Virginia Tech Lockdown: Two Countries Respond

Virginia Tech, the scene of a deadly shooting spree in 2007 that killed 32 people in our home state, was locked down for several hours today because some 14 year olds reported seeing someone holding something that looked like a gun. (It is still unclear if there was a gun, and there was no gunperson found today; no one was shot.)

There was interesting coverage, and more importantly, comments, in both the Washington Post and the Globe and Mail about this story.  The Post story focused on the quick response, the possible overreaction, and the ability to carry guns EVERYWHERE in Virginia, even though VT has declared itself to be a gun-free zone.  And, of course, in the home state of the National Rifle Association, if you had your weapon with you, you'd be able to shoot the gunman.  Duh.

The Globe and Mail's article and following comments dealt more with the fascination that this continues to happen at VT, and amazement that they let people purchase guns so easily. The idea that anyone can walk up to anyone at a gun show and purchase a weapon is very foreign.  Why would you allow people to do that? Duh.

It's very interesting how two fundamental approaches to weapons could be so opposite.