Another Gun-Free Zone Killing
Once more demonstrating that gun free zones aren’t we have a fatal shooting in a mall in Tukwila, WA. The Southcenter mall is owned by the Westfield Group, an international real estate giant whose shopping centers all have an official “no guns” policy. That worked really well today, now, didn’t it?
“Clearly, such a senseless act in our community heightens everyone’s state of awareness and concern. Our security precautions reflect that heightened state,” mall management said in an unsigned statement Sunday.
And those “security precautions” won’t do a single thing to make the mall safer. Thugs who have ignored the posted signs and mall cops to this point aren’t going to be swayed by more rules, more signs, or more flashlight-toting insecurity officers.
For those who think the police are the answer:
SWAT teams from all over Puget Sound converged on the mall, which was locked down for six hours. Store employees and customers were allowed to exit in groups and Murphy said the shooter “must have got out with the crowd.”
Yep. Loads of officers showed up but the perp got away. The police can’t be everywhere, folks, and by the time they do arrive, the damage has already been done. When the shooting starts, if you’re relying on the police for protection you’re already a victim. Safety, both public and private, begins with personal responsibility.