History repeats itself. Monster commits mass murder in the most cowardly ways. Bomb in building, because there might have been armed police and security nearby if he had tried to kill the innocent one on one. THEN goes to an island where he knows there are no armed police OR armed citizens, and shoots helpless young people like the proverbial fish in a barrel…and surrenders as soon as armed protectors arrive, even though they’re too late to stop the horror.

Proving once again that “gun free zones” are places where only those who laugh at the law will be armed…”zones” that might better be called hunting preserves for psychopathic killers.

This never would have happened in Israel. After the Maalot Massacre of schoolchildren decades ago, Israel adopted a program wherein volunteer school personnel and adult family members of students were trained by the civil guard, and placed – discreetly armed with concealed 9mm pistols – in the schools and among the chaperones of off-campus youth activities.  Every subsequent attempt by terrorists to mass-murder children was cut short by these armed citizens.  Mass murders at schools ceased to be the terrorist strategy of choice in Israel. The same protective strategy has been employed in Peru and in the Philippines.

History shows us that evil people with weapons can only be stopped from murdering the innocent by good people with weapons.  We saw it in macrocosm in World War II. We see it in microcosm every time an armed citizen beats and armed criminal at his own game.

And, had there been even ONE armed protector on that helpless little island, we might have seen it in Norway last Friday, and the lives of countless innocent victims might have been saved.

1 COMMENT

  1. It is a shame what it takes for people to wake up to this. I hope that Norway goes the way of Israel on this one.

  2. Of course the Brady bunch will just point to this horrible act as another reason why guns should be banned in the U.S.

  4. I understand this guy Anders Breivik claims to be a Christian.
    So ~ by association, that makes me a “Terrorist”?
    Well ~ you can put a cat in the oven but that doesn’t make it a biscuit!

  5. Can’t he be given consecutive sentences for each of the people that he murderd, or do they not allow that in Norway?

  6. Guns…… America only has one of the highest gun crime rates in the developed world. But this would mean nothing I guess.

    Israel and Norway are completely different countries.
    Norway has a fraction of the crime which takes place in the states.
    But obviously you still think you have something to teach them.

  7. Mas I must admit that this was one of the points I was going to raise in the previous (but my exuberance side tracked me some what).
    Maalot resulted in a training programme that has been pretty much 100% effective. Frequently it is the grandparents of the children that volunteer for this though most woul have served in the IDF in their youth. People again might want to again flip the coin and consider the mentality of Israels neighbours. Hizbollah,Fatah and Hamas have all used schools as weapons depots, command centres and in the case of Hiz built amoured bunkers under the foundations of schools(ironically paid for with US and EU aid money). As my wife, who was born in Deir-al-Balah in the Gaza strip, would say when the muslims love their children as much as the jews do there will be peace.
    As Mas points out were a program like this in place the vast majority of these murders would have been prevented.
    I fully expect to see all anti gunners and left wing trots calling out for guns bans everywhere. Nothing like a good bit of hysteria to push through repressive legislation. At some point they will finally realise that banning something does not uninvent it.
    It is unbeliveable that he will only get 21 years and I think the Norwegian government will be forced to change the law on this one.
    BarryC I gonna have to remember that quote lol.

  9. And yet, Mas, with all they have endured, the Israelis have onerous gun laws..I have never understood this….

  10. I agree with Andrew. Also, when I saw the Norweigan army in and Oslo parade; they looked like boyscouts compared to our armed forces. Ya ve elska Norge.

  11. You know, I’m all for limiting the death penalty far beyond what, say, Texas has done. But Norway seems to have gone a bit too far in the other direction. Some dogs just need to be put down.

  13. To Edward, America does have high gun crime rates. The point that I think should be made is that America, Israel, and Norway, all have something to teach each other despite their differences. If you look at mass shootings in America they were mainly done in gun free zones. If a fanatic wants to get a gun he or she will get one illegally despite gun control laws. Though I have seen hard target shootings, the vast majority are done against soft targets. The camp in Norway was a soft target. The Virginia tech and Columbine shootings in America were also soft targets etc. The criminal that chooses a hard target usually does not surrender to police or shoot themselves. These criminals are killed by an armed defender. The cat is out of the bag. Guns are in American society to stay despite control laws. How should I as a law abiding citizen deal with this? If I want the ability to defend myself and my family then I may have to meet fire with fire and be armed myself. This is not a perfect world we live in.

  14. Concerning Mike’s comment, we always have two factions around Huntsville when there is an execution. One side wants more, the other, none. Ironically, areas near the site of executions in Texas are off limits for firearms carry.

  15. All that the Norway incident proved is that when you depend on the police to defend you within seconds, they’re only over an hour away!
    Until then, you’re on your own.

  16. Ignorance is bliss until you are kicked in the butt. All it takes for evil to prevail is good men do nothing.

  17. Mas and/or Anyone

    “Israel adopted a program wherein volunteer school personnel and adult family members of students were trained by the civil guard, and placed – discreetly armed with concealed 9mm pistols”

    I have heard of this but read very little, can you point me to some writings about the specifics of this program; requirements, process of becoming a member, common pistols / ammo use, etc.

    I am interested in knowing a bit more about the program.

    Thanks

  18. Anti-gunners live with the illusion that guns can be made to go away. I once said that if we could get rid of ALL guns, I’d give up mine. Then an unarmed citizen of a nearby town was beaten to death by a a group of five sociopaths using hands, feet & bricks. (Convicted & the max. sentence was 17 yrs for murder 2. The victim’s kids will not get their father back in 17yrs.) The deal’s off.

    Antigunners apparently are content to make counterproductive laws, clean up bodies and hold vigils. Except at the range, I prefer to have my gun holstered for my entire life and let the criminals wonder. But if threatened w/death or grievous bodily harm, I prefer to shoot.

  19. With the “dumbing down” of our nation’s future that began with the creation of the Department of Education back in the 1970’s, I’m hoping there are (still) some people that can wrap their intellects around these ideas which in part form the framework of our Constitutional Republic. When I was in elementary school in the 1950’s, we were taught the Second Amendment was to (ultimately) protect the people from tyranny in government. Boy, has the atmosphere changed! Here are a few things our forebears had to say about guns and freedom:

    “A free people ought to be armed.”
    – George Washington

    “Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples’ liberty’s teeth.”
    – George Washington

    “A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.”
    – George Washington

    “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
    – Benjamin Franklin

    “The strongest reason for people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.”
    – Thomas Jefferson

    “No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.”
    – Thomas Jefferson

    “The laws that forbid the carrying of arms are laws of such a nature. They disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes…. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.”
    – Thomas Jefferson (quoting 18th century criminologist Cesare Beccaria)

    “A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks.” – Thomas Jefferson

    “The Constitution of most of our states (and of the United States) assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed.”
    – Thomas Jefferson

    “On every occasion [of Constitutional interpretation] let us carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates, and instead of trying [to force] what meaning may be squeezed out of the text, or invented against it, [instead let us] conform to the probable one in which it was passed.”
    – Thomas Jefferson

    “Arms in the hands of citizens may be used at individual discretion in private self defense.”
    – John Adams:

    “To disarm the people is the most effectual way to enslave them.”
    – George Mason

    “I ask sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few politicians.”
    – George Mason (father of the Bill of Rights and The Virginia Declaration of Rights)

    “Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed, as they are in almost every country in Europe.”
    – Noah Webster

    “Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority … the Constitution was made to guard against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters.”
    – Noah Webster

    “The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops.”
    – Noah Webster

    “A government resting on the minority is an aristocracy, not a Republic, and could not be safe with a numerical and physical force against it, without a standing army, an enslaved press and a disarmed populace.”
    – James Madison

    “Americans have the right and advantage of being armed, unlike the people of other countries, whose leaders are afraid to trust them with arms.”
    – James Madison

    “The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country.”
    – James Madison

    “The ultimate authority resides in the people alone.”
    – James Madison

    “Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.”
    – William Pitt

    “To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.”
    – Richard Henry Lee

    “A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves … and include all men capable of bearing arms.”
    – Richard Henry Lee

    “Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined…. The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun.”
    – Patrick Henry

    I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations. – James Madison

    When governments fear the people there is liberty. When the people fear the government there is tyranny. – Thomas Jefferson

    “This may be considered as the true palladium of liberty…. The right of self defense is the first law of nature: in most governments it has been the study of rulers to confine this right within the narrowest limits possible. Wherever standing armies are kept up, and the right of the people to keep and bear arms is, under any color or pretext whatsoever, prohibited, liberty, if not already annihilated, is on the brink of destruction.”
    – St. George Tucker

    “… arms … discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property…. Horrid mischief would ensue were (the law-abiding) deprived the use of them.”
    – Thomas Paine

    “The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.”
    – Samuel Adams

    “The right of the citizens to keep and bear arms has justly been considered, as the palladium of the liberties of a republic; since it offers a strong moral check against the usurpation and arbitrary power of rulers; and will generally, even if these are successful in the first instance, enable the people to resist and triumph over them.”
    – Joseph Story

    “The ultimate authority … resides in the people alone. … The advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation … forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition.” –James Madison

    “What, Sir, is the use of a militia? It is to prevent the establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty …. Whenever Governments mean to invade the rights and liberties of the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order to raise an army upon their ruins.”
    – Rep. Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts

    ” … for it is a truth, which the experience of all ages has attested, that the people are commonly most in danger when the means of insuring their rights are in the possession of those of whom they entertain the least suspicion.”
    – Alexander Hamilton

    “But the most foolish notion of all is the belief that everything is just which is found in the customs or laws of nations. What of the many deadly, the many pestilential statutes which nations put in force? These no more deserve to be called laws than the rules a band of robbers might pass in their assembly.” Cicero, 1st Century, A.D.

  20. One can only hope Norway makes an exception for this monster. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth even giving monsters like this a trial.

    Naturally, the brady bunch will rush in condemning the ownership of firearms and how the trigger pulls the finger. Not only that, that’s why the US needs more laws and the UN Arms Trade Treaty. Cause after all more laws make us more safe.

    While it’s cynical, it’s absolutely true that gun free zones are criminal safe zones or hunting preserves for psychopaths. Although if we use the term “hunting” it’ll instantly spiral into why ALL hunters are evil.

    Wonder if we’ll ever see the gun free zones in the US disappear?

    I avoid flying, going to public K-12 schools, and the post-office for that reason. That and as Roger mentioned, TSA is horrible. I’d rather TSA see disbanded and CCWs allowed on all forms of transportation. Although, considering how some people in the US panic over the thought of guns, I can’t imagine people from other countries…

  21. ScottOhio, I don’t have that at my fingertips here unfortunately. I think there may have been more details in the op-ed piece I wrote on the topic for Wall Street Journal in 1999 right after the Columbine atrocity, and it might be in their archives. Training was done through Israel’s Mishmar Esrachi (hope I spelled that right), and a Google search for that might get you to what you’re looking for.

    best,
    Mas

  22. Swampdog,

    Tks for those great quotes…one little factoid I heard the other day about the Federal Dept of Education. I listen and enjoy the Bill Bennett show in the morning. He was Secy of the Dept of Ed during the Reagan years. So I believe his numbers are good … He said that in the 30 years the Dept of Ed has been around, they have spent 2.6 TRILLION dollars. For this unbelievable sum, “NOT ONE SINGLE MEASURABLE EDUCATION PARAMETER HAS CHANGED”. Just pissing our money away and nobody gives a damn in Washington.

  23. Mas:

    I must reply to Edward, and his comment that the US has the highest gun crime rate in the industrialized world.

    This is a straw man argument – in a society with more guns, it is likely there will be more gun crime – you must have a widget in order to commit a crime with it. As an example look at the rate of auto accidents in old Communist Russia- before automobiles were common, there were relatively few auto accidents.

    This does NOT suggest that crooks are deterred from crime or criminal activity without legal access to firearms. Criminals are in the crime business, and will get the guns they need for business, no matter what. So will terrorists. The idea that “banning ” guns protects society is exactly like the idea that “banning” murder will “prevent murder”. That is silly to the extreme, but that is the position that people like Edward, perhaps unwittingly, espouse.

    Last, lets look at the violent crime rate in the UK, using guns and otherwise. Britain has draconian gun laws- but they have the highest violent crime rate in Europe and the still have mass shootings and other types of gun armed crime. The only people that the Parliament has disarmed is the law-abiding. The thugs still have guns and knives and impact weapons, and are willing to use them.

    I guess that’s why they are called ” subjects”.

    And, inclosing- see how well Norway’s gun control laws work.
    The only defense against armed mayhem is an armed, aware citizenry. Until we acknowledge this, mass shootings in ” un-armed victim” zones will continue to occur, because the pathology of criminal conduct and real evil isn’t limited to one country or culture.

    Regards

    GKT

  24. Continued failure is certain:

    Together we will punish the killer. Our punishment will be more generosity, more tolerance and more democracy.

    and another

    I don’t think security can solve problems. We need to teach greater respect.
    ~ Fabian Stang, Mayor of Oslo

    Somehow they think staying unprotected is a good idea and 600 count linens, lobster rolls for lunch and a nice Chianti with his steak dinners will ‘punish him’.

    Sheesh.

  26. A sign proclaiming “Gun-Free Zone” works as well
    as the Magic White Paint at a crosswalk does.

  27. Mas,
    Thanks for your time and for pointing me in the tight direction. After some searching, I located the your Wall Street Journal article. Good read. A Google search for “Israeli Civil Guard” took care of the rest. Again I thank you for this and all you do!

  29. Mas,

    I apologize for adding this here, but do not see another means of contacting you.

    Unless you are involved in this case in some way, can you comment on this video of a CCW citizen involved in a situation where the officer prohibits him from speaking, yet Ohio law requires that he notify the officer that he is carrying?

    http://www.usacarry.com/shocking-video-of-failure-to-notify-in-ohio/

    I’d like your perspective. It certainly looks as though these officers made mistakes. What else could the citizen have done? What can any of us do, if such a situation occurs?

  30. Jim, it is off-topic, but apology is appreciated. CCW couldn’t have done much more than he did; department is taking it seriously and involved officer is being thoroughly investigated over the incident and has been taken off the street.

  33. Well NY Rep. McCarthy is spewing sewage.

    It’s the US’s fault for the Norway incident and if she could just pass her high-cap magazine ban the WHOLE WORLD would be safer.

    Why not blame Norway’s government for denying their citizens the ability to defend themselves?

    Source:
    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43933511/ns/politics-more_politics/

    Politicians are bean counters (or in some cases peanut counters) and they all know two things. All beans look the same and you can always get more beans. Sad but I think true…

  34. Guns, knives, etc. are merely tools, not morally inclined to act one way or another. How they get used depends on the user’s sense of morality. Perhaps if one were to compare the culture of morality between Norway and the US, they would see an explanation for the differences in violence, crimes, etc.

  35. Mas,
    The canton incident was perpetrated by an officer that has a history of losing his temper and threatening to shoot people in the head. Here is a previous video of the same officer doing the same thing. Please comment on how such “officers of the law” are allowed to continue in their profession after such actions? If I did anything remotely close to these actions at my place of employment I would be fired immediately. Aren’t police officers supposed to be held to a higher standard due to their position of authority and power?

    Video contains more Harless profanity and threats, make sure no children aren’t in the room:

    http://www.cantonrep.com/topstories/x2014919089/Video-Officer-Harless-loses-his-temper-on-another-arrest

  36. […] Ayoob, a rock star amongst firearms trainers and experts, wrote a short and to-the-point post on the situation. The take-away quote about the Norway […]

  37. David, I’ll be happy to discuss your latest post, but as I said after your earlier one, I’ll need you to put it in one of the more appropriate blog discussions here. “Everything in its place” and all. After one of the more rabid cop-haters poisoned an Independence Day thread with his anti-police rants (not that I’m accusing you of that) I concluded it was best to keep discussion threads on topic.

    Cordially,
    Mas

  38. “We saw it in macrocosm in World War II. ”

    I beg to disagree. The bad men, Hitler and Mussolini, were beaten by the bad men, Stalin and Roosevelt.

    Stalin killed more innocent people than Hitler and Mussolini combined. Roosevelt thought Stalin was such a great guy that he gave him control of a huge swath of Europe dooming more people to die than were killed by Mussolini (and FDR also put all the Japanese in concentration camps amongst many other terrible things, including stealing all of America’s gold).

    The goodness that comes from good guys with guns doesn’t scale up.

  39. though i agree with massad’s assessment completely–it is worthy of note the “victims” were the children of anti-gun liberals at a political indoctrination camp. i think logic trumps irony on this sick deal.

  40. Sorry to be so late to comment, but at the youth camp the murderer was ounumbered by his potential victims over a hundred to one. What saddens and disgusts me even more than the absense of even one effective armed protector was that NOBODY fought back at all. Sheer numbers and the will to use improvised weapons could have saved many lives that day, but running, cowering, and begging was all those people could think of to do.

    Didn’t work too well, did it?