Glenn Reynolds over on instapundit commented on this article which says pretty much what I’ve been saying although with quotes from someone more credible than I.
If – as I fear – this is the test run of one of perhaps many attacks of disruption, how do we fight back?
I would posit we will fail utterly if we proceed with the current crime investigation tactics. They are fine for tracking down one serial killer, but are next to useless for dealing with dispersed enemy squadrons.
I suggest anyone living in a “hidden carry” state should buy a handgun with good stopping power; take training in how to use it properly and most importantly in how to make judgements about a situation; and then get your hidden carry approval.
This might not save the targeted victim, but it could make the life expectancy of the sniper after his shot considerably lower. And yes… if we have five or ten million nervous people carrying personal artillery at all times, there will be mistakes and accidents. There always are in warzones in wartime. America has not had to face this on its’ own soil since the 1860’s.
They have only opened the Maryland front so far. We can pray I am entirely wrong… but I very much fear the war will be coming soon to a community near you.
Just wrote something along the same lines, then discovered yours. Scared to say it, but if this thing starts to turn like the more paranoid of us think it could, it certainly seems like a war is coming home.
I sent this to Glenn earlier today, but I’ll post it here also:
Glenn, if what is happening in the D.C. area is indeed “market research” for terrorism, it will become imperative for many, many, more citizens to arm themselves, and invest the time to learn to use their arms with proficiency. The state cannot be everywhere, if we are to remain a free society, so for self-government to prevail over tyranny, either externally or internally threatened, the people must confront the agents of tyranny themselves. This view will be alarming to many who fundamentally distrust the notion of self-government, despite all their nattering about democracy and love of the common man. The time may be approaching when it will become clear as to who really has faith in the people. -Will Allen
Brendan: in case you come back this way… I hope you’ve read the other 3 or so articles I’ve put up in the last couple days on this subject, as well as Rand Simberg’s discussion of calibre’s and weapon types over on Transterrestrial.
And btw, the law that limits the military taking part is the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, I come up with Title 18, Part I, Chapter 67, Sec 1385 of the USC on a google search.
Some pertinent linkage:
The Next International Right
And of course take a look at the Front Sight website on the list of sites given on this blog. They carry out precisely the kind of training which Dale talks about. First class. I get the feeling their services are going to be in hot demand.
Dale,
Thanks. I eventually found that law, too, through the article about the ACLU fighting the military deployment.
A great description so far about weapons and the sniper’s capability is Stephen Hunter’s article at no less than the Washington Post.
If anyone wants to take Tom’s advice to visit the U.S. and train at Front Sight Firearms Training Institute, I will be happy to assist, gratis, with advice and local (U.S.) application procedures.
I’m a life member myself, so you’re likely to see me there training.
Dittoes. The sniper must know that Maryland has incrimentally accumulated the most restrictive of gun control laws( see Cold Fury’s blog entry ) with a porportional RISE in crime to match. CF has th stats, but I think that it is something like 2-3 times higher than other states where there are fewer if any gun-laws.