Here we go again... (Texas church mass shooting)

[AJ Dual]

It has now come out that one of the victims was the shooter's grandmother-in-law. His mother-in-law didn't attend service on Sunday, but he had been sending her threatening text messages.

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2017/11/06/18-month-old-among-texas-church-shooting-victims/

I think we're closing in on a motive ... but if he was intent on getting back at his wife's family (and, perhaps, his wife), why try to murder an entire church congregation? Except, of course, that they were Christians, and he apparently had developed a hatred of Christianity. So maybe for him it was like one stop shopping. Take out the wife's family, and kill a bunch of Christians while he was at it.

There was a definite signal-to-noise problem yesterday, but among all the "He was ISIS! No! He was Antifa!" chatter that went in all directions there was a lot of people that the media found as his FB "friends" saying he'd go on anti-religion rants.

If there was any hard Leftist beliefs or affiliation that also motivated him (it would mesh well with the militant angry Atheist thing...) It's probably going into the memory-hole.

[Hawkmoon]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/texas-church-shooting-suspects-military-conviction-prevented-firearms/story?id=50969640

The Air Force has confirmed that his trial was a general court martial, and that his conviction should have made him a prohibited person. So ... we don't need any new laws, we need to make the laws we have work as intended.

[Hawkmoon]

There was a definite signal-to-noise problem yesterday, but among all the "He was ISIS! No! He was Antifa!" chatter that went in all directions there was a lot of people that the media found as his FB "friends" saying he'd go on anti-religion rants.

If there was any hard Leftist beliefs or affiliation that also motivated him (it would mesh well with the militant angry Atheist thing...) It's probably going into the memory-hole.

It wasn't a mass murder, it was just a domestic dispute. (Just like Fort Hood wasn't an Islamist terrorist attack, it was only "workplace violence.")

[T.O.M.]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/texas-church-shooting-suspects-military-conviction-prevented-firearms/story?id=50969640

The Air Force has confirmed that his trial was a general court martial, and that his conviction should have made him a prohibited person. So ... we don't need any new laws, we need to make the laws we have work as intended.

Just heard on CNN that the USAF has indicated it made a mistake and didn't report the conviction, so it wouldn't have appeared when he purchased the gun.  Oops.

[slingshot]

Just heard on CNN that the USAF has indicated it made a mistake and didn't report the conviction, so it wouldn't have appeared when he purchased the gun.  Oops.

And how many more have they not reported?

[Hawkmoon]

Just heard on CNN that the USAF has indicated it made a mistake and didn't report the conviction, so it wouldn't have appeared when he purchased the gun.  Oops.

In retrospect, a VERY big oops.

As I wrote -- the system didn't work. Before we start screeching about new laws, we need to get serious about enforcing the ones we already have.

[MechAg94]

As I wrote -- the system didn't work. Before we start screeching about new laws, we need to get serious about enforcing the ones we already have.

Yep, no point adding more hoops if the existing hoops aren't working. 

[Hawkmoon]

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/06/us/texas-shooting-church.html?action=click&contentCollection=U.S.&module=Trending&version=Full&region=Marginalia&pgtype=article

[RoadKingLarry]

Did the in-laws report the threats to local police?

[KD5NRH]

Did the in-laws report the threats to local police?

Nobody seems to be saying.  Not sure if that's protecting the family or LE.

[charby]

Just heard on CNN that the USAF has indicated it made a mistake and didn't report the conviction, so it wouldn't have appeared when he purchased the gun.  Oops.

https://nyti.ms/2hLMM9L

[Perd Hapley]

Willeford, a former NRA instructor, got his rifle out of his safe while his daughter looked outside again. She ran back in and told him she saw a man in black tactical gear shooting up the church.

http://www.4029tv.com/article/man-who-shot-texas-church-gunman-shares-his-story/13437943  (turn down your speakers before clicking)

Clearly, the problem is lax church attendance among NRA members.  


David Frum, however, has another solution. He wants a lifetime ban on gun ownership for those convicted of domestic violence.  

[freakazoid]

I'm liking the driver that helped pursue him.
I'd heard that the shooter had bought a few rifles over the years. I wonder if the others were bought before his discharge.

[White Horseradish]

I'm liking the driver that helped pursue him.
I'd heard that the shooter had bought a few rifles over the years. I wonder if the others were bought before his discharge.

Reports are that every gun he had he bought post-conviction.

[HeroHog]

http://tribunist.com/news/the-incredible-details-of-the-sniper-shot-taken-by-a-plumber-that-took-down-the-texas-gunman/?utm_source=CDH

[Angel Eyes]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9DLGTYd5wE


"The world does not owe us a life of perfect safety."

[Perd Hapley]

I haven't heard yet if it was a "gun-free zone," but aside from that; well-played.

[Ben]

http://tribunist.com/news/the-incredible-details-of-the-sniper-shot-taken-by-a-plumber-that-took-down-the-texas-gunman/?utm_source=CDH

I like that the guy was both an NRA member and a plumber. Both are prime examples of "deplorables" to progressives. Plus he gave a very humble interview.

Completely separating all this from the actual tragedy, the guy is pretty much the opposite of the beer swilling, brodozer driving, tshirt with the sleeves ripped off "redneck". Which is how the left would generally portray a "plumber NRA member" (especially one that lived in small town TX).

[Perd Hapley]

@DLoesch

NRA can confirm Stephen Willeford is a member & has been certified as a NRA firearms instructor. #SutherlandSprings

[Hawkmoon]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9DLGTYd5wE


"The world does not owe us a life of perfect safety."

It's important to note what he said at 3:35: "You see, he hadn't finished yet."

How does he know this? Because the shooter was after his mother-in-law, and she wasn't in church that day. So, if he had not been shot by the neighbor, more than likely the next stop would have been his mother-in-law's house.

[slingshot]

In retrospect, a VERY big oops.

As I wrote -- the system didn't work. Before we start screeching about new laws, we need to get serious about enforcing the ones we already have.

But on the other hand, how difficult would it be for Kelley to buy from an individual who doesn't even know him?  The guy would have gotten the guns regardless.  It just took less effort to buy at regular FFL dealers because he passed the NICS check. So we're back to universal background checks and if the legislators can come up with a mental health screen that is reasonable, they'll probably do it.

[Hawkmoon]

Universal background checks have the same problem as virtually everything else the anti-gun crew propose -- they burden honest, law-abiding people while not doing anything to stop the problem. Just like "No Guns Allowed" signs -- if there had been a 30.06 sign posted at the entrances to that church, does anyone think the shooter would have turned around and gone home?

Can't buy a gun because you can't pass a background check? No problem -- steal one. Or buy one from a guy who stole it and who doesn't bother to run background checks.


(30.06 sign: https://www.texas3006.com/signs.php )

[TommyGunn]

But on the other hand, how difficult would it be for Kelley to buy from an individual who doesn't even know him?  The guy would have gotten the guns regardless.  It just took less effort to buy at regular FFL dealers because he passed the NICS check. So we're back to universal background checks and if the legislators can come up with a mental health screen that is reasonable, they'll probably do it.

What makes you think they care about "reasonable? ? ? ?"  

[slingshot]

Universal background checks have the same problem as virtually everything else the anti-gun crew propose -- they burden honest, law-abiding people while not doing anything to stop the problem. Just like "No Guns Allowed" signs -- if there had been a 30.06 sign posted at the entrances to that church, does anyone think the shooter would have turned around and gone home?

Can't buy a gun because you can't pass a background check? No problem -- steal one. Or buy one from a guy who stole it and who doesn't bother to run background checks.

I agree with you but I was thinking in terms of a anti-gun legislator.  Any significant changes would still have to get through both houses of Congress and usually signed by the President.

Reasonable... yeah, all you have to do is look at California.

[230RN]

I agree with you but I was thinking in terms of a anti-gun legislator.  Any significant changes would still have to get through both houses of Congress and usually signed by the President.

Reasonable... yeah, all you have to do is look at California.

Don't forget that's why Bloomberg and other anti-gunners are targeting State legislators... you touch on that by mentioning California.