Armed veteran told not to help others in the Umpqua Campus shooting?

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 10:19:42 -0400

It is only after the smoke clears that we learn the rest of the story...or so we hope...but I just now learned that while the murder went from student to student executing Christians, other veterans wanting to help...one armed...were stopped from saving their classmates?

Any thoughts?

http://www.ijreview.com/2015/10/436638-armed-vet-umpqua-campus-staff-stopped-assisting-shooting/

There Was an Armed Vet on the Umpqua Campus But Staff Stopped Him from Assisting During the...

"...we were gonna go out and see what we could do."

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 7 at 2015 10:21 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 10:21:31 -0400

This is very sad MSG Brad Sand but unfortunately not unsurprising.
In communities which are opposed to citizens exercising their 2nd amendment rights and responsible gun ownership there seems to be a stigma attached to people using guns to stop others from hurting people.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Oct 7 at 2015 10:22 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 10:22:24 -0400

I understand this does not support the narrative they want us to believe...but the more facts we get, the more troubling this story is and the more I think I am becoming a conspiracy nut?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2015 10:32 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 10:32:45 -0400

MSG Brad Sand Thanks for posting this. I had heard that there was a vet who was told to stand down by the staff. Wonder how many lives could have been saved?

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Oct 7 at 2015 10:34 AM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 10:34:59 -0400

It is possible that a combat experienced veteran could handle this situation. BUT, and it's a huge BUT, how many others are packing, who aren't veterans, who would just hurt or kill innocents while trying to get the doer?

The school didn't want more casualties - that's why the lockdown policies exist.

I still maintain (I am not a gun owner or NRA member and never have been) that the way to end these issues is with approaches that get to the root causes of this violence.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2015 10:49 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 10:49:21 -0400

well ... that is not his job. Let the police do their ... right? that is the idea ... so do nothing please. Don't help at all, just let them die. :)

Response by SrA Jonathan Carbonaro made Oct 7 at 2015 10:54 AM

SrA Jonathan Carbonaro — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 10:54:28 -0400

The Veterans that failed to act were in the wrong, as were the teachers. What the professors failed to understand was that these veterans have unique skill sets. It is entirely possible that if a Medic or Corpseman had been there they could of rendered aid that might have saved lives. The Armed Vet could of gone with them to provide them protection while they rendered aid.
Gun Free Zones don't work, Gun Control doesn't work.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Oct 7 at 2015 10:57 AM

SSG Carlos Madden — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 10:57:31 -0400

This is interesting and a good example of how the media can interview the same individual and generate a different narrative. Thanks for posting!

The same person also appeared on MSNBC and stated he chose not to intervene because he didn't want to the SWAT to confuse him with the shooter.

"Luckily we made the choice not to get involved ... We were quite a distance away from the building where this was happening. And we could have opened ourselves up to be potential targets ourselves, and not knowing where SWAT was, their response time, they wouldn’t know who we were. And if we had our guns ready to shoot, they could think that we were bad guys.”

Student On UCC Campus Had Concealed Weapon During Shooting

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2015 11:46 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 11:46:05 -0400

This is a bit of a non-story in my opinion, but here are my thoughts:

1. He wasn't supposed to have a gun. Take that for what it's worth, I'm not saying he shouldn't have but it was illegal/against school policy. They could have been trying to "protect" him both safety-wise and litigation-wise. Of course the staff of the school isn't going to encourage someone to confront an armed shooter, regardless of experience/situation.

2. The staff couldn't have stopped him if he really wanted to go.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2015 8:40 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 20:40:30 -0400

I feel that's a "cop out".

1. As someone posted earlier, he told a different version (he chose not to get involved because of SWAT).

2. It is illegal to carry any type of firearm in a "Gun Free" Zone. Period.

3. I have nothing but respect for Chris Mintz as he confronted the shooter, unarmed, and received 7 rounds for it but saved a lot of lives.

4. If you are going to violate the law, you better damn well insert yourself into the situation and neutralize the threat before more people die, or die trying.

Response by SPC Nathan Freeman made Oct 9 at 2015 7:06 AM

SPC Nathan Freeman — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 07:06:46 -0400

I'm sure it was protocol to hide and cry as civilian staff. I would have disregarded their statement and intervened anyway.

Response by SPC Gary Welch made Jul 3 at 2018 11:52 AM

SPC Gary Welch — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 11:52:33 -0400

As a veteran I had two reasons to join the military wanting to serve my country and wanting to help those who can't protect themselves if I was a concealed carry license holder and I was in this situation I would stop at nothing to help in an active shooter situation. Those of you that say to not intervene make me sick people who carry a firearm legally do so for one reason to protect their family themselves and others in situations like this.I could not live with myself if somebody needed help and I just sat on my ass and did nothing.So if you people that don't want people to carry firearms get in a situation like this and a person with a firearm saves your ass just quit your bitchon and thank them.