Gun Free Zones = Murder Bait

Curious, but hardly counter-intuitive:

The other statistic that emerged from a study of active killers is that they almost exclusively seek out "gun free" zones for their attacks.

In most states, concealed handguns are prohibited at schools and on college campuses even for those with permits.

Many malls and workplaces also place signs at their entrances prohibiting firearms on the premises.

Now tacticians believe the signs themselves may be an invitation to the active killers.

The psychological profile of a mass murderer indicates he is looking to inflict the most casualties as quickly as possible.

I guess that's why they are called mass murderers.

Also, the data show most active killers have no intention of surviving the event....As soon as they're confronted by any armed resistance, the shooters typically turn the gun on themselves.

So, armed victims could stop a mass murderer? Naw. Couldn't be. Only criminals know how to safely use a gun to kill people. If a victim tried that, she'd be sure to hurt someone.

They may select schools and shopping malls because of the large number of defenseless victims and the virtual guarantee no on the scene one is armed.

Hmmm...I guess I never heard of a mass murder at a shooting range.

After the Columbine High School massacre in 1999,...Commanders realized that it simply takes too long to assemble a tactical team in time to stop an active killer.

The new tactics developed in response to Columbine involved creating an ad-hoc tactical team using the first four or five patrol officers on the scene.

They would enter the shooting scene....This technique was employed by police departments around the country.

Then 32 people were killed by a lone gunman at Virginia Tech in April 2007....Once again, the gunman continued shooting until a four-officer team made entry and then he killed himself....Every minute the officer waits for back-up, another three or more people could die.

In other words, while it was once considered suicide for a lone officer to take on an active killer, it is now considered statistical homicide for him not to do so.

So, it seems that if you want to minimize the chances of being shot by a mass murderer, you should stay away from Gun Free Zones.

Brendan Keefe of WCPO.com has the story, along with video.