OR - Emilio Hoffman, 14, killed in Troutdale high school shooting, 10 June 2014

[cady]

Why does anyone feel compelled to own an assault rifle? The very fact that it is owned by someone in a home speaks for itself! Fear of powerlessness and clearly a willingness to kill another person or persons. Affiliation with any number of hate groups will suffice to feed the paranoia and the fictitious "others" become the prey. We are not the only one, but we are a very sick culture. JMO

 

[Spice]

Why does anyone feel compelled to own an assault rifle? The very fact that it is owned by someone in a home speaks for itself! Fear of powerlessness and clearly a willingness to kill another person or persons. Affiliation with any number of hate groups will suffice to feed the paranoia and the fictitious "others" become the prey. We are not the only one, but we are a very sick culture. JMO

Thank you. Post of the year.

 

[Sonya610]

Why does anyone feel compelled to own an assault rifle? The very fact that it is owned by someone in a home speaks for itself!

I just answered that question on the gun control thread (a poster asked why that style rifle as opposed to other styles of rifle).

As far as rifles go there are a lot of benefits....my previous response reposted:

A lot of folks buy them because they can hold 30 round clips (in some states). In addition they are very customizable and reliable! They were made to be dropped, dragged through the mud, subjected to all sorts of abuse yet still function reliably.

The design was "inspired" by military weapons that were sold extensively around the world. That provides another interesting advantage especially for women.

Child soldiers (boys of 12-13) are common in many parts of the world therefore the rifles were designed to accommodate those smaller, less experienced individuals. They are fairly light weight with light recoil, they have adjustable stocks, simple functionality, and can be easily field stripped, etc... The features that made them user friendly for 12 year old soldiers also make them very user friendly for adult females.

Also the classic wood trimmed hunting files may have more power per round but that also means they often kick a lot harder, hold fewer rounds, and aren't nearly as customizable, you can't adjust the stock and you are very limited when it comes to the accessories that could be added (lights, lasers, extra grips, etc...). They are also a lot slower to reload.

 

[Spice]

Some interesting observations about Jared from people that knew him from the article Time posted earlier:

"In middle school, he was a large gun enthusiast and had aspirations of joining the military just like his brother.

"He really was a good kid and I wouldn't have any idea it was him without being told

"I didn't expect him to be somebody that could do that", Garcia said.

Garcia said Padgett liked guns. One time he offered to sell Padgett an air gun but Padgett's father said no.

Garcia never saw Padgett angry though one time, earlier in the year, someone annoyed Padgett by teasing him about his ROTC uniform.

He also seemed most engaged when talking about guns, Ensign said, adding that he would talk about hunting rabbits and could talk in detail about firearms.

"It was insane how much he knew," she said. "He would say all the types of guns and could name anything."

Ensign said there were occasions when Jared Padgett lost his temper. She recalled an incident in the past week or so when students disputed parts of the language arts-class presentation he gave on a book he read.

"He got really uptight over it and started raising his voice," she said, adding that "he felt as if they were facts."

(Some people disagreed with his class presentation)

On his Facebook page, Jared Padgett listed 14 apps and games he favored, including the "first-person shooter survival horror" game Area 51 and the apocalyptic adventure game Prototype, as well as the military-themed games Halo 4 and Call of Duty.

He also "liked"the Benchmade Knife Co., the Karambit Tactical Knives Co. and the Remington Arms Co., as well as a U.S. Military page and an M4 assault rifles page.

He said they are "a nice hard-working family" and feels sorry for them, as well as the families of the shooting victims. They are nice people, he said, and never cause any trouble.

(A Neighbor Re The Family)

"We have this thing where we had to learn how to fold the American flag correctly and I was in his group. He would get really irritated if we messed up," said Guzman, adding that Padgett showed up with his own Army combat uniform before they were handed out in class.

(His preference for order)

During the first semester, JROTC students were required to wear either the combat uniform or a dress uniform on Wednesdays, Guzman said. But Padgett, he said, often wore his every day of the week.

(Interesting)

"He seemed normal, but you had to be careful what you talked about with him, you had to be respectful," Guzman said. "He just kind of seemed like he had strict parents. He had to keep decent grades. It seemed like he felt out of place or awkward about certain topics, like partying or like girls."

He was the youngest of five children. Court records show that his mother filed for divorce in 2010. Michael Padgett was given full custody of Jared.

http://www.oregonlive.com/gresham/index.ssf/2014/06/oregon_school_shooting_gunman.html

 

[Dogface]

Part of the reason I own an assault rifle, is after being attacked right after I graduated high school by a boy I dated my freshman year. He still stalks me, and I'm 28. Better believe if I ever saw him standing in my house again I wouldn't hesitate to shoot him where he stood. I'm lucky I don't have scars from the beating he gave me. At 5'1" and 115lbs to his 6'3" 230lbs, everything I learned about hand to hand fighting was basically pointless. And I would want more than the 2-3 chances I have with a shotgun. Especially because of whom he may have with him. Plus, I like to use my shotguns for clay shooting and would hate to have a bad association with any of them since I have spent $300 a gun getting them fitted to me. I live in a very nice neighborhood, and home invasions have happened. Chances are I would use one of my handguns simply bc we have them in safes in various places in the house that I could quickly get to, which literally take seconds to open with a fingerprint, but if I had the chance, my bushmaster would be what I would want to have in my hands.

I would rather have something and never need to use it, than need it and not have it. Much like a spare tire.

However, what can we do as parents, adults, caregivers to prevent these things from happening? It's not about the gun. The boy in PA showed what damage could be done with a knife. The problem isn't the weapons, it's the people. We need to take a deep look at the root of the problem. The ability to hurt people on a massive scale is there for all. What do we do to stop people from seeing that as an option in the first place?

 

[Dogface]

And my first line of defense is a home alarm system, and my second is my Doberman who is trained to alert, and only attack if someone reaches me or of I gave a command. But if someone was going to hurt him I would drop them just as quickly as I would if they were harming a human. I wouldn't go out hunting in my house for an intruder, but once I secured my daughter in a room if my dog was alerting or an alarm sounding, I would secure a spot outside of that room and I promise no one would get past my dog and I. I would verbalize that they need to leave immediately, but if they proceeded, they would meet a real "momma bear".

 

[Sonya610]

And my first line of defense is a home alarm system, and my second is my Doberman who is trained to alert, and only attack if someone reaches me or of I gave a command. But if someone was going to hurt him I would drop them just as quickly as I would if they were harming a human.

Please be aware of the risks when you have both a monitored home alarm AND large dogs (even not so large dogs). Every year many dogs are shot to death due to a false alarm that summons the authorities.

I have large dogs too and would never have a monitored alarm for that reason (not that I would really need one). Too dangerous, cops are far to quick to open fire on pets these days.

 

[human]

[modsnip]

One thing that I have to say is that often times adults and loved ones share too much with children, no matter how mature a kid seems they are still a child and too often parents divulge too much of heavy matters on them. From financial issues, divorce, relationship stuff, etc. Families of war vets suffer emotionally, and when their soldier comes home they hear horrific stories that are traumatizing to them. Also, resenting a president when your loved one is in harms way, even though it is the job they signed up for, I think is almost a natural feeling. I don't think kids feel safe, I think they feel exposed, and are unsure of what to do. They feel alone. They feel fear. Fear is a very motivating factor for some to succeed and for others it's a de motivating factor to wallow in their doubts and never move past them. I'm not sure that's the case here, but I see to too often during a divorce that children know to much, and are being asked to deal with adult issues.
(Taking off my psychologist hat now, putting on my mommy hat)

One of the things that is important to me as a mother is to teach my daughter how to cope, but to teach her how to cope with kid issues. And when she is older I wish to teach her how to apply those coping skills to adult problems. But, IMO, you can't teach them how to cope properly by giving them issues that are so far beyond their skill set. IMO, MOO and all that jazz.

Unfortunately, kids don't get to choose their issues. Divorce, substance abuse by parents, sexual abuse, domestic violence, murder, death, severe illness, etc etc etc.

I absolutely 100% believe a huge answer is teaching problem solving and coping skills. How to deal with the huge holes in one's heart ( emotional) , the fears, the other issues are at the root of the rage that gets expressed in a way that we all get to share in it-- mass murder

 

[Dogface]

Please be aware of the risks when you have both a monitored home alarm AND large dogs (even not so large dogs). Every year many dogs are shot to death due to a false alarm that summons the authorities.

I have large dogs too and would never have a monitored alarm for that reason (not that I would really need one). Too dangerous, cops are far to quick to open fire on pets these days.

Oh yeah my dog alerts, barks, and comes to me and sits facing the direction he believes the threat is coming from. Now if I issued a command, or someone physically attacking me, he would be unstoppable without a command. That was the hardest part of training teaching him to be on alert, and not attack if I'm simply approached, or if I am touched in a non aggressive manor. I made sure to put the time in to make sure his training is spot on, and we brush up on it several times a year to keep it fresh. But I agree, big dogs pose a risk and have to unfortunately be considered a threat. With that said, my dog is currently on the couch with my little one eating teddy Graham's...not sure what would happen if someone had the nerve to interrupt his mid morning snack session lol.

 

[bettybaby00]

Oh yeah my dog alerts, barks, and comes to me and sits facing the direction he believes the threat is coming from. Now if I issued a command, or someone physically attacking me, he would be unstoppable without a command. That was the hardest part of training teaching him to be on alert, and not attack if I'm simply approached, or if I am touched in a non aggressive manor. I made sure to put the time in to make sure his training is spot on, and we brush up on it several times a year to keep it fresh. But I agree, big dogs pose a risk and have to unfortunately be considered a threat. With that said, my dog is currently on the couch with my little one eating teddy Graham's...not sure what would happen if someone had the nerve to interrupt his mid morning snack session lol.

:floorlaugh: my dog would go crazy if someone ever broke into my house, but I can totally relate to the BBM!

 

[Dogface]

He loves his little snack buddy! Sometimes I test him and tell him to go parole while he is enjoying a snack with my little one and if looks could kill I wouldn't be here to post anymore lol. I do it sometimes to simply make her pay attention and eat instead of giving it all to the "Lu-dah" as she calls him(his name is Lucious but we call him Lu Dog).

 

[Dogface]

I should also add that one officer in our area, who helped me train him, does know his commands as well.

 

[Dogface]

Unfortunately, kids don't get to choose their issues. Divorce, substance abuse by parents, sexual abuse, domestic violence, murder, death, severe illness, etc etc etc.

I absolutely 100% believe a huge answer is teaching problem solving and coping skills. How to deal with the huge holes in one's heart ( emotional) , the fears, the other issues are at the root of the rage that gets expressed in a way that we all get to share in it-- mass murder

Yeah, but I think often times parents over share...which has kids coping with even more than they should. I truly believe that is a key to having a healthy society...teaching people that no matter what they are faced with they can cope with it all.

After I was attacked, literally beaten to a pulp, I struggled to cope afterwards, went to therapy, and learned a lot about how I really didn't know how to cope with certain things. Now, in retrospect, the first time my ex put his hands on me, I should have coped with it better and taken more action than breaking his nose fighting back. I thought that was enough to make him go away. I just internalized what happened, didn't realize how to cope and come clean with what happened, didn't tell anyone or press charges, and 3 years later came home to him waiting for me. If I hadn't learned to cope I would probably be living in fear and failing to thrive.

 

[Spice]

I just answered that question on the gun control thread (a poster asked why that style rifle as opposed to other styles of rifle).

As far as rifles go there are a lot of benefits....my previous response reposted:

A lot of folks buy them because they can hold 30 round clips (in some states). In addition they are very customizable and reliable! They were made to be dropped, dragged through the mud, subjected to all sorts of abuse yet still function reliably.

The design was "inspired" by military weapons that were sold extensively around the world. That provides another interesting advantage especially for women.

Child soldiers (boys of 12-13) are common in many parts of the world therefore the rifles were designed to accommodate those smaller, less experienced individuals. They are fairly light weight with light recoil, they have adjustable stocks, simple functionality, and can be easily field stripped, etc... The features that made them user friendly for 12 year old soldiers also make them very user friendly for adult females.

Also the classic wood trimmed hunting files may have more power per round but that also means they often kick a lot harder, hold fewer rounds, and aren't nearly as customizable, you can't adjust the stock and you are very limited when it comes to the accessories that could be added (lights, lasers, extra grips, etc...). They are also a lot slower to reload.

LAX, Lanza, Holmes, Padgett, and Cho.

Stunning.

 

[Dogface]

Um. I am disturbed by every single thing I bolded here and more.

Lanza, Holmes, Padgett, and Cho.

Stunning.

You realize that any number of things could be used to hurt that number of people? I mean a crazed teen in a car after school lets out could literally kill so many kids. Anyone can google how to make a bomb. The gun is the scapegoat to the issue because I promise you if every gun magically disappeared, those with a maniacal mission would find a way to carry it out.

The same things that make those guns ideal for a young person to use make it ideal for me as a petite woman to use. I was beaten half to death by a boy I dated my freshman year in highschool when I was 18 and now the preppy, cute and popular boy I dated is now a gang affiliated drug dealer, and my right eye is still asymmetric from my occipital bone being crushed. Seven months ago I walked out of the mall with my daughter to find a note on my car from him. Even with a RO the note isn't sufficient evidence to arrest him.

The thought of him and his goons being in my home convinces me there is no clip with enough bullets for me to own and no gun can unload them fast enough.

 

[Dogface]

But once again, we digress IMO. The problem is not access to weapons, it's people and kids wanting to harm people. THAT is not normal. THAT has to be fixed.

 

[LaborDayRN]

Jennifer Hoffman, the mother of the victim, said Emilio loved his friends and sports, especially soccer. He had a sister and three brothers, along with a number of foster siblings he had grown up with.

She says he enjoyed science and history, but soccer was his whole life.

She urged his friends to "be happy like Emilio. Smile like him. Laugh like him."

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/06/12/4173278/suspects-friends-puzzle-over-oregon.html#storylink=cpy

 

[Spice]

I was beaten half to death by a boy I dated my freshman year in highschool when I was 18 and now the preppy, cute and popular boy I dated is now a gang affiliated drug dealer, and my right eye is still asymmetric from my occipital bone being crushed. Seven months ago I walked out of the mall with my daughter to find a note on my car from him. Even with a RO the note isn't sufficient evidence to arrest him.

Everthing else aside, I am so very sorry that this happened to you, and reading it makes my heart hurt and it makes me so angry.

Violence against women in an issue that I am very passionate about and it is real and epidemic.

No woman should ever have to experience this kind of brutality and no offender should be walking the streets, especially when they are still bold enough to make contact.

I'm sorry. It's horrific.

 

[Dogface]

Everthing else aside, I am so very sorry that this happened to you, and reading it makes my heart hurt and it makes me so angry.

Violence against women in an issue that I am very passionate about and it is real and epidemic.

No woman should ever have to experience this kind of brutality and no offender should be walking the streets, especially when they are still bold enough to make contact.

I'm sorry. It's horrific.

Thank you for your kind words. It was a horrific experience, I went through a lot of emotions on my way to physically and emotionally healing. I am not even done healing, I may never be. Fortunately, bitterness and anger were fleeting. Regardless of our sides on gun control, I think we all agree violence in our society has no place. I just truly wish there was an "easy" button we could press to make people compassionate, caring, to heal their hurt, to make them know they are not alone. I think we have gone off track today, because we discussed guns so much, and I have shared a lot of personal stuff on it. At the heart of the issue we just simply have to find a way to stop whatever paths of thoughts these people are having that lead them to rampaging. This case shocks me because he truly seemed to have a sense of belonging and purpose.

 

[Spice]

Thank you for your kind words. It was a horrific experience, I went through a lot of emotions on my way to physically and emotionally healing. I am not even done healing, I may never be. Fortunately, bitterness and anger were fleeting. Regardless of our sides on gun control, I think we all agree violence in our society has no place. I just truly wish there was an "easy" button we could press to make people compassionate, caring, to heal their hurt, to make them know they are not alone. I think we have gone off track today, because we discussed guns so much, and I have shared a lot of personal stuff on it. At the heart of the issue we just simply have to find a way to stop whatever paths of thoughts these people are having that lead them to rampaging. This case shocks me because he truly seemed to have a sense of belonging and purpose.

All the power to you Dogface. I'm sending positive thoughts of strength and healing out to you. But I have no doubt that you are resilient . That still does not take away the injustice and violence that you went through. I hope he pays for it every single day karmically.

Godspeed.