12 people are dead and 25 wounded after horrific shooting spree in West Cumbria. Cab driver suspect Derrick Bird committed suicide in woodland shortly afterwards
He was described by neighbours yesterday as a quiet man who kept himself to himself – until something pushed him over the edge. It is a familiar pattern in rampage killings. The perpetrators are often perceived to be very ordinary people, and to lead ordinary lives. They are very rarely seen as psychotic or cranky.
Many people have feelings of low self-esteem and may mistrust those around them or even suffer paranoia. But they don't go on a killing spree. What makes the few that do, flip? Access to firearms is one factor. Guns are, fortunately, not easy to get, but if people have lethal means of causing violence close at hand there will be more violence. How many people would be killed if every household had a gun? That, thank goodness, is not the case in this country.
Bird had two guns - believed to be a .22 rifle with telescopic sight and a shotgun – Who on Earth gave him his (double) license? Also, why was a gunman allowed to go on the rampage for 3 HOURS! Where were the police? Aren’t they meant the defend us, law-abiding citizens, from something like this? Maybe with their batons and handcuffs?
Something is seriously wrong here.
My deepest condolences go out to all the families who learned the horrible news today that their loved ones were mindlessly murdered. I will be remembering you in the days to come when it seems like no one any longer remembers.
He was described by neighbours yesterday as a quiet man who kept himself to himself – until something pushed him over the edge. It is a familiar pattern in rampage killings. The perpetrators are often perceived to be very ordinary people, and to lead ordinary lives. They are very rarely seen as psychotic or cranky.
Many people have feelings of low self-esteem and may mistrust those around them or even suffer paranoia. But they don't go on a killing spree. What makes the few that do, flip? Access to firearms is one factor. Guns are, fortunately, not easy to get, but if people have lethal means of causing violence close at hand there will be more violence. How many people would be killed if every household had a gun? That, thank goodness, is not the case in this country.
Bird had two guns - believed to be a .22 rifle with telescopic sight and a shotgun – Who on Earth gave him his (double) license? Also, why was a gunman allowed to go on the rampage for 3 HOURS! Where were the police? Aren’t they meant the defend us, law-abiding citizens, from something like this? Maybe with their batons and handcuffs?
Something is seriously wrong here.
My deepest condolences go out to all the families who learned the horrible news today that their loved ones were mindlessly murdered. I will be remembering you in the days to come when it seems like no one any longer remembers.
