Local Standoff Update
The investigation has concluded that there was not the alleged arsenal in the house and the types of guns used in the recent standoff:
Guns found in the home included one SKS, a military-style, semiautomatic rifle, a 9mm handgun and a shotgun. The shotgun appeared to have been fired twice. The SKS rifle was used to kill Scott, and the youth used the 9mm handgun to end his own life, Guider said.
It should be noted that an SKS has a fixed (not detachable) magazine and is not covered by the Assault Weapons Ban.
March 16th, 2004 at 10:20 am
8 of the 41 Evil Assault Rifles That Kill Cops listed by the VPC are SKSs.
This is because you can put an Evil Black Pistol Grip Stock and an Evil Detachable High Capacity Magazine on an SKS. Since the SKS comes with an integral bayonet: assault weapon!
The VPC notes that they don’t have data on whether the rifles actually used in the crimes were modified or not. I guess a firearm is presumed guilty.
March 16th, 2004 at 10:22 am
I understand why the A.D.A feels he needs a gun in the home to protect himself and his family. I don’t necessarily agree with it in all cases, but for a man in his position, I don’t have a problem.
A shotgun for hunting, or home defense? Ok.
There were two other guns in the home that the police were aware of, but were unidentified in the article.
Guider said he is aware of only five firearms being found in the house after a SWAT team entered the home and found the youth dead of a single gunshot wound to the head.
…
Guider said the three guns appear to be the only ones used by the boy. He said he could not describe the other two guns in the home because he had not seen them.
Why didn’t you mention the other two guns, SU?
Back to the point – I can understand the shotgun and the 9mm, to a point. Not knowing what the unknown two guns are I reserve opinion.
But why in the world did he see a need for the SKS, the one that could cause a “fusillade of shots?
Four other deputies, three from Knox County and one from Blount County, were slightly injured by flying debris kicked up by a fusillade of shots from the heavily armed son of a Loudon County prosecutor. Loudon County deputy slain; sniper, officers in standoff
Plus, officer Scott was killed as he stepped out of his car. More accurately, he was killed by actions not much different from a sniper. The other officers were driven away by the sheer volume of gunfire from the SKS.
Even if Michael’s father was a gun collector and collected the SKS for show, why was there ammo in the house, available and ready for use?
If the SKS had not been there, or had had no ammo circumstances might have been much different. I think there would have been less chance Officer Scott would’ve been killed from that range with a handgun or shotgun (if I’m wrong about the range possibility, please tell me, SU). But if I’m right, it reinforces the fact that that heavy of a weapon has no place in the public’s hands.
It is the weapon of a killer, not a protector.
March 16th, 2004 at 10:24 am
The paragraph above:
“Guider said the three guns appear to be the only ones used by the boy. He said he could not describe the other two guns in the home because he had not seen them.”
…should’ve been in italics to indicate it was part of the newspaper article. Sorry about that.
March 16th, 2004 at 10:32 am
Why didn’t you mention the other two guns, SU?
What’s the point? I don’t know what they are and I merely want a record of what they are. Also, supposedly the handgun and the SKS are the ones used in the standoff.
The rifle may or may not have been more effective. If officer scott was wearing a vest (i don’t know if he was), a handgun would have penetrated penetrated less. If he wasn’t wearing a vest, any of the guns (handgun, shotgun, rifle) would have likely been lethal.
My issue is why did the kid have access to the guns? Why were they not locked up? Why were they accessible?
And regarding your blathering diatribe on the heavy weapon in public hands, it is not a heavy weapon. The SKS fires 7.62X39 cartridge which is substantially less powerful than say a 30-06 hunting rifle. As for in public hands, it’s called the right of the people.
March 16th, 2004 at 11:36 am
Four other deputies, three from Knox County and one from Blount County, were slightly injured by flying debris kicked up by a fusillade of shots from the heavily armed son of a Loudon County prosecutor. Loudon County deputy slain; sniper, officers in standoff
Plus, officer Scott was killed as he stepped out of his car. More accurately, he was killed by actions not much different from a sniper. The other officers were driven away by the sheer volume of gunfire from the SKS.
I could just as easily kill you with a .22 handgun. I could also easily wound you with a .22 handgun by shooting at a woodpile…or a rock pile. Don’t let your anti-gun hysteria lead you astray Barry.
March 16th, 2004 at 11:48 am
But think about the range – he had just stepped out of the car and was sniped. Could you do that with a shotgun or handgun as accurately?
SU, in my definition “heavy weapons” doesn’t merely refer to power, but also range and accuracy – i.e. the sniper rifle. The average Joe homeowner doesn’t need a weapon that can pick off someone at 300′ (or whatever the range of the SKS was – I can’t find it in the news articles now). But it made Michael Harvey’s grim task much easier.
I do completely agree with you that they should have been locked up and inaccesible. Absolutely. But you have a very romantic notion of “the right of the people” when it comes to owning all types of guns, and it blinds you sometimes to the reality of the situation.
Justin, am I hysterical? No, don’t think so – just trying to be rational.
March 16th, 2004 at 12:09 pm
it blinds you sometimes to the reality of the situation.
Pot to kettle, come in, over.
I’d say the range is a non-issue. My understanding was the policeman was in the street or maybe driveway. A shotgun or handgun could make the shot, though the shotgun’s power would be diminished substantially over a decent range.
March 16th, 2004 at 12:43 pm
So an SKS is a sniper rifle? I thought it was an assault weapon?
March 16th, 2004 at 12:45 pm
Thib, no, that was last week. This week it’s something else. Like that XM15 in DC, it was a sniper rifle but now it’s an assault weapon.
March 16th, 2004 at 2:07 pm
I thought it was a special child killing model with 4 pound bullets in a 500 round fully automatic computer controlled magazine?
March 16th, 2004 at 7:11 pm
Barry,
By your own statement, “It is the weapon of a killer, not a protector.” you make a really good point.
Long arms, shotguns rifles, and even the EVIL AssaultWeapons are used is such a small amount of crime, it is truely a non-issue. Handguns tend to be the “Weapon of a Killer” if you do any research at all.
But as SU said, the 9mm could have easily made the shot, and as Justin said, a 22lr pistol could have been used for the exact same purpose.
Now, with all that out of the way,
WTF? “Guider said the three guns appear to be the only ones used by the boy. He said he could not describe the other two guns in the home because he had not seen them.”
WTF WTF WTF!
2 guns in his home that he did not KNOW OF?!?!
Heck even above and beyond that, the boy had issues, he took his own life, and I offer my condolences those that loved him, but Mr. Sks should quote Pacman, “That kid was messed up before I ever met him!”