Comments on: What did five fingers say to the face?

By: SCATTERSHOT

SCATTERSHOT — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:08:14 +0000

“Several of the family members, …have contacted our office with their concerns.” This is awfully vague. Why not cite the numbers ? Could it be because there is no basis in fact for this claim ? Mr. Shepard uses it to justify his letter to Mr. Van Cleave. Mr. Van Cleave’s reply is excellent.

By: Sebastian-PGP

Sebastian-PGP — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 22:09:21 +0000

ETA: Stormy, you don’t really think the victims’ families are upset when they see cops and armored car drivers packing, do you?

Of course not–the problem is that Shepard is singling out CCW holders as “problem gun owners”.

The math on what he’s saying isn’t hard:

People like Cho with guns: BAD.
People with CCW Permits: BAD.

He doesn’t have to come out and say “you’re just like Cho” to be insulting. He’s explicitly suggesting that law abiding people carrying guns within sight of the families is offensive and a bad thing. That’s bad enough.

By: Sebastian-PGP

Sebastian-PGP — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 22:04:51 +0000

Exactly, and Shepards tone makes it EXPLICITLY clear he’s saying the site of private citizens carrying guns will offend and hurt the victims’ families.

Why else could that be but because he’s saying that they’ll remind people of Cho?

As I mentioned in my post, he’s not suggesting that the police, security guards, FBI, etc disarm. The fact that he’s saying the rest of us private citizens should makes it pretty clear he sees something emotionally or psychologically threatening in our carrying at the panel.

By: SayUncle

SayUncle — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:18:24 +0000

Depends on the tone of your request.

By: Stormy Dragon

Stormy Dragon — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:06:06 +0000

If I was holding a meeting of the people who’s family members died in that spinach e. coli outbreak last year and I suggest that perhaps serving a spinach salad might upset them, is that implying something bad about the chef?

By: SayUncle

SayUncle — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 15:41:30 +0000

I can buy that was not the intent but this quote:

I would ask, though, that you consider the families of victims of a crime involving guns�a very recent crime�who will be present, and what effect your weapons might have on their still-ongoing recovery.

seems to imply so to me.

By: Stormy Dragon

Stormy Dragon — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 15:34:17 +0000

While not agreeing with Brian Shepard’s request, saying that he likened gun owners to criminals is a gross mischaracterization of the letter.