I am not clear on how an unarmed person can deter someone with a weapon determined to kill as many people as possible. I think it would just add one more to the final body count.
You better kill him first and befor you get within hands reach of him or you are toast.
If I was some crazy sot trying to go out in a blaze of glory, and I arrive at that school with ill intent, the first question that should be bouncing about in my mind is how do I really know he is not armed? How can I be sure, and how lucky do I really feel about that decision? This may very well make me decide to opt for another target, and by creating probable doubt in me this brave man has managed to save lives. Crazies, like many predators and scavengers, will tend to home in on what they consider soft targets. Even healthy lions will target weak prey ...even when they have sufficient strength to take stronger prey they will opt for those will obvious injuries/weakness as a way of ensuring success and/or mitigating against unnecessary injuries.
If I was a criminal, I would rather go to a school that doesn't have a Marine/Army/other standing in front of it.
I think this applies for CCW also ...in cities/areas that are known to have a lot of CCW license holders, or for that matter places that have clear Castle Doctrines in place, people tend to more or less be very respectful. Even though, statistically speaking, if I walk up to you and start beating you up there is a high likelihood that you do NOT have a gun on you. However, you MAY have one, and due to that I will most possibly opt to not engage with you (unnecessarily) because of that.
I think that is also similar to SSBNs ..even if you have a successful nuclear first-strike, taking out or operationally disabling your target's ability to respond with his own ICBMs, there is always the thought that - right now - there are several nuclear ballistic submarines moments away from firing their SLBMs at you. You are not sure where they are, you are not sure if they have their full contingent of warheads, or even if they received their orders in time. Maybe your attack submarines managed to sink them. However, you are simply not sure.
If I was a crazy, I'd see this guy standing there. A US Marine (since I take it there are no former Marines). In uniform. A father. Protecting children.
And I have no way of making sure he is not armed apart from what I read in an article.
I'd get in my car and drive on.
The evil doers are looking for the path of least resistance - they pretty much off themselves as soon as they get it (hear sirens, hear police breaking in, etc.). That particular ‘easy’ path does not look like it goes by this Marine. He is a huge deterrent, just by his presence.
“I am not clear on how an unarmed person can deter someone...”
It’s obvious this Marine has brought the FIRST and MOST important element to the fight...the right attitude.
Believe me, a Marine doesn’t need a gun to kill someone
I disagree. “Officer Presence” is a deterrent. Look Like a Bad A$$, Act like a Bad A$$ and most bad guys will believe you to be a Bad A$$ and steer clear without even thinking of engaging. I have no doubt in my mind a bad guy would think twice about taking this guy on. I also have no doubt this Marine would die protecting the children... outside the school, giving those INSIDE the school a chance to react.
“I am not clear on how an unarmed person can deter someone with a weapon determined to kill as many people as possible. ....I think it would just add one more to the final body count.......”
That was the first thing that came to my mind....His heart is in the right place, but it really is no different than standing on the battlefield defenseless.....The statements of parents feeling better seeing him standing there kind of shows the ignorance of the general public when it comes to defending ourselves.....
“I am not clear on how an unarmed person can deter someone with a weapon determined to kill as many people as possible.”
I’m sorry... did you miss the fact that HE’S A MARINE? He’s a lethal weapon, armed or not!
(In all seriousness, I get your point. I just like Marines.)
Yes but it makes some of the parents feeeel a whole lot better
It might factor into their planning as to which school or mall or theater to shoot up
the pseudo soldiers will always go for the soft target, so even one unarmed Marine can make a difference
A fair point, but these kooks are looking for a soft target. Just someone paying attention, is often a deterrent.
And, would you be willing to bet your life on the fact that he's unarmed?