Now gratefully back in warm weather after freezing my butt off in flooded Chicagoland for a week, I think it’s a good time to reflect on lessons learned from five horrifying days in Boston. I spent that week at the annual conference of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association. It was there, as I mentioned in my last entry, that applause spontaneously broke out when it was announced that the useless Universal Background Check had failed in the Senate. ILEETA’s 700-plus attendees train cops for the streets, instead of sitting in white shirts behind mahogany desks, and they know the reality. Maybe that’s why NRA always has a strong presence at the vendor booths during the police equipment expo there, and why the anti-gunners don’t bother showing up.

We sadly witnessed the spectacle of a major city turned into a ghost town, its citizens literally in lockdown and hiding in their homes from a single heavily-armed teenage terrorist. You may be sure that most who owned firearms had them loaded: the fugitive, and the brother he apparently killed by accident, had already kidnapped one citizen at the point of illegally possessed firearms. Despite a massive police presence, it was a private citizen who found the quarry; thank God the suspect was debilitated by wounds sustained in his shootout with brave Watertown Police officers and was in no condition to attempt to murder him. One wonders if that good citizen would have felt better at that moment if he’d had a familiar pistol at his hip when he pulled back the tarp on his bloodstained boat, and realized what he was facing.
We have much more to learn about this incident and how many more of these terrorists are inside our borders. Among the many lessons that will sooner or later become plain, one is certain to be this: in a nation of well over 300 million citizens policed by far less than a million cops, more people than ever will recognize the importance of the armed citizen that our nation’s founders so wisely memorialized in the Second Amendment.

1 COMMENT

  1. For those who haven’t already seen it, the following link is to an article that perfectly illustrates the Massachusetts mentality:

    http://www.wdef.com/news/national/story/Boston-bomb-suspects-didnt-have-gun-permits/–EDXCmQy0mJCJ5qMA4Vog.cspx

    At first, I thought it was a parody article by The Onion, but it’s not…they’re serious! Why the subject of this article would come as a surprise to anyone is beyond belief.

    My favorite line is this astonishing news:

    “Cambridge Police Commissioner Robert Haas tells The Associated Press in an interview Sunday that neither Tamerlan Tsarnaev nor his brother Dzhokhar had permission to carry firearms.”

    Oddly enough, there is no mention of whether or not the brothers had permission to plant & to detonate explosive devices in a public place.

  2. Mas,
    Please explain to Senator Feinstein why the so-called “assault rifle” is EXACTLY the weapon law abiding citizens would want to defend their families against a heavily armed terrorist on the loose. (When you’re done with her, please explain it to the nearest brick wall, potted plant, etc.)

  3. Hi, Mas. out of geeky curiosity, is there any word on what weaponry the Boston killers used? Let alone how it was aquired in the gun-control paradise of Mass?

  5. One of the lessons of Boston, is that the police at this point have obtained somehow absolute power over citizens. In pursuit of this single BG they cordoned off a square mile of urban Boston. Then SWAT teams went house by house ordering folks out of their own homes. Entered the homes and searched them. Citizens had to be thinking “get shot by terrorist or SWAT team”. Just like the gun searches of Katrina where the old lady was body slammed by LE. A thousand guns confiscated and never returned. Hmmm…Gotta love America of 2013. I have no idea how this country got to this point. Kinda makes me sick to my stomach.

  6. Mas,

    With your life long experience i thought you might have an answer because,

    I’m confused! The Boston bombing suspect has been charged with using a weapon of “mass destruction”

    When we went to war with Iraq. We fought our way into Iraq and destroyed tens of thousands of tanks, artillery, rockets, missiles, planes and deadly gas containers and we never found any “weapons of mass destruction”

    Did we look in their pressure cookers?

  7. Mas,

    What do you think (constitutionally and tactically) of the shelter in place order and warrentless searches of homes near where the suspect was believed to be?

  9. i have to say it’s scary, bothersome and ridiculous to me that,
    1) the city was in lock down
    2) people were evacuated from their homes
    3) the streets were over filled with so many government agents: atf, fbi, swat, local/state police from all over, etc
    4) a civilian discovered the suspect [in his boat]

    do people feel so unsafe by one gun-man to hand over their lives and liberty to hundreds of gun-men with automatic weapons and full assault-gear? should we hand over control to the government every time there’s a bad guy loose on the streets with a firearm? would we not be safer if the people had the freedom to exercise their rite to bear arms?

    there’s a hypocrisy here in the liberal state of Massachusetts: they hate guns, but hey should uniformed men carry them that’s ok and should they spray bullets into people’s houses, well that’s ok too.

    a sad ending to the story is that David Henneberry, the civilian who discovered the suspect in his boat, is now left with a boat full of bullet holes and no compensation to replace it. he has created an online fund to raise $50k to replace said boat but has managed to raise only $366 to date: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-buy-boston-marathon-bombing-hero-david-henneberry-a-new-boat

  10. akvusn eh,

    And where did the definition of Assault Rifle come from? Those same lawmakers that keep changing the definition, that’s where. The word Assault Rifle that you are using was defined for you. Does anyone know when it was first defined before the lawmakers got ahold of it. I could assault an area with a .22 if I wanted to, does that make that an assault Rifle??? Use you own brain before you argue with someone elses definition!!!

  11. These attacks will increase insted of decreasing.

    I can see more and more reason for Americans who have not armed themselves to do so.

    The police are not under obligation to protect citizens not in their custody.

    I would ask and citizen would you rather protect yourself and your famiely or do you prefer to be in police custody?

  12. Because of the state of the southern border and what has already crossed, the raging Imams in the mosques creating home grown terrorists I believe we will see more of this to come. While groups like CAIR lull the people they scheme behind our backs to take us over.

  14. I watched a recent CBS News cast, where the Talking Head, told us that the Surviving Boston Bomber suspect would be charged with use of a Weapon of Mass Distruction, but that he, and his brother, had committed this crime based upon their “RELIGIOUS BELIEFS”, but were not associated with any TERRORIST GROUPS?

    An earlier news broadcast had interviewed an associate of the older brother, who related that he, and the older brother, had engaged in a passionate debage, regarding wheter the Bible, was only a cheap copy of the Koran, and other aspects of Christianity, compared to the Koran.

    Now, to me that begs the question, as to Why their “Religion”, was carefully not mentioned in either nescast?

    Unless, someone knows of anyone, besides Islamic Muslims, who base their faith on the Koran, it seems fairly certain that the Boston Bombers were of the Islamic Muslim faith, which is the majority religion in Chetnya.

    Wonder why that was carefully not mentioned, by the News Media Talking Heads?

    Could it possibly be that Obama, who appears to be a “Closet Muslim”, and whose books tell us, that should he have to make a choise, that he, Obama, would side with his brother Mulims, against all others.

    So, if only Muslims base their faith on the Koran, then even though there may be some peacdful Muslims, somewhere, and since all known Terrotists are of the muslim faigh, would it not also be reasonable to classify ALL MUSLIMS WHO COMMITT TERRORIST ACTS, AS BEING TERRORIST TOO?

    Seems too, that our Natinal Lame Stream Media is trying extremely hard to avoid associating these Muslim’s, who did, in fact, committ a Terrorist Acr, with a Weapon of Mass Distrution, as NOT BEING TERRORISTS, for some, most likely, Political Motive.

    Anyway, if the “Shoe Fits”, seems to me they are TERRORIST TOO!

  15. We were let down by an intelligence community that is focused on glossing over problems and directed to ignore information that anyone concerned with safety and security would follow up on.

    This was highly avoidable had the brothers been watched more carefully, if the FBI had investigated the websites they indulged in and if the government would admit a connection between muslim imam’s rants and muslim jihad violence.

    But the current administration has nixed that connection so we cannot look at jihad violence as anything more than random acts unconnected to each other and having no common, underlying thread. We have to take each incident as a unique occurrence which is what led up to the 9-11 debacle and multiple homicide in today-speak. And dearly contributed to the Boston marathon bombing.

    Our current administration in Washington, I believe, wants these acts to continue and proliferate so it can enact martial law in more places, more often and eventually disarm the American people entirely turning them into scared, “locked-down” and enslaved thralls to an almighty central government.

  16. We’ve been wondering the same thing in my family. For what it’s worth, if I had those goings-on anywhere within 20-30 miles of me, I’d have the pistol with me 24/7, ESPECIALLY if I was checking something out of place in my back yard.

  17. On my trips to Boston I’ve come to appreciate that Bostonians are an interesting and unique breed. They are tough and will bounce back from this act of terrorism. Its good that they captured one “alleged” terrorists alive and should be able to thoroughly investigate the case. Also, @ Dave–VA, I heard some of the stupid questions asked by the press so I wouldn’t put much stock in AP’s “story” other that that I doubt they had permits for their weapons.

  19. I thought is was frightening to see the number of law enforcement personnel on the final confrontation firing that many rounds at a “fish in a bucket” so to speak with it being unclear what was around it. It was VERY instructive as to what happens when the adrenalin gets going. Actually, the whole thing was disturbing from the incident to the follow up. I have very mixed feelings about it all.

  21. Well OF COURSE thew didn’t have permits for their weapons. One of them is 19 and too young to even buy a weapon.

    That said it is my understanding that they spent a lot more money and had a lot more things than one would expect given their supposed income. How’d that happen? I believe they were trained and groomed to be terrorists and their “handler” is about to be deported and the survivor is about to be “mirandized.”

    This will be renamed as “recreational place violence” and the current administration’s self-written record of ‘no terrorist incidents under MY watch’ will remain intact. And the media will agree and sit idly by as the nation sinks beneath the sea of lies it is being overwashed by.

    Mas for President!!

  22. 1.A major city in the USA can go into full lock down and have the citizens locked into their homes, work, schools, public sporting events all canceled, everything completely parlayed by one “armed 19 year old”.

    2.Now as a US citizen we all saw the authorities struggle to find this terrorist and by luck a person who went out of his house for a smoke noticed his shed with blood and boat cover array and case closed. The police, National Guard, feds, all and authorities involved were working there hardest just their best and stressed to the hilt on one person yet he slipped their perimeter.

    3.Now what would we all do without having proper guns in our homes and being prepared to stay put “LOCK-DOWN” if this was 50, 100, 500 people they were searching for who just committed a terrorist act on our soil?

    4.Next time our politicians talk about taking our guns away bring up this latest attack on US soil and how a whole US city was taken siege. That without those heavy guns as they put it we are all in deep trouble because the bad guys all have the heavy guns. Tell the gun grabbers guns are not for just deer hunting and to take a hike!
    Anyone who goes along and gives up their guns at this day and age is not right.

  25. Here is a link to an article by Mike Sweeney, the Communications Manager with the Gun Owners’ Action League, in MA.

    He points out the violations of the Marathon Bombers under MA’s current firearms laws, and the frustrations of all Citizens of MA, because of those laws, and their inability to legally defend themselves, wile criminals view the State as an attraction, for the very same reasons.

    http://dailycaller.com/2013/04/23/boston-an-armed-terrorist-in-a-gun-free-neighborhood/

  26. The scenes in the video shared by Noah Vaile above are outrageous! These innocent people were treated like criminals, being forced out of their homes, hands on their heads, and marched down the street! I can imagine these scenes taking place in some war-torn country being run by dictators, but in AMERICA? I can surmise that these strong-arm tactics are a result of some lessons learned from the Dorner case. I never thought I’d see these scenes of martial law in America!

  27. I believe the weapons used by the two brothers, were low capacity under 10 rounds. So, the MEDIA, would not, have any reasons for mentioning the weapons used by the two brothers. Now, that’s my opinion.

    I also feel we’re screwed, because our country has become so soft, and afraid to stand-up against our government. However I also feel, we as a nation have a lot of fight left in us, we just have to wake up.

  29. Here assnine kind thinking that ant gun people are pushing on progun people over Boston atrocity. What was said in this assnine news story is fact that collage camps policemen was killed just seating in his police car for his weapons. That two creeps that shooting at his fellow policemen where more likely useing weapons they killed from that policemen. Why do beleave this m4 rifle used in this case only belong to policemen in that state. In the configuration that was in. If I am bring prove to me.

    Editor of The New Yorker and former Washington Post reporter David Remnick suggested Monday night that the Senate gun control legislation would have made the Boston Marathon bombing “a hell of a lot more difficult to pull off.”

    “I think a domestic question has to be asked is how do kids like [the Tsarnaev brothers] get guns?” Mr. Remnick asked host Charlie Rose. “Where are they getting side arms from?”

    ——————————————————————————–

    SEE RELATED: Dzhokhar Tsarnaev: Tamerlan was the mastermind in Boston bombing

    ——————————————————————————–

    “It’s not, to me, and I don’t want to politicize an act of terrorism, but it’s, it is worth remarking upon, worth remarking upon, in that within a week’s time a very, very, very weak gun control bill gets defeated, in effect defeated in the Senate, we see yet another act which might have been a Hell of a lot more difficult to pull off with effective gun control,” he continued.

    The Washington Times reported Tuesday that neither Tamerlan nor Dzhokhar Tsarnaev had valid permits to own firearms and neither of the brothers had obtained the handguns legally, according to authorities.

  30. Mass I think state denial happen in are counrty beleave that bad thing bad people did Boston atrocity only happens in other counrtys only ever now than has lead false sense of security in are counrty. I remember many year ago attend prescreen be security gaurd at football stadium. Ask head guy in charge of security what if question about what plan was for major atrocity . His answers to my question was becuase event like that never happen in that city that had video surveillance sure be safe from those events. This was four year after 911 event happen when apple for this job. Needless say he more worry about staff be caught on tv scratch there ass. Needless say after prescreen I did take job or have attend NFL out door event ever. Than some other securty event I attend taught buy ex military now police officer slash security consultant I asked again what if atrocity happen. He went on tell story about why he had long job police sergeant in San Deigo police deparment becuase learn not be frist responder to be on seen. Was teaching have along career meant you should be frist responder to atrocity that best be last guy there. When engage person in what if police in San Deigo engage buy well arm supects like two scum bags in question was frist told that never happen again that win shoot out with heave arm supect take head shot 10 round 9mm ruger rifles. Week after this ten year old gang banger show up at policemen home and d killed him with ruger p85 9mm handgun right front his wife kids in event that just never happens in San Diego county. Scare part Mass this man was one those set policies that still effect at that police deparment. Be homicide invegater I am sure got tire many people telling well this kind atrocity just does happen in USA but sure enough it happen here you got see it. What gone take for people stop living in state denial about this events take place Mass??? I fear next event well happen becuase clues again where missed becuase just can not happen here.

  31. I think what bothers me the most is how bone-deep stupid these two were, and yet they caused so much chaos and fear.

    A dozen real professionals and a few million in funding could do incalculable damage. Set up two-person support teams in various cities, have the actual shooters/bombers travel from one location to another, with vehicles ready to swap…ghaaaa.

  33. Yeah sure, if India would have enacted that Senate bill that would have made the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks harder to pull off. If anyone believes that I’ll sell them the Brooklyn bridge, and throw in Brooklyn as a bonus.

  35. Mas,

    After research, please comment on the number of rounds fired by the Boston police, or whoever was shooting at the terrorists. I heard the first gunfight was 200 rounds, and I think I heard the second gunfight was 21 rounds. Where are these bullets going in a populated city? Aren’t they hitting buildings? They certainly aren’t hitting their targets very often. We hear Tammerlan was killed not by bullets but by being run over by the car. His younger brother was shot at twice but not killed by all those bullets. Imagine a civilian in court having to answer for all those errant shots fired.

    I’m reminded of Jeff Cooper’s advice against “spray and pray.” I think Louis Awerbuck said, “Only hits count.”

  36. Roger Willco, your first two words — “after research” — show me that you know the reality: it’s gonna be a long time before we know exactly what happened. There have been many differing accounts of those incidents. Without knowing exact distances, just how dark it was, just how bright the headlights were in the Watertown officers’ eyes, etc., it’s just premature for any of us to speculate on the details and the lessons. Thanks for understanding.

  37. Bloomberg Cites 2nd Amendment Erosion for Post-Boston Security Push.

    Speaking on April 22, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the Boston Marathon bombing forces us to change our interpretation of the constitution. He cited the left’s success to date in eroding the 2nd Amendment as giving him confidence such re-interpretation is possible.

    Bloomberg focused on how reinterpretation will allow us to trade more of our privacy for “a level of security greater than [we] did back in the olden days.” This means more surveillance measures on buildings and cross streets, or, as Bloomberg put it, “more cameras and that kind of stuff.”

    He used the example of the 2nd Amendment to bolster these things, hoping recent pushes to change it from a right that’s absolute to right that’s not proves we can re-interpret the constitution as needed: “The Supreme Court has recognized that you have to have different interpretations of the Second Amendment and what it applies to and reasonable gun laws.”

    He said we simply have to rethink things if we want “to live with reasonable levels of security.”

    Bloomberg’s argument may be a hard sell since millions of Americans have yet to change their interpretation of the 2nd Amendment. Outside of Bloomberg’s sheltered existence behind armies of guards who use guns to keep him safe 24/7, Americans are buying guns and ammo at a record pace to defend their lives and the lives of their families, as our Founding Fathers intended.

  38. An open letter to Diane Feinsein,
    Take a look at an opposing view, e-mail me a comment if you have a chance, This is a big country, not everybody is in a urban cocoon. This whole gun control thing really stirs up a lot of passion. Anyway, take a look. As you might guess, we are just a little bit rual.
    Well just let me give you a little view of America,
    I have had an AR for over 33 years, my wife of over 27 years has use this weapon as her primary deer hunting rifle , hog hunting rifle, varmint hunting rifle, and weapon for self defense. It is small, light, and compact. She is very good with it, very good with it, and you tell us that now it is an assault weapon that you want to ban. This is my wifes personal defense weapon. In a defensive situation, why would you limit the size of a magazine? Just asking, and I expect a response. When I leave the house to go to work, I leave the most efficent weapon that I have to protect my wife from harm. Why would I limit her to a pistol or a shotgun to protect herself? I will not. She has used this rifle to put a deer in the freezer every year for the past 27 years, multible wild hogs, and has protected our livestock from coyotes and other predators with it. And I am damm confident that she can protect herself and our property when I am away at work with it.
    This is America, we will not have you or anyone else telling us what our needs are for self protection or otherwise, besides it is not any of your damm business.
    I here what you are trying to do, your “if I could have had 51 votes I would have told Mr. and Mrs. america to turn them all in”. You need to understand who you are talking to, we are the citizens of the United States of America,
    We are not doing anything wrong
    We are paying our taxes
    We are going to church
    We vote everytime and support canditates and organizations that reflect our views with our pocketbooks
    Most importantly, we will not put up with any infingment of our rights.

    The root cause of everyone of these mass killings is a broken institutionalized mental health system, lack of school security and gun free zones, not my wifes rifle.
    If you spent half of your effort focusing on solutions to the root cause of these problems instead of pushing your gun control/gun ban agenda we could actually do some good and prevent these tragedies.
    Respectfully
    Kevin
    South Texas

  40. This is a perfect example of why no should accept the propaganda of Bloomberg or Cuomo. Not now or in the future. I would never set foot in NY, Mass. Ct, Kali ,Maryland or any other non free State. Mas, thanks for speaking the truth as always.