U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)- The tragic church shooting Sunday in White Settlement, Texas in which church members fatally shot the gunman provides more evidence that good guys with guns are necessary to stop bad guys, and that armed citizens can protect soft targets, the Second Amendment Foundation said today.
“This horrible shooting was live streamed, and shows how the killer was taken down within a few seconds of firing the first shot,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “If one pays attention to the video, it appears that at least six and possibly seven members of the congregation drew sidearms to defend their fellow church members, and at least one member identified in published reports as part of the church security team fired a shot that took the gunman down.”
Gottlieb, co-author of the book, “Good Guys With Guns,” expressed sorrow that two members of the congregation were killed.
“Regrettably,” he stated, “there were casualties among the churchgoers, but in the flash of seconds, it is obvious that many more lives were saved by the quick action of a church member who was fortunately armed as a member of the church security team. Had it not been for his quick action and accurate shooting, this could have been much, much worse.”
Texas law allows churchgoers to be armed, a fact Gottlieb cited as crucial to saving lives.
“The fact that so many other church members were also armed, and did not open fire, demonstrates how responsibly armed citizens can perform in an emergency,” Gottlieb observed. “The video belies the oft-repeated myth that armed citizens are irresponsible and even dangerous to one another, which is something we address in ‘Good Guys With Guns’.”
“We don’t know what motivates someone to open fire on a peaceful church congregation,” Gottlieb said. “But thanks to the video, we know what stops them.”
About the Second Amendment Foundation
The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 650,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control.
Don’t mean to be morbid nor insensitive, but any idea what firearm and caliber Mr Wilson was using?
a church member who was fortunately armed as a member of the church security team. from what I’ve read about this man, he was armed at church long before any organised security team was formed at that place. He is likely armed EVERYWHERE he goes. And ready to do as needed to save lives. It would be more accurate to say “he was armed, AND also a member of the church security team”. Otherwise spot on article. Questionis HOW do we get articles like this, and the others I’ve seen from this perspective, on to the national media for the… Read more »
Pulling a gun on someone without very strong probable cause will get you charged with brandishing and shooting them will get you charged with murder. Even in Texas you will probably be convicted. They can meet threat at the door if they’re there, but remember team members are there for worship and security is just a side consideration. Once you start excluding people from your church, where do you stop? Churches tend to be open welcoming organizations and continuously recruiting. This guy certainly seems like a perfect candidate for exclusion- but also a perfect subject for application of the bleeding… Read more »
In January of 2017, a hispanic man, collected his baggage at the baggage carousel at Ft. Lauderdale airport. He opened his luggage, took out a handgun and started shooting people. If you recall, NO ONE RAN! They all got down on their knees and put their faces to the carpet. The hispanic man walked around shooting the sheep. You see some of that here: Shots are fired and half the parishioners are frozen in place, sitting upright. You can hear some female screaming in sheer terror, totally out of control with fear, continually screaming until well after it is all… Read more »