[marktwain]

John Archibald sounds as though he might be open to facts and to reassesing his assumptions about reality.

[John O]

In Birmingham, 13-year-old Ja'Quares Walker wielded a gun in a botched robbery, and was shot dead because of it.

Seems to me that this is exactly what is supposed to happen.

The question I ask is who are the people firing into the air? Illegal mexicans perhaps? And who's firing into houses? Gangbangers perhaps? These actions don't seem like things a normal American would do.

Perhaps we need to crack down on illegals and others who are not assimilated into American culture.

[Hodar]

On Gravine Island, 17-year-old purported burglar Summer Moody was shot in the head by vigilantes who claimed it was meant as a warning shot. In Birmingham, 13-year-old Ja'Quares Walker wielded a gun in a botched robbery, and was shot dead because of it.

So, these "Vigilantes" are to be blamed for making an attempt to avoid letting the burlar continue about his business? An armed thug gets killed during a robbery attempt, and we are supposed to feel sorry for him?

If these degenerates opted to work for what they wanted, instead of stealing it from other people - then everyone would be alive, happy and prospering, wouldn't they?

[Paladin2]

Half of the population are not termed looters by accident.

[Sirius Lee]

As for thugs and idiots, I suggest we start openly talking about the Bible. It's a perfectly good instruction Book on how to behave towards others. On the subject of handling guns there's Eddie Eagle.

If liberals ever come to recognize this, then there is hope.

[kosciusko51]

Until he recognizes the right of people to defend themselves, instead of branding them vigilantes, and stops showing sympathy for those who would use guns to rob others, then I will believe that he is open to the facts. For now, I believe he want to dialog to change gun-owners’ opinions.

[ConservaTexan]

Because in real life, real tragedy comes when real people -- even those who act like idiots -- wind up on one side or the other of very real bullets.

Personally, I don't think the dead mentioned in this article were acting.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

We used to have laws forbidding gun ownership and/or possession by aliens and other groups- notorious for killing each other-but egalitarianism dictates that aliens and “others” can carry firearms. Thus, we have granted “equal rights” are are seeing what “equal rights” really means!

[certrtwngnut]

We need to talk about cars. The amount of deaths caused by cars is a tragedy.

[KC Burke]

A lot of these “rights” discussions are meant to apply rationalism to get the reader to trade the right of one individual for the rights of a number of individuals.

[Svartalfiar]

"I don't think they give a rip about gun safety," Jefferson County Chief Deputy Randy Christian said. "We would entertain the thought of even teaching them gun safety if they are brave enough to show up. Doubt we will get any takers."

Ok, made it mandatory, like PE or English or math. Starting in what, 5th? 3rd? grade, all students are required to take firearms safety/handling/marksmanship classes.

[William Tell]

From the article: "We need to talk safety, and consequences. "

What kind of a lunatic thinks that having 13-year-old armed robbers getting shot dead is a "safety" issue?

I'm encouraged by the desperate nature of the latest arguments from the anti-gunners. We are definitely winning this battle, though it still seems glacially slow here in the People's Republik of Kalifornia.

It's vital that we prevent Obama from appointing any more Supreme Court Justices. He's done enough damage already. Romney would accidently choose better nominees than Obama would choose intentionally.

[12Gauge687]

Firearms are responsible for fewer than 10% of violent crimes; let’s talk about the other weapons first.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

Typical elitist clap-trap.

You see, because you possess a gun you are obvioulsy as enlightened as Mr. Archibald. You need to take the time to sit down and discuss gun ownership with the emminently superior intellect that Mr. Archibald has and his obvious grasp of the “arms” debate. We are hoping that you will gain some progress in disposing of your Neanderthal ways of thinking.

No we don’t believe you will ever be as bright as Mr. Archibald. You can make progress though.

Here, take the red pill.

[Little Ray]

1. Dead violent criminals are, AT ANY AGE, the ideal outcome of self defense. They don’t have to be tried. They don’t take up prison beds. And they never, ever, commit another crime.

2. Idiots, fools, criminals, and Nigerian email scammers are not an excuse to suspend the First Amendment, so why are they excuse to suspend the Second?

[An American!]

"Bullets were fired into houses across Birmingham on Feb. 29 and March 20th, on March 26th, March 31st, April 8th and April 10th...."
Criminals did this. These things don't just happen...a criminal is defined as a person who commits an action or an instance of negligence that is deemed injurious to the public welfare or morals or to the interests of the state and that is legally prohibited.

"Idiots with access to guns kill people."
Not idiots...criminals!

"On Gravine Island, 17-year-old purported burglar Summer Moody was shot in the head by vigilantes who claimed it was meant as a warning shot. In Birmingham, 13-year-old Ja'Quares Walker wielded a gun in a botched robbery, and was shot dead because of it."
Amazing...the dead guys are criminals...NOT VICTIMS.

"The shootings were, the way the facts now appear, legally justifiable. "
Amazing how the author terms it above a 'botched robbery' and yet here claims 'the way the facts appear'. Facts are facts and appearances are appearances. Hey author, get a dictionary and learn what words mean. Appearances: outward impressions, indications, or circumstances. Facts: something known to exist or to have happened; reality; truth.

[Mack the knife]

John Archibald sounds as though he might be open to facts and to reassesing his assumptions about reality.

---

I would bet that Mr. Archibald led the charge against allowing NRA’s Eddie Eagle firarms safety course to be taught in public schools.

[archy]

John Archibald sounds as though he might be open to facts and to reassesing his assumptions about reality.

Indeed. He may have a lot more free time in which to do so.

16 April:

Today is a dark day at The News. It marks the last day not only for Ginny, but for health writer Anna Velasco. By May veteran political writer Tom Gordon — with more stored memory than an iPad — will be gone. So will young Erin Stock.

It’s not just a News thing, it’s a news thing. They tell us, in fact, that our readership is good and ad revenue is rebounding. But technology and economics have worn on profitability in all news operations. Ours is no exception.

But it hurts. In all, since buyouts were offered in 2008, The News has lost more than 500 years of reporting experience. Decorated reporter Dave Parks — who pretty much discovered “Gulf War Syndrome” — went. State editor Glenn Stephens, who could pilot a newsroom through a storm with an even keel, is gone. Food writer Jo Ellen O’Hara left us, as did outdoors writer Mike Bolton.

We’ve lost 32 people in the newsroom. Twenty were reporters, the real workhorses.

18 April:

-more-

[metalurgist]

John Archibald is an ass. When a criminal gets dusted it is not a tragedy. It's a cause for celebration.

Because the dirtballs life was ended early, how many more innocent, good Americans were spared the ignominy of being preyed on by said dirtball.

[Billthedrill]

We've been talking, Mr. Archibald. You haven't been listening. I want to believe - I truly do - that a call for gun safety classes for thugs was intended satirically. Because that really is the crux of the matter - they're armed, they're idiots, and they don't care what "requirements" the noble of intention manage to fabricate. Passing laws doesn't help, Mr. Archibald. Thugs don't obey them.

The issue in my view is that the country has entered a state of quasi-warfare between honest people and thugs who have been aided and enabled by liberals who simply see them as solid citizens they haven't talked around yet, as members of an underclass that are simply lashing out against injustice or whatever it is that not possessing other people's wallets is termed these days. Consider this, Mr. Archibald - in a day when one could mail-order a battle rifle, gangs carried knives. What has changed isn't access to firearms. It's something a lot more basic - it's the acceptance of thug violence as socially legitimate. The prospective victims are responding by arming themselves. Ourselves. And we've had gun safety classes, and we do shoot back.

Give it up, Mr. Archibald. You and your ideological cronies managed to start this thing, and hoping that it will all go away if the targets will just die peacefully isn't going to happen. Buy a gun is my advice. You'll need it before I do.