in other words
The Gun Doctor: Gun-Free Zones
By Wolfgang Rotbart
In the wake of the Aurora, Colo-
rado, movie theater shootings, there has
been a lot of discussion regarding how,
or even if, this tragedy could have been
prevented. This is a proper and reason-
able response to a horrific crime and I
would like to address this topic. I intend
to have a second part to this next month,
as it is a very encompassing discussion.
One of the most often touted
suggestions for reducing mass shootings
and other violent crime is to increase the
number of so-called “Gun-Free Zones”.
I must admit this one is so ludicrous
upon even the most casual examination
of the facts, that it is difficult to maintain
a professional attitude.
Virtually every one of the mass
shootings in the past few years have been
in so-called “Gun-Free Zones.” I prefer
the more accurate term “victim disarma-
ment zones”. There has never been one
documented case of a “gun-free zone”
sign stopping anyone intent on commit-
ting a crime. Never.
Is there anyone who seriously
believes that placing a “Do Not Rob”
sign on every business door would re-
duce robberies? Well, of course not,
but many people seem to accept that a
“gun-free zone” sign would. The only
ones who obey such silly signs are law-
abiding citizens who pose virtually no
threat and are quite often responsible for
aborting violent crimes.
Yes, that’s correct, there are
many documented instances of law-
abiding gun owners who stop these ram-
pages before they start or at least end
them quickly with minimal loss of life.
Even a casual Internet search provides
reams of evidence from reputable news
sources to support this. Somehow, this
never seems to make it into the national
news. As I read on one blog, “A mas-
sacre is a story. Thwarting a massacre
isn’t.”
I doubt that hardly anyone has
heard about the shooting spree by a
student at a law school in Virginia. On
the other hand, I’m sure many remem-
ber the massacre at Virginia Tech a few
years ago. In the first instance, two le-
gally armed students intervened with
the result of 3 killed, 3 wounded; in the
other, the unarmed victims, 32 killed, 17
wounded, just waited their turn to be ex-
ecuted. Virginia Tech was a “gun-free
zone,” the law school was not.
Much more recently, a legally
armed man stopped a knife-wielding
man from carving up even more folks at
a market in Salt Lake City. Luckily for
the victims in this case, the market was
Creature Comforts ~ Changes
not a “gun-free zone”. And the list goes
on and on.
Do a quick Internet search on
this subject and include “Israel” and
you’ll be truly amazed at how often
those folks successfully deal with mur-
derous attacks. Much of the population
is armed and for good reason. You have
to admit, these folks are serious and ef-
fective when it comes to self-defense.
It has been shown that the vast
majority of these mass shooting maniacs
have two criteria in mind when they plan
their attacks: a crowded, public place
(a “target-rich environment” in military
terms) and the high probability of un-
armed victims. It’s just safer and more
effective to shoot crowds of unarmed
people.
These people may be insane, but
they are most certainly not stupid and of-
ten show meticulous detail in planning
their attacks.
So, what can be done be done to
prevent these mass shootings?
“Gun-free zones” have never
been shown to prevent even one single
attack and seems to actually promote
them. For an amazing number of peo-
ple, the obvious answer to this lack of
effectiveness is “Make more Gun-Free
Zones!”
However, since the “gun-free”
By Michal Smith
First, we are downsizing the number of live animals
kept in the store at any one time. Feed, medication,
The retail industry in general is ever and general care costs have risen dramatically in
changing and so must Creatures if we wish to the past couple of years and only continue to rise
continue serving this awesome community. We’ve and we cannot pass along those costs to new pet
all heard the adage “change or die” and Creatures owners who can find animals cheaper direct from
Pet Store is changing to avert the latter. We’ve breeders or friends etc. And pet food manufactures
already begun undergoing some changes inside the no longer offer free samples of food which would
store you may have already noticed.
typically assist offset internal costs.
S e c o n d l y,
we have been
tracking our traffic
and sales data over
The Friends of the Library this fundraising by the Friends of the
the past 18 months
would like to thank everyone who Library.
very closely. At this
The summer’s successful
donated and purchased books during
time, it only makes
the annual Jamboree Book Sale. This reading program for youngsters, Dream
good business sense
sale is the main fundraising event of Big—READ!, ended with the entry in the
to change our hours
this organization whose main purpose Jamboree parade. All of the participants
of operation to be
is to supplement library programs and in this program deserve thanks for a job
closed on Mondays
materials. Books for children, a family WELL DONE!. Programs like this can
which follow the
pass to OMSI, snacks and supplies for only succeed with the encouragement
traffic and sales
the after school program, computer and support of parents and with the
trend to date. If in
equipment, overnight lodging for dedication of volunteers who freely
authors and entertainers, programs for give of their time to assist the staff and
the future a new
adults and children, and movie licensing youngsters.
demand were to
On the Shelves - What’s
Happening at the Vernonia Library
august14
2012
7
concept has shown itself to be totally in-
effective and worse, I would suggest the
opposite approach. Encourage “Peace-
ful, Law-Abiding Gun Owners Wel-
come” zones. You may not stop a deter-
mined shooting attack if armed, but it’s
almost guaranteed you won’t if you’re
not armed.
Ever hear of a mass shooting at
a gun show?
Follow-up information to topics
in this and other articles can be found on
the “Resources” page on The Gun Doc-
tor home page (www.wolfgangthegun-
doctor.com).
I welcome ideas for topics for
these articles. Please email them to:
Wolfgang@WolfgangTheGunDoctor.
com, or call me at 503-429-7342 10:00
– 5:00 M – F
Wolfgang Rotbart is an AGI-certified
Master Gunsmith and a NRA-certified
Basic Pistol Course Instructor. He
works as a gunsmith and as an Oregon
Concealed Handgun Safety Course In-
structor. You may visit The Gun Doctor
website for more information at: http://
www.wolfgangthegundoctor.com
emerge to the contrary, we will certainly respond.
Third, we will be clearing out used,
overstock, and “one of a kind” inventory items via
“clearance” sales and in store incentives so that we
can focus space and monies on a more relative and
comprehensive product selection of commonly
used and desired items.
Lastly, we will continually be working to
improve our services so that we can best meet pet
owner needs locally. Our long term efforts will be
evolving along the way so we encourage you to
check in from time to time and see what’s new or
is available right here in your own backyard!
We are so thankful for all the support this
community has shown us and we feel so blessed to
open up this store each morning. We know we’ll
continue to have your understanding and support
through these necessary changes. That being said,
we welcome your feedback anytime via email at
creatures@frontier.com or in person. Our new
hours of operation are: Tues-Fri 10:00 AM - 6:00
PM and Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Closed Sun &
Mon. ***Please note we will be closed Saturday,
August 18th to attend a Pet Industry Trade Show!
For fast
cash!
010412
are just some of the positive results of
Silkscreen printing
Printing while you wait for small orders
Vinyl lettering and heat transfers
Now featuring
Teams, groups, special events
Astoria Brewing beers
Growlers To Go
Smoke House Ribs
2245 Baseline St., Cornelius
(Across from Fred Meyer)
503-530-8119
State Licensed PB-0388
Open
everyday
at 9 a.m.
See our hours and music schedule on facebook
Birkenfeld country store and cafe
Hoodies, dress shirts, aprons & more
No order too large or too small
No set-up fees
11139 Highway 202
(503) 755-2722
711 Bridge Street, Vernonia
(503) 433-4278
kavila@kaptanskraft.com
