[flaminco]

"I think it's up to someone in charge to get the townspeople out of the immediate vicinity.
You can try to argue that this was handled just dandy. It wasn't."

You have proof townspeople shot anyone they shouldn't have, or is this just a feeling you have? The townspeople were trying to protect their own, they were not the enemy. That you would treat them as such says a lot about you.

It is really disgusting that you would blame them instead of the terrorists for the loss of life in Beslan.

[nuconvert]

Your thinking is warped.

The first thing law enforcement does in a similar situation is to secure the area. That means get the citizens off the street and far enough away that they won't be in danger or a danger to themselves or anyone else. DUH. No one did that in Beslan. Is that a mistake? I'd say so.
Now, am I blaming the inept law enforcement for the hostage situation? NO. But am I saying it wasn't handled properly? YES.
I've read the accounts from different papers from different countries. My only proof is the accounts in the papers. I wasn't there.
And if you'd like to know if I believe in the right of a citizen to bear arms...YES. But I don't think armed townspeople ought to be allowed to stand behind the soldiers or law enforcement officers during a stand-off.
You may disagree with that, but there's a reason that's normal practice and procedure for law enforcement.