No law can stop an individual determined to do evil. Sunday's shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival that left three dead, including a 6-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl, and wounding at least 15, was committed by a deranged teenager who bypassed security and wielded an AK-47-pattern rifle. [Restricted Arms does not publish the names of mass-shooters to deny them the notoriety they so often seek.]
The Garlic Festival is a gun-free zone with a security cordon, including the use of metal-detecting wands, that must be traversed before going into the site. According to police, the shooter cut through a fence to avoid the security.
Once he began shooting, he was confronted and killed within a minute by police officers on the scene.
Impotent Gun Control Laws
According to police, the shooter purchased his firearm legally in Nevada. For this to have happened, he must have passed a background check, and he would've had to have established residency in Nevada for the purchase to go through.
California has the toughest gun control laws in the nation, but they could not stop a determined evildoer. It was a violation of California laws for him to bring this gun into the state. The standard magazine sold with AK-47-pattern rifles is 30 rounds, which is also illegal to bring into California.
None of these laws stopped the murderer.
Gun Control Advocates Tout Tougher Gun Laws
The fact that California has the toughest gun laws in the nation didn't stop gun control advocates pushing for tougher gun laws, which wouldn't have done squat to prevent Sunday's attack.
The shooting in Gilroy, California, should be a wake-up call to anyone still on the sidelines. Gun violence in America is political because too many lawmakers allow gun lobbyists to write our nation’s gun laws.
In honor of the victims and survivors: ACT. Text ACT to 644-33. pic.twitter.com/CRPfygGfp1
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) July 29, 2019
The shooting in Gilroy, California, should be a wake-up call to anyone still on the sidelines. Gun violence in America is political because too many lawmakers allow gun lobbyists to write our nation’s gun laws.
In honor of the victims and survivors: ACT. Text ACT to 644-33. pic.twitter.com/CRPfygGfp1
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) July 29, 2019
And, of course, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi continues to push laws that wouldn't have done anything.
“This brutal killing targeting children and families enjoying a day of community breaks the heart of America. We thank the heroic first responders who provided aid and support to those in need, and we send our prayers to all who are mourning the lives that were cruelly cut short by this shocking attack.
“Enough is enough. Congress has a responsibility to every family torn apart by gun violence to act, and help advance a future that is finally free from this senseless violence. Every day the Senate refuses to act is a stain on the conscience of our nation.
“May it bring some measure of comfort to the friends and loved ones of those whose lives were cut short that all of America mourns with and prays for them during this sad time."
Failed presidential candidate Eric "Duke Nukem" Swalwell:
“My heart breaks for all of our Bay Area neighbors who attended the Gilroy Garlic Festival. We need gun reform and we need it now. Enough is enough.”
It could've been worse
Sunday's shooting could've been much worse. It occurred in a gun-free zone which means that concealed carry permit-holders would've been unable to respond to the shooting.
Luckily, there was a strong police presence and they were able to respond quickly. Their ability to put down the killer, who was wielding a rifle, with mere handguns also puts the lie to claims by anti-gun zealots that handguns are insufficient to stop rifles.
