate thread... cuz that argument alone can take pages..

They really don't make that much money, once you consider the travel, offices, etc, etc. I'm just saying that protection details or a pool of available protection would go a LONG WAY to eliminating potential threats.

I wonder if a cop had been at this rally if the shooter would have pulled the trigger. We may NEVER know.

Later,

Geo

[walkeraviator]

That brings up a good point though Geo. Where was the local law enforcement anyway? Surely they knew beforehand about this gathering. They couldnt spare one deputy from a speed trap to act as security?

[GeoFisher]

That brings up a good point though Geo. Where was the local law enforcement anyway? Surely they knew beforehand about this gathering. They couldnt spare one deputy from a speed trap to act as security?

I think it is available, if requested...........

Makes you wonder though.........and it is REALLY scary if you think about it. There are a lot of powerful folks in congress, and it seems like it is way too easy to get close.

While I WANT them to be approachable, I don't want them in danger. I guess there is a fine line there.........I bet security gets ramped up though.

On another note, I wonder how/what type of security details are guarding folks like Beck, and Palin........SCARY to think whackos can get that close.

Later,

Geo

[walkeraviator]

With the hate mail they get, i guarantee their life inurance providers require private security.

[MrSplitshot]

Here is an interesting story from MSNBC about an armed bystander, and what nearly happened:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41018893/ns/slatecom/

I don't have all the details, but this is kind of scary too......

Later,

Geo

Nice find, Geo.

EXACTLY, EXACTLY, EXACTLY why you don't try to be a hero and run to the scene to find trouble. If you are on the scene, if you are being attacked, you react and defend yourself. If you are off the scene, stay off the scene, even though instinct may be "I have a gun, I can help!" (I'd probably, as a matter of personal choice, make an exception there if I knew my family member was on the scene under attack...even against my better judgment...probably couldn't help myself.)

If he had drawn, an innocent victim would have been killed for no reason - Either this guy, or the guy holding the gun that he thought was the shooter.

The common citizen is not trained to handle a situation like this. If you act like you see in the movies, you'll probably die, or kill someone that shouldn't die.

(1) I don't think you should be able to carry concealed without a permit.
(2) I think required training classes should be more in-depth, and coach more on these types of "react and make choices" situations...and I think they should be "continuous learning" types of deals, where you get refreshers every year or so.
(3) I think the courses should be put on by LEO's...not private citizens...even though I thought my CCDW trainer was great.

[parker]

I thought you ole boys would die for the 2ND Amendment? Absouletely amazing how you want everyone to be certified to own a gun now. If the NRA knew what you were saying they would demote most of you to suscriber want to be.

[GeoFisher]

I thought you ole boys would die for the 2ND Amendment? Absouletely amazing how you want everyone to be certified to own a gun now. If the NRA knew what you were saying they would demote most of you to suscriber want to be.

Never SAID that.........and also didn't say the guy was WRONG........

This will always be a hard issue, but the bottom line is the 2nd amendment is PART of the constitution. If you want to control guns STOP screwing around and go after the second amendment.......REPEAL IT. If the folks want it LET THEM VOTE........when a repeal fails, and it will, DROP the **** issue.........SIMPLE.

With regards to certification, etc, etc. I think if you're going to carry a concealed weapon, you'd BETTER know how to use it. I've been around guns, and have shot quite a few, but don't own a handgun, and if I ever were to get a conceal carry, I'd certainly get a LOT of education. This is probably the single reason why I still don't have something that I carry on the water.........I'm not comfortable enough to carry......

Later,

Geo

[DJD]

FYI.... Had a call from a hospital we do work for asking for us to complete an access control project before a state Senator shows up for a visit later in the month. There will be a security team (secret service?) that shows up prior to the senator to review the location. I don't know how much they look at or will require but I know they want to look the place over.
I'll know more after it's over.