RSSOne Dead in School Shooting at Virginia Tech, Suspect in Custody (Update: Reported 20 Fatalities, Now 22 … 29 … 32 … 33)
Officials have confirmed that one person is dead and several others have been wounded in a shooting incident incident at the West Ambler Johnston residence hall. The gunman is reportedly in custody. Many more updates to follow below including from local Blacksburg, VA newspapers of actual accounts.
Report: Gunman at Virginia Tech University Caught After 1 Person Killed
UPDATE I: Two shootings have occurred at VA Tech this morning. One at West Ambler Johnston residence hall and the other at Norris Hall.
From the Virginia Tech web-site:
University Advisory:
Gunman on campus; all classes canceled
04/16/2007, Updated 10:51 a.m.In addition to an earlier shooting today in West Ambler Johnston, there has been a multiple shooting with multiple victims in Norris Hall. Police and EMS are on the scene.
Police have one shooter in custody and as part of routine police procedure, they continue to search for a second shooter.
All people in university buildings are required to stay inside until further notice. All entrances to campus are closed.
(locations of shootings at VA Tech)
AP: As Many as 8 Additional Casualties in Shooting at Virginia Tech Campus; 1 Confirmed Dead
School officials planned a noon EDT press conference Monday.
The school’s Web site also confirmed the shooting at opposite ends of the 2,600-acre campus at West Ambler Johnston, a residence hall, and reported “multiple victims” at Norris Hall, an engineering building.
Local FOX affiliate WFXR-TV in Richmond reported that there were two shooting incidents on campus — one that occurred between 7:15 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. at West Ambler Johnston Dorm, and another at 10 a.m. at Norris Hall. Police will not confirm in which incident someone was injured, or where. (Fox News)
UPDATE II: 1 Killed in Shootings at Virginia Tech
“There’s just a lot of commotion. It’s hard to tell exactly what’s going on,” said student Jason Anthony Smith, 19, who lives in the building where shooting took place.
Madison Van Duyne, a student who was interviewed by telephone on CNN, said, “We are all in lockdown. Most of the students are sitting on the floors away from the windows just trying to be as safe as possible.”
Officials ordered the campus closed, the second time in less than a year the 26,000-student campus was shut because of a shooting. (Breitbart)
UPDATE III: Virginia Tech Shooting: One Dead, 2 Possible Shooters, One In Custody
Virginia Tech Shooting Update – A gunman, who is possibly one of the students, is currently on the loose at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. One gunmen has been apprehended and there would appear to be a second one on the loose, according to reports.
The campus of Virginia Tech is currently the scene of at least two separate shootings. (Post Chronicle)
UPDATE IV: Reports are now indicating that there may be at least 17 wounded in the shooting.
UPDATE V: Va Tech News Conference, OMG there appear to be 20 fatalities in this mornings shootings. The police believe that there was only one gunman. This story just went from bad to tragic. The police are reporting that there are at least 20 dead from this mornings shootings on the campus of Virginia Tech. Our prayers go out to all the families, friends and loved ones of this senseless and tragic event.
UPDATE VI: Updates from The Collegiate Times, Now 22 fatalities and gunman confirmed dead
Monday, April 16th 2007 12:23AM
Virginia Tech police have confirmed 22 fatalities resulting from the campus shootings today. The gunman has also been confirmed dead.Three people were escorted out of Norris Hall by police. The three were handcuffed, separated, questioned, unhandcuffed and then canine teams were sent into Norris Hall said junior computer engineer Nick Saunders who watched the events unfold from the the second floor of Randolph Hall.
UPDATE VII: 22 dead in Va. Tech shooting rampage
The numbers of dead and casualties continue to rise.
BLACKSBURG, Va. – At least 22 people were killed Monday in a shooting rampage on the Virginia Tech campus, police said. They said the gunman was among the dead.
In addition to those killed, officials said at least 28 people were wounded.
Virginia Tech Police Chief Wendell Flinchum said the gunman was dead, but that he didn’t know how he died. (MSNBC)
UPDATE VIII: Local TV Accounts of the Deadliest Shooting on a School Campus in History.
UPDATE IX: President George W. Bush reacts to VA Tech
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Bush was described Monday as shocked and saddened by the mass shooting at Virginia Tech, the deadliest incident of campus violence ever in this country.
“He was horrified and his immediate reaction was one of deep concern for the families of the victims, the victims themselves, the students, the professors and all the people of Virginia who have dealt with this shocking incident,” White House deputy press secretary Dana Perino said. “His thoughts and prayers are with them.”
UPDATE X: Death Toll Up to 29 as per ABC, Massacre at Virginia Tech: 29 Confirmed Dead
Now Fox News is stateing that there are 32 confirmed deaths.
UPDATE XI: Follow continued live reporting from Roanoke.com
Statement from VA Senator Jim Webb
“I am truly saddened to hear of the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech. My heart goes out to the parents and families of the victims of this senseless act. My office has been in communication with the Governor’s office and officials at Virginia Tech to offer any assistance.”
UPDATE XII: President George W. Bush comments on shootings at VA Tech.
THE PRESIDENT: Our nation is shocked and saddened by the news of the shootings at Virginia Tech today. The exact total has not yet been confirmed, but it appears that more than 30 people were killed and many more were wounded.
I’ve spoken with Governor Tim Kaine and Virginia Tech President Charles Steger. I told them that Laura and I and many across our nation are praying for the victims and their families and all the members of the university community who have been devastated by this terrible tragedy. I told them that my administration would do everything possible to assist with the investigation, and that I pledged that we would stand ready to help local law enforcement and the local community in any way we can during this time of sorrow.
Schools should be places of safety and sanctuary and learning. When that sanctuary is violated, the impact is felt in every American classroom and every American community.
Today, our nation grieves with those who have lost loved ones at Virginia Tech. We hold the victims in our hearts, we lift them up in our prayers, and we ask a loving God to comfort those who are suffering today.
Thank you.
(AP/The Roanoke Times)
UPDATE XIII: Video of Press Conderence from VA Tech
During the press conference, school officals struggled to explain the chain of events and why events occured as they did this morning.
University President Charles Steger said authorities believed that the shooting at the dorm was a domestic dispute and mistakenly thought the gunman had fled the campus.
“We had no reason to suspect any other incident was going to occur,” Steger said.
He defending the university’s handling of the tragedy, saying: “We can only make decisions based on the information you had on the time. You don’t have hours to reflect on it.”
Steger said school officials are notifying victims’ next of kin, and state police and the FBI are still investigating the various crime scenes. Campus police confirmed that the bodies of some of the victims had not yet been removed, and the process of identifying them was ongoing (Fox News)
UPDATE XIV: 33 now dead, Gunman kills 32 including himself in Va Tech Massacre
BLACKSBURG, Va. – A gunman massacred 32 people at Virginia Tech in the
deadliest shooting rampage in modern U.S. history Monday, cutting down his victims in two attacks two hours and a half-mile apart before the university could figure out what was going on and get the warning out to students.
The bloodbath ended with the gunman committing suicide, bringing the death toll to 33 and stamping the campus in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains with tragedy, perhaps forever. (Yahoo News)
Posted April 16, 2007 by Scared Monkeys Crime, Deceased, Education, Murder, VA Tech Massacre | 57 comments |
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57 Responses to “One Dead in School Shooting at Virginia Tech, Suspect in Custody (Update: Reported 20 Fatalities, Now 22 … 29 … 32 … 33)”
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This is VERY bad!!!
Several of my co-workers (one a manager) have left because their kids are students at Tech. I pass Tech every day on the way to work.
There were 2 bomb threats this weekend on the news. I was WEIRD because Tech is a really, good school and such things are rare. My thought is that it may have been related somehow…a person casing the place or trying to get in while the school was evacuated??
Anyone who can access it, local radio stations WFIR and WWWR were airing live reports from the students in Blacksburg. I could listen in my car, but can’t find it on the radio. If anyone has luck, give us instructions :>)
Wonder how this will effect the “Girls Gone Wild” thing that is supposedly coming up this weekend?
Brenda
BTW…mentioned GGW because I understand some “serious altercations” between those wanting the show coming and those opposed has been occurring in Blacksburg since the announcement of the show.
I am hoping this is NOT related to that. YOu know, jealous boyfriend of girl who insists on participating or anything so insane as that…
Brenda
This is most likely the worst shooting ever on a school campus ever.
A tragic, actually beyond tragic situation.
R
According to accounts from MSNBC, the suspect was a young American male who killed himseld after the carnage. Police did not shoot gunman, but it appeards he killed himself.
R
Our prayers are all we can offer to the families, friends and other students of the victims of this truly tragic massacre. Radio news is calling it the worst school shooting in the history of the country.
What a sad commentary that there exists such a thing as “school shootings”! That is the last place that shootings should be happening. I will never understand it.
I am so sorry for all those involved and whose lives are touched directly by this. I am also sad for us as a nation for this is a national tragedy as well.
.
Yes…suicide is what those who’ve been talking on local radio are saying.
Brenda
This is really bad. From the high number of fatalities, it would seem someone knew what they were doing. The shooting at UT in 1966 by Charles Whitman killed 15. The Virginia Tech shootings already exceed that.
Pic of shooter…
http://www.roanoke.com/
don’t know how long it will be left up, but this is actually a picture of the shooter being brought off of one of the playing fields where he was found/cornered/whatever after he commit suicide.
I do not think whoever posted this realized he was dead…
Brenda
My prayers are with all those there and their families. This is bad beyond belief. We think our kids are safe at schools, or somewhat safe from a crime having soo many victims. I have not had access to cable news, does anyone know who the killer was and why he killed all these students?
Maybe it is a good idea to prohibit selling guns. It might be your child next time.
My husband is at home listening to local 960 AM. He called to say a student they just interviewed tell it was a young asian man looking for his girlfriend. (what did I say ealier?)
Anyway, he had lined those people against the wall in that building and started shooting execution style. This will only get worse as we learn more.
I work directly across the street from one of the hospitals where 5 of the students were taken (those who came to Roanoke). Went to lunch today at 11:00 and wondered why the police were racing around like mad! Figured a terrible interstate accident…but they were escorting the ambulances carrying the students in and blocking intersections for the ambulances to race through.
Last night, we had 65+ MPH sustained winds! NO WAY could a helicopter fly. Too bad because it’s 25 minutes drive between the college and Roanoke, so those long rides due to weather may have cost more lives. How sad.
Brenda
maybe more good guys should have em
Gunman is thought to have chained some of the doors before entering the building so no escape for the victims.
robots
point well taken, one good guy with equalizer may have stopped the carnage much quicker. This piece of human? debris(as in garbage)was not worth the life of a cockroach, let alone the innocent victims he had killed.
please excuse my emotions as I type this post.
Our prayers for these families are many as they sift thru the carnage and the absolute feartrying to learn if their loved one has been killed or if they were spared.
Does anyone know if there has been a relief fund set up to help victims and their families yet? If anyone finds one can you ask Red & Tom to post it please?
Actually, Lewis Gale Hospital is in Salem. Didn’t realize that the side of the street they are on was city…thought it was Roanoke County like us.
Anyway, I added some comments to what I cut/paste from the WDJB7 site below on where victims were taken:
WDBJ7.com
The wounded are being treated at several area hospitals.
17 at Montgomery Regional in Blacksburg
(note: same hopital where Morva shot/killed a security guard last year after escaping custody of the jailer who brought him to the hospital. He then went to VA Tech campus and shot another officer before being apprehended.)
4 at New River Valley Medical Center in Radford
(Next closest hospital to VA Tech. My next door neighbor is a nurse there, so I’ll try to talk to her later.)
3 at Roanoke Memorial
(Across town. and furthest from VA Tech)
5 at Lewis Gale in Salem
(across from where I work and most advanced hospital in our area. It’s about 10 minutes closer to VA Tech than Roanoke Memorial.)
I know more have died. This is bad and another friend works at Tech as an electrician. Will see what I can learn if it isn’t already public.
Brenda
I have a permit to carry my gun and if ever faced with a person shooting others and i get my chance to take em out i would in a heartbeat!
Why, why, WHY?
No need to excuse your emotions kay zee ess, this person was just a selfish bastard. A friend of mine had 2 kids in the Jonesboro shooting and its the most horrific thing.
They are stating that the suspect was an Asian-American male in his 20′s according to some eyewitness accounts.
This individual did go after a building that housed engineering studies. Is it possible that he was a present or former engineering major who failed out and was there to exact his revenge?
With all the buildings on this campus that he could have gone into and fired upon student, why this one?
Maybe he was familiar with it, knew the hall ways, class rooms and way around. It would make sense, in what is just a senseless act.
R
My prayers go out to the familys and friends of these poor innocent ppl…Why??????its so senseless and cruel. How do you wake up and say”Today is the day I kill ppl”???i just dont get it.
Pretty much everyone around here is saying he was looking for his girlfriend who (as my co-worker’s daughter said) was either an engineering student herself or had dumped said shooter for an engineering student. That’s the work in Ronaoke for now…girlfriend issues.
Gee, think we can see why she didn’t want to date him anymore???
Brenda
If this is true that the first shooting occurred at 7:15 AM and no alert was put out by the university until close to 10 AM….and this guy walks across campus and shoots 30 other people….they ought to hang the President of VTU up by his BALL$ and line him up.
What a joke….how that campus isn’t on complete lockdown by 8 AM is a frigging joke…..maybe those in authority should start to be held accountable for their errors in judgement….trust me, this will be a key point that is discussed for years in the case….
This is terrible and shocking news!
Prayers to all the familys and friends!
Maybe it’s time for stricter gun-laws in the US and laws on violent computer-games and movies.
What in the heck is happening to this once beautiful U.S.A. There are so many crazy or possibly drug-crazed people walking around and ruining our “Home of the Free” making people fearful just to go to school or to a mall anymore. This is not the country I grew up in when you could walk to school, keep our house unlocked, play in your yard without the fear of an abduction or sexual altercation.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families of the Virginia Tech students that were innocently taken from them today and to all the scared students living on campus and going to school there. I can’t imagine the fear they must have and will have for a long time to come.
God help all the sick people and drug addict sickos that are running free, that they get help or leave innocent people alone!
Read an analysis of the influences in our “Chain Letter Society” that may be precipitating events like the tragedy at Virginia Tech and how our focus on winning and being number one may be fostering a generation of children with fully inadequate coping skills who have a misguided sense of self-worth…here:
http://www.thoughttheater.com/2007/04/chain_letter_society_on_the_virginia_tech_tragedy.php
Stricter gun law are not the answer. Criminals always find a way to get the guns. The irony of gun law prevention is that VA passed a law that stated people could carry lawfully concealed weapons except on a a college campus.
Thus only security was allowed to carry weapons; however, they minute a student got off campus they could carry a concealed weapon.
This afternoons presser by the Va Tech President was a CYA on biblical proportions. They really need to admit that they blew it and correct the problems and provide security for students.
Why the school was not shut down with a known killer on the loose will result in massive lawsuits against this college.
R
This obscene and beyond words.i am so shocked
Scared Monkeys ~ our sentiments, exactly..(#27 comment)… my husband is a V.Tech Grad and he’s sickened by this, as well as I ~ we thought the exact same thing ~ lock down should have been imposed immediately, regardless of the investigation continuing… how about proffessors being trained and allowed having tazers?? is that what it’s coming to??
Our hearts ache and we’re so immensely sad for the families enduring this heinous act… oh, it’s so awful, there aren’t words enough to tell these families our sorrow ~ our sons are in college and home now and we’ve discussed this as a family and prayed for them all and will continue to do so ~ as well as the President of V-Tech and his staff…here’s a man who’s sick with greif… this was on his watch ~
Watching the live interview on TV, it was so apparent ~ a CYA event ~ no comment ~ please… please just say you screwed up and apologize to the families, it may be easier than CYA’ing ~ oh my! Universities/Colleges world over will all be reviewing policy from this horriffic event ~ how sad for all…Universities need to implement better safety policies ~ sad, but true ~ and it’s reality.
God Bless those families learning about their children, brother, sister…~ their pain is so raw right now…
It’s horriffic and shocking ~ surreal even, but we know it’s all to real ~ There are no words to say to them, other than “this sucks!”
-kitty & family
Mistakes were made and some will pay for life.. A tragedy.
Think we are starting to see that an Amber-like system needs to be set up on college campuses to warn and inform people ASAP.
E-mails are not enough. We learned from this horrible disaster that all students are not checking them, especially in the AM. What about the computers, what access did they have. Warnings need to be provided thru:
1. e-mails
2. cell phone texting
3. audio announcements in PA system
4. Alarm bell warnings.
The rapid and proper dissemination of information can save lives.
That’s why we do it with AMBER, why not in schools?
R
As real as it is, it seems absolutely unbelievable that the response to the early morning shooting was so inadequate that the killer could cross campus and strike again 2 hours later. What in the name of Sam Hill was campus security and the police doing during that time?
I also wonder what he did for 2 hours?
As long as there are guns accessible to just about anyone….
What I find amazing is that back when I was in college, ie pre email, the mobilization of communication would have been much faster than what we saw today. Each floor of the dorms and classroom buildings had speakers in case of an emergency, and the word would have spread in minutes.
I think the use of email was counter productive in this situation. Echo’ing what Red said, email is not enough. The kids use texting like we adults use email and it is something they check when they have to, not eagerly.
Tom
Truly, an alert system as suggested is a great idea..
Hokie Alert system…
May they lead the way in future prevention in alerting the campus body… (and help model it for all campuses)… let’s give it more thought and not only suggest what you’ve listed…but come up with a comprehensive program ~ a world role model…
security in general on College/University campus’s need to be improved… kids piggyback all the time as shown on Primetime, or one of those shows, recently showed it happening so easily on Univ. campus’…kids sneak in all the time ~ V-Tech, They failed the exam test on this one…as well as UMass.
I also want to know why this guy hasn’t been identified?
Where’s the security camera’s?? How did this guy enter and get in the dorm in the first place?? (the first domestic event)… Aren’t there security camera’s in the dorm entries/exits?? ~ was he staying there overnight?? My son has to use a credit card ID to get into his dorm ~ and friends can’t just walk in either…(where he goes to Univ.) questions…and more questions ~ Doesn’t the Hokie campus have security camera’s all over?? You’d think they’d aught to have a clear photo of this guy, if they do???
This is so horriffic ~ and overwhelmingly sad ~ God Bless those parents and again, our hearts ache for them and the students that endured this nightmare ~ they’ll all need intervention and counseling… their grief is felt by all…
But…….they are not sure if the first killing in the dorm was done by the same killer (s) as the later massacre. I doubt that even with a siren, text message, PA system, etc would help too much when a “NUT” has a gun, those bullets can go off and kill faster than communication can reach others…….UNFORTUNATELY! I think it is now the way of the world……UNFORTUNATELY! Too much violence, guns, drugs, and people not caring about anyone but themselves!
Mr. Steger ought to resign immediately and cede ANY involvement in this investigation to the FBI ASAP….that way the TRUTH will come out, not some protection minded lawsuit avoiding investigation….Honestly with the lawsuits that are going to follow, this could shut down VT and Bankrupt the State of Virginia….if I was a parent, I would DEMAND the resignation of Mr. Steger immediately….what a piss poor decision…how can you say that the gunman “was believed to have left the state?” Huh….he shoots two people in cold blood on the 4th floor of a dorm and all the sudden, he has left the state…what a joke….Attorneys, start lining up the lawsuits now.
For those that want to read how guns STOPPED a school shooter, go here:
http://www.gunowners.org/sk0302.htm
Lets all say a prayer for the parents & friends who have waited all day anxiously for contact with their loved one…going out of their mind as hour after hour ticks by with not a word.
Horrible incident. Unfortunately it has become a reality for any level of education. I understand everyone’s frustration about the campus not being shut down but hind sight is 20/20. In reality, how prepared was the university prepared for a large scale disaster? Obviously not very. Yes, things could have been done better and hopefully things will be improved because of this.
The shooter was a young Asian man and a student at the university on an F-1 student visa. A student visa is not a permanent resident visa and that means this guy did not buy those guns legally. Aliens in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa, such as an F-1 student visa, is prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm. So much for the argument that a stricter gun control law would have prevented this sort of gun violence!
http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/343354,vatech041607.article
More on who the shooter was.
Thanks for the links!
Is it true the guy has a myspace page with yep…..you guessed it….photo’s of him showing off his weapons.
One of my friend’s friends who were possibly involved in the shooting is missing.
______________
SM: I’m so sorry to hear that. What a tragic thing to happen. (klaasend)
I really do not understand the point. The point of the shooter. I study serial killers and I know he is not in that catagory….but, I do not understand why these shooters kill themselves. You would think they would want to stick around and see how much ‘damage’ they have done. I dunno……it is weird, for sure. Thoughts go to all victims and families and friends…..Jesus, this is so sad.
Thoughts on an Amber type system…
in addition to the above ~
5. Panic Buttons under professors/teachers desks
6. Dectors ~ both kinds used currently in airports ~ one puffs air & detects gunpowder/weapons ~ the other, metal at all exits/entrances ~ also x-ray detection machines w/security present ~ for backpacks, handbags, etc…
7. Tazer training/certification for proffessors ~ RA’s?
8. Self Defense training even have it a mandatory course for college students ~ prevention…
Since 9/11 our lives are now changed forever… we have to be proactive and be prepared and equipped… unfortunately, this is now all our reality, and the face of University life is changed forever, as our society is as a whole ~ we’re no longer a so called “open society”… we have to and must think differently ~ be on the offense as well as the defense and consider scenerio’s as this to avoid them in the future…and protect our kids ~ sad, but true ~ Homeland security needs a major overhaul and this should be addressed as well as campus life and public buildings, etc… we’re all vulnerable, and at risk as a country.
V-Tech is a ROTC campus ~ perhaps, the ROTC students can come up with comprehensive ideas/program for prevention ~
Again, we share our hearts to those families that have lost their loved ones in this sensless, heinous, evil act. They are all in our thoughts and prayers… (we just recieved an Alumni letter from V-Tech Alumni Assoc.)It’s all so immensely sad.
God Bless.
Scared Monkeys, et all:
From Virginia Tech ~ their recent Alumni letter we recieved email ~11:09 A.M. 4/17/07
(last paragraph)
“The Alumni Association placed a single wreath in the campus Chapel within hours of the tragedy, and the corps of Cadets has posted an honor guard with it to symbolize a university honoring those it has lost so tragically. It is but one symbol of the enormous grief that and entire campus and family of alumni around the world must bear. Many have asked how they may send financial memorials…
any memorial gifts, payable to the “Virginia Tech Foundation,” designated specifically for the
“Virginia Tech Family Fund,” should be mailed to:
University Development,
902 Prices Frok Road (0336),
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Thank you for your genuine concern and expressions of support for all of us at the university. And please keep those who lost their lives and their grieving families in your thoughts and prayers.
Tom Tillar ~ VP for Alumni Relations
more information as it unfolds continues to be posted at
http://www.vt.edu
error typo: sorry! Change address from Frok, to FORK
Memorial gifts, payable to the “Virginia Tech Foundation,”
University Development
902 Prices Fork Road, (0336)
Blacksburg, VA 24061
designed specifically for the “Virginia Tech Family Fund,”.
Thanks and God Bless…
wife of a Hokie V-Tech grad
Correction to my previous remark about this guy. He was not here on a student visa. It was being reported last night that he was in this country attending the university on a student visa and so I pointed out that persons with a nonimmigrant visa cannot legally purchase or possess a firearm. But now it is reported that he did have a permanent resident card (aka green card) and so that does make him eligible to legally purchase and possess firearms.
That needs to be revisited ~ the green card issue and it’s privilidges ~ scarey stuff…
May I also comment that our State Gov. (Mass) was/is pushing for illegal immigrants to have drivers licenses? NOT! What’s next, allow them to vote? Sure, if it gets you in office…why not! Okay, you need ID to get on a plane too… that would suffice! This gets me upset and angry even.
We’ve hosted over 55 men and women from 20 different countries in the last 21 years ~ J1 Visa’s… most of these Int’l exchange students are here with good intentions, a handfull were/are not…and abuse our lax system… the system is so dysfunctional at best and the “students” that want to abuse the system, know it all too well ~ and are well informed and rehearsed what to do, prior to coming to the U.S.A. ~ what INS Government offices that are most vulnerable in the States which ones to use and will process anything and everything that passes through their desks ~the students say that they use the busiest in our country and how to get the paper work through… there are no checks and balances and so much fraud…and most will stop at nothing to stay here… including using your address for their residence ~ all illegaly and NO one checks it. ( I know, as we were used in this way and when I tried getting through the INS office, I could not, because they don’t answer their phone(s), they are way too busy! ~ In Boston, they want everything in writing… (when I finally got through)I was so mad at them ~ called my legislators and griped BIG TIME about this! Again, I feel, there is NO homeland security ~ and we’re too wide open ~ time to revisit this… I had no idea, that someone with a green card can get a gun permit/license to purchase a gun in our country… that’s frightening… can they vote too??? (I don’t believe so).. but honestly, they can purchase a gun ~ A GUN, TWO guns, THREE guns… the whole kitten kaboodle!
Okay, how does a person behind a gun store counter know that the green card is even real or official??? what the heck! I say, that’s one for our State Legislatures to get a call on today ~ I’m doing that right after this email and voice my opinion about THAT!
It’s a privilidge to get a green card in America ~ our Government should NOT ever allow that person(s) the privilidge to purchase a weapon here ~ and give a license to kill ~ (if Bodo’s got it right, and I believe it’s true, we’re in trouble)…
WE did/do have laws against illegal immigrants and that is a joke ~ as of late ~ I have friends waiting on lists for years, doing it legaly and they can’t come to the States ~ from S. Africa, highly educated and have trades ~ maybe they aught to come through Mexico or on some slow boat through the Keys… have babies on our dime and then some.. don’t get me going and no, I am not closed minded for hard working people to come to our country and have a chance ~ do it legally ~ we need better boundaries/checks and balances and have our LAWS implimented.. it’s a joke, we’re imploding in our society ~ and our country is selling it’s soul, in more ways than one…
okay, I’ve ranted enough ~ making my calls now…
Bodo, made the calls and waiting to hear about Green card registrants being able to get weapons ~ My Federal Senator’s office is going to call me back ~ my State Rep’s office said it’s a Federal issue ~ so, I’m waiting… either way, I was able to share my past history (above) my concerns as a citizen and our need as a country to uphold our laws and be more firm and serious on Homeland Security.
I’m sickened by this tragic loss of life ~ we all are just sick in spirit and our hearts ache for those families…loosing their loved one(s)…uugghh! if we can help by making calls, ot our legislators, that IS something and voicing our outrage and concerns for the necessity of better security for our Country and stricter laws… so be it.. the problem, is the laws are NOT enforced… our local policemen’s hands are tied with illegal immigrants, they know where they are living, and their hands are tied ~ This is a BIG complex issue, but for this issue ~ the fact that this monster killed 33 people, is so outrageous and heinous, and if he got weapons on a green card… then, I’m very upset about it… so much so, I called my Federal Senator’s office… I encourage everyone to do the same and be proactive here… we do have a voice, and many voices, perhaps will get their attention ~ (sigh)… 33 were silenced ~ we have to speak out in loving memory of them…
I’ll get back on this one.
here’s the deal as Dr. Phil says…
you are a legal perminent resident holder with a green card and you can get a license to carry a weapon. A green card holder, can in fact purchase weapons.
The green card status is one step away from becoming a naturalized citizen in our country…
Thoughts on that one??
I shared with Senator Tierney’s office, that this needs to be revisited in light of this tradgedy at VTech and language needs to be changed in purchases of weapons by green card holders and interns, student visa status’ need to be readdressed with allowence of S.S. numbers, drivers licenses, et all… When you go abroad, you need an international drivers license… here, you can slip under the radar so easily ~ okay, America ~ WAKE UP!!!
Now, the rest of you, call your Federal Senators and get on this ~ and our “homeland security”… issues…
I sure in heck don’t feel safe in our country any more… we’re vulnerable and sitting ducks for more of these type of things to happen and again, have to speak up about it and our borders being tightened and stricter enforcement of existing laws on the books that are not being enforced ~ and our Gvmn’t should change the issuing of licenses, drivers licenses, gun permitting licenses to green card holders, J1,H1,H2 and have you… S.S. card issuance for temporary workers, et all and really take a look at our dysfunctional system that is so abused and broke ~ and I’m not talking $ broke.. it’s broke and needs to be fixed~! the sooner, the better for all!
Please make a donation to VTech’s memorial fund and call your legislators, State level and definately on your Federal level! My Congressman heard from me today and his secretary assured me, she’ll be calling me back again.
Now, you do the same… please… in memory of the 33 and their loved ones ~ call and donate to the memorial fund at V-Tech ~ God Bless all…
[...] a gym at his New Orleans suburb private school. The case was an attempted suicide, unlike the other school rampage shootings that have occurred [...]
[...] VIRGINIA TECH KILLINGS: Seung-Hui Cho, 23, killed two fellow students in a dormitory on April 16, then shot dead 30 [...]
[...] Virgina Tech in 2007 is the setting of the worse mass murder in United States history. The horror of that day saw 32 innocent people murdered. [...]