If you lived in DC metro area, your reaction to the sniper?

[modest mouse]

In the press conferences law enforcement officials have been heard telling residents to remain calm, go about their normal routines, etc, etc.

Does this fly with anyone?

I say FUCK THAT. This is one of those rare crime sprees that is random, is deadly, and is continuing with little end in sight. Sure the chances of you getting shot are slim, but so were the chances of all the other victims.

I know that keeping people calm is a concern but you invalidate most of what you say by telling people its cool to hang around outisde, like its no big deal that someone is blowing holes in bodies from hundreds of yards away.

The officials could have been a bit more realistic.

 

[Cheyenne]

I'd at least do my shopping and getting gas on the weekend, not weekdays.

 

[HeavyStick]

 

[Burning Chrome]

Hey ma, can I stay at your house for a while.

 

[freakygirl]

I wouldn't be outside.. or near any windows without curtains.

But then again, I'm a chicken.

 

[HeavyStick]

I wouldn't be outside.. or near any windows without curtains.

But then again, I'm a chicken.

nothing chicken about self preservation.

 

[Sandia]

I'd probably cut down on my smoking.

 

[thumbs2_ca]

hmm

I guess it is easy to say when you are not there but I would continue doing the same things.

 

[nasty1]

At 1st, I would be scared to death. Then, I'd say, FUCK IT! I can't have fear rule my life.

 

[Starfish]

I would prolly just cut down on things a bit, and do what I normally would if needed, but otherwise, you wouldn't find me taking my dogs to the park or hanging out in town clothes shopping or whatever, like a sitting duck. Fuck that.

 

[Lost Cause]

That which does not kill you...

IF I lived in the affected area, I would assume a tactical position. I would survey the places I would stop at for clear shot areas, use parking garages, and put a door or vehicle between me and a open area when pumping gas. I would drive around the perimeter of where I'm going to stop to see if I noticed anything unusual.
Since they don't trust their citizens with firarms there, the chances are remote that the sniper could be killed by returning fire by shoppers. (Don't anyone give me your anti-gun bullshit, I've heard all the hysteric reasons on earth.)

 

[Nora]

I'd be hitting Sandia up for cash to pay my "smoking in a prohibited area" fines.

 

[Weird Harold]

In the press conferences law enforcement officials have been heard telling residents to remain calm, go about their normal routines, etc, etc.

Does this fly with anyone?

I say FUCK THAT. This is one of those rare crime sprees that is random, is deadly, and is continuing with little end in sight. Sure the chances of you getting shot are slim, but so were the chances of all the other victims.

I spent two years in SouthEast Asia, and have lived with the kind of uncertainty that having a sniper on the loose produces.

I currently live on the border of gang turf and have to be concerned about stray bullets from the social interactions on the other side of the border.

If I lived in the DC area, I'd do exactly what I do now -- go where and when I want to and trust statistics to keep me safe from harm.

I've watch people worry themselves into trembling wrecks over the slimmest of possible fates -- lightening strikes, earthquakes, gang shootings, drunk drivers, etc -- and this is just one more hazard involved in everyday life that worrying about does more harm than the hazard does.

 

[Sandia]

Teach a man to fish...

 

[Azwed]

Re: That which does not kill you...

IF I lived in the affected area, I would assume a tactical position. I would survey the places I would stop at for clear shot areas, use parking garages, and put a door or vehicle between me and a open area when pumping gas. I would drive around the perimeter of where I'm going to stop to see if I noticed anything unusual.
Since they don't trust their citizens with firarms there, the chances are remote that the sniper could be killed by returning fire by shoppers. (Don't anyone give me your anti-gun bullshit, I've heard all the hysteric reasons on earth.)

He is shooting from hundred of yards away and is probably somewhat concealed. What do you think the chances of some untrained numbnut hitting him with a handgun are? Lets say someone had a rifle of similar capablity with them when an attack went down. There is no way they are going to get the rifle set up and have a chance to shoot back before he flees.

He has also made several killings in NOVA(Northern Virginia) which does not have the gun restrictions that D.C does.

 

[Nora]

Teach a man to fish...

LMAO! Gee, thanks! Good thing Austin's so crime free, eh? *grins*

 

[Lost Cause]

Az....

Why generalize when referring to citizens that carry firearms for defense? The guys I hang with all have concealed permits, and practice more often than the police. I know most people have the gun-ban crowd's stereotype in their mind when they think of an armed citizenry, it's good brainwashing, and it's worked on 70% of the unwashed masses out there. Okay, how about this? Armed security guards (plainclothes)that have state required firearms training patrolling 100-200 yards out around malls and such? It's a better solution than that buffoon dressed as a police chief has come up with!

 

[Azwed]

I would probably wager a guess that the guys you hang with are not representative of the average gun owner. Perhaps they would be representative of the average concealed weapons holder. I still doubt they regularly carry around a rifle capable of hitting a man hundreds of yards away. What kind of chance would they get to ues it if they did though? You tell me how quickly could they retrive it from their car and try to lay a bead down on a target hundreds of yards away when they may or may not know its bearing?

 

[MechaBlade]

The officials could have been a bit more realistic.

And say what? "Yeah, we have no clue who this guy is. I suggest everyone shit their pants like I'm doing right now and leave DC."

I would leave DC, if possible.

 

[Weird Harold]

I still doubt they regularly carry around a rifle capable of hitting a man hundreds of yards away.

You're assuming that an armed citizen would have to intervene from near the target. That's NOT the case. In Monday's shooting, there were at least three witnesses who saw him take aim and shoot from 90 ft away from the victim.

All of them were within easy pistol range of the sniper and if any of them had been carrying a concealed weapon, this case would be over.

90 feet (30 Yds) is well within range for most pistols, so Monday's victim's husband could have returned fire if he were armed.

 

[Guest]

 

[Susano]

I live in northern Maryland, just outside the area the sniper's been hitting. I keep an eye out for white trucks when I'm outside and move a little like I'm playing Quake. Not moving to Canada, though

 

[Soblue]

Ever since the day that boy was shot, I have been really thinking about this. I'd be afraid to send my kids to school. I think I'd be taking them there and picking them up myself, just for my own peace of mind.

I'm sure I'd be more of a shut in too. Have groceries delivered, and stay in as much as possible.

 

[Lost Cause]

Try not to.....

Show fear to your kids, they pick that up right away. Let them know that the sniper is a bad man and they have to be careful, put it in perspective. Kids look to the parent to be the tower of security in life, if they see a crack in that security, they develop exaggerated insecurities because of the uncertainy of their protection. Don't teach them to be cowards and sheep.

 

[modest mouse]

Re: Re: If you lived in DC metro area, your reaction to the sniper?

If I lived in the DC area, I'd do exactly what I do now -- go where and when I want to and trust statistics to keep me safe from harm.

I've watch people worry themselves into trembling wrecks over the slimmest of possible fates -- lightening strikes, earthquakes, gang shootings, drunk drivers, etc -- and this is just one more hazard involved in everyday life that worrying about does more harm than the hazard does.

I'll readily agree that the worrying is worse than the hasard. My point of contention was about the statements made by local authorities. Should people go about a relatively 'normal' day? Yes. Should they be concerned about the sniper? Yes. Its naturally going to be in the minds of residents so dont deny them that.

The unrealistic tone to the comments hindered the message that life goes on. A bit of reassurance that the police were doing everything they could would have gone much farther than a fake reassurance that its no big deal.

Myself, well I think there is little choice. I gotta work, eat, etc etc. So Im out there doing my thing but I would honestly have it in the back of my mind. Not all the time, not frightenigly so. BUt it would be there.

And say what? "Yeah, we have no clue who this guy is. I suggest everyone shit their pants like I'm doing right now and leave DC."

I would leave DC, if possible.

Not quite that far. (wink)

If the press conferences start coming from bunkers or from somewhere 200 miles away... get nervous.

I doubt leaving DC is a viable option for most. As Weird harold indicates that would be a case of the cure being worse than the affliction, or soemthing to that affect.

Lets hope they catch the people behind it as soon as possible. From the looks of things it will continue until arrests are made.