"...it's worth it."

I haven't said much about the Omaha mall shooting, either, but I agree completely with Glenn. No more "gun-free" zones. I, too, would like to see some lawsuits against those who (pathetically) attempt to establish them.

Because they're a chimera, and a fantasy, and only enable the murderers and muckers.

[Friday update]

Scott Ott (in an uncharacteristically unfunny piece) has an alternate history:

As the would-be famous mass killer raised the rifle to his shoulder, the unnamed shopper commanded him to stop. Mr. Hawkins turned the muzzle of the AK-47 toward the commanding voice, a single shot rang out and Mr. Hawkins staggered, dropped his weapon and fell against the railing.

By this time, two other shoppers were aiming their pistols at Mr. Hawkins — a young, single woman pulled a .40 caliber Glock 27 from her purse, and a retired farmer drew his 9mm Ruger SR9 (an early Christmas gift from his wife). Together with the first man they moved in to separate Mr. Hawkins from his gun, search him for other weapons and restrain him until law enforcement arrived.

You know, there used to be an agreement among the press not to publicize the name of a rape victim, to spare her the embarrassment. Why not do the same thing for these people? There should be some way to shame them into not reporting this the way they do. The public doesn't have a need to know the names of these would-be fame seekers.

Ah, John Brunner, author of my all-time favorite SF book, _Stand On Zanzibar_.

I'd also like to see a little less news coverage on these events, especially when suicide notes start mentioning that the notoriety is what the person was looking for.

It might sound cruel but I'd like to see less understanding of the murderers in these cases and a bit more ridicule. I know it's tough on the families but I want future crazy kids to avoid this course and I think mocking has as good a chance as any.

Nebraska's CCW is fairly new. But I bet permit requests sky rocket. However, like most places, the idiots who run the mall will still post signs prohibiting carrying in the mall.

This week, for the fourth time in the last 12 months, we’ve had a graphic example of what happens when someone decides to take a firearm into a mall (a self-declared “gun free zone” no less) and start shooting at unarmed people. In a matter of moments, one loser killed 8 innocent people and seriously wounded 5 others.

This loser left a note that ended with his desire to be famous. Perhaps that’s part of the problem. Commit some heinous crime and you can be as famous as someone who cures a disease.

You know how TV coverage always cuts away when some idiot runs onto the field at a sporting event? They don’t want to encourage copycat behavior. While security chases down the fool, the commentators ridicule him. Why can’t we do the same thing to losers like the one that shot up the mall in Nebraska? If we mention his name at all, preface it with “the loser” or something worse. Let him become famous for being a loser and a murderer. Maybe, just maybe that would discourage a few would be copycats who also want to be famous.

Let him become famous for being a loser and a murderer. Maybe, just maybe that would discourage a few would be copycats who also want to be famous.

He IS famous for being a loser and a murderer. I doubt the kid had some fantasy that he would be remembered as a "hero" or for having done something good/positive. He just wanted to be famous; being infamous was likely OK with him too.

He IS famous for being a loser and a murderer. I doubt the kid had some fantasy that he would be remembered as a "hero" or for having done something good/positive. He just wanted to be famous; being infamous was likely OK with him too.

I've heard of several copycats and would-be copycats who wanted to be famous like Harris and Clebold (of Columbine fame). I've yet to hear any reporter or commentator call this latest guy a loser. Call it like it is. Say the words. Don't assume everyone will automatically make the association. Trash the guy at every opportunity and let it be known that anyone else who tries this will likewise be trashed.

The media make these attacks attractive to some people by guaranteeing substantial press coverage to the perpetrators. This is terribly irresponsible. They should treat such crimes in exactly the same way as they treat fans who run onto the ball field -- there should be no public attention paid to the perpetrator; his name shouldn't be mentioned publicly, ever. The media publicize these crimes because doing so draws viewers and advertising. How about using the Internet to organize boycotts of companies that advertise on TV shows that dwell on these attacks?

This a classic media racket: profiting from sex/scandal/crime while ginning up public anger against scapegoats whom the media accuse of profiting from sex/scandal/crime.

I have heard a number of radio personalities here make disparaging remarks about the loser. Within minutes someone calls in to defend/help us understand the troubled youth. It is correct that he probably doesn’t mind infamy, if the alternative is obscurity. I’m sure Oswald felt the same way. When it comes to CCW I’m guessing the loser didn’t have one. I would be glad to, shop for life, for the person that violates the mall policy, and is banned in the process of putting down the next loser.

He IS famous for being a loser and a murderer. I doubt the kid had some fantasy that he would be remembered as a "hero" or for having done something good/positive. He just wanted to be famous; being infamous was likely OK with him too.

Since Andy presented the opportunity... I agree with Andy on this. Calling the guy a loser or murderer means nothing to the loser or murderer. I don't think the sport caster ridicule means that much to a person streaking on a field either.

Larry, I hear you on the over coverage of the topic. Certainly, the VTech killer got far more coverage than his victims. But people who act like this guy in Omaha already feel like they've been called loser enough. They consider themselves at the bottom with no where else to go but into the record books. Calling them a loser simply justifies the next action in their mind.