DoomGoober
Regular Member
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2010
- Messages
- 63
My heart goes out to everyone in Carson City. But I have to ask: If you were the armed citizen, Ralph Swagler, who saw the man with the AK going into the IHOP, what would you have done?
From what I understand:
1) Swagler saw Senicon carrying the rifle.
2) Senicon fired on a woman outside the restaurant.
3) Swagler warned another woman who was heading towards the gunman.
4) Senicon entered the IHOP and began firing.
There are some things to consider:
1) The confusion of the situation. At some point, Swagler must have realized Senicon was an active shooter, as he warned the other woman.
2) The distances involved. Swagler was at a different location than where the shooter was. We don't know the distance of any shots he would have taken.
3) Rifle versus Pistol. Swagler was armed only with a pistol. Senicon had a rifle.
4) Personal safety/safety of those nearby. Swagler was relatively safe, locked into his own restaurant with some other people. Firing on the gunman may have attracted his attention in his direction.
Anyway, my heart goes out to Swagler, too. He will live with regret the rest of his life that he didn't fire -- even if that regret is completely unjustified. Sometimes, it almost feels like NOT carrying is the easier decision.
I don't in anyway at all mean this thread to be an indictment of Swagler's actions -- rather, I'm just thinking "what would I do?" in case, God forbid, I find myself in a similar situation.
From what I understand:
1) Swagler saw Senicon carrying the rifle.
2) Senicon fired on a woman outside the restaurant.
3) Swagler warned another woman who was heading towards the gunman.
4) Senicon entered the IHOP and began firing.
There are some things to consider:
1) The confusion of the situation. At some point, Swagler must have realized Senicon was an active shooter, as he warned the other woman.
2) The distances involved. Swagler was at a different location than where the shooter was. We don't know the distance of any shots he would have taken.
3) Rifle versus Pistol. Swagler was armed only with a pistol. Senicon had a rifle.
4) Personal safety/safety of those nearby. Swagler was relatively safe, locked into his own restaurant with some other people. Firing on the gunman may have attracted his attention in his direction.
Anyway, my heart goes out to Swagler, too. He will live with regret the rest of his life that he didn't fire -- even if that regret is completely unjustified. Sometimes, it almost feels like NOT carrying is the easier decision.
I don't in anyway at all mean this thread to be an indictment of Swagler's actions -- rather, I'm just thinking "what would I do?" in case, God forbid, I find myself in a similar situation.
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