Those in Arizona are all too familiar with Russell Pearce for using his position as former Arizona State Senator to push for the ill-conceived immigration bill, Arizona SB 1070. Happily, he was recalled in a special election and sent packing back to the cave he crawled out of.
But hes making news again by blaming the victims of the Aurora, Colorado shootings for the crimes perpetrated against them.
Thats right. The shootings were the victims fault. According to Pearce, “Had someone been prepared and armed they could have stopped this “bad” man from most of this tragedy. He was two and three feet away from folks, I understand he had to stop and reload.
Keep in mind that this is coming from a man who has long fought for expanded gun rights, including the right to carry concealed guns into bars and onto college campus. It’s because of people like Pearce that assault rifles, handguns and high-capacity magazines are so readily available to potential killers like Jared Loughner and James Holmes.
Arming every single citizen in the US will not help prevent incidents such as that in Colorado.
After every mass killing, those who were victimized or witnessed the event say that it happened in such a flash that they didnt have time to react. Indeed, following the Tucson shooting of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, the one person who drew his weapon nearly shot those who disarmed the shooter.
One wonders how Pearce would react in a similar situation, even if armed. Im betting hed dive for cover behind the women and children in front of him.