Omaha mall shooting victims

[Mike193Inf]

Hi all,
This event has really been bothered me (as it would any normal person). I guess as a "gun guy" it's bothered me even more in that I know had any one of us trained and armed individuals been there, we could have put an end to this psycho's existence before he killed any of the innocents I've listed below- or at least saved some of them. I've had a concealed carry license for years but rarely carry. Why should I? Pistols are heavy on the belt and jab and pinch you now and then, they're a pain to carry as so many places restrict weapons, and deep down you know you'll never need it anyway because you live in a nice part of town or out in the country. Well, after this I will be carrying my pistol every single time I go out into public places- like malls. "No guns" signs posted or not. Write me a ticket or take me to court- at least I'll be alive to defend myself from the charge. If I had been in that mall and had not been carrying- knowing I own a weapon sitting in a safe at home, knowing that I have a license to carry it, and knowing that I have the training and experience to use it to save lives- well, I don't think I would have been sleeping much after that if I had been there- if I survived. I don't even want to think about how I would feel if my wife, twin 4-year old daughters, and 2 year old son were with me. To drive my point home I'm posting the names and pictures of all 8 innocents who were killed. Many others were wounded and some are still fighting for their lives in critical condition. Look at them closely- it just as easily could have been your mom, dad, sister, wife, child, or anyone that you care about. The first two young girls' pictures are especially painful to look at- so much so I have to close my eyes or turn away after a few seconds. That's a good thing though. The next time I think "Oh, I'm just running to the corner store for milk, I don't need to strap on that heavy .45" I'll just think of these faces and slide that holstered weapon on. I hope you'll do the same.



This undated photo provided by her family shows Angie Schuster. Schuster, 36, was killed Wednesday Dec. 5, 2007 when Robert A. Hawkins opened fire at the Von Maur department store in Omaha, Neb.




This undated photo from the Moline High School yearbook shows Maggie Webb. Webb was killed Wednesday Dec. 5, 2007 when Robert A Hawkins opened fire at the Von Maur department store in Omaha, Neb. Eight persons and Hawkins died in the attack.




This undated photo provided by her family shows Jan Jorgensen, who was killed Wednesday Dec. 5, 2007.



This undated photo provided by his family shows Gary Scharf, who was killed Wednesday Dec. 5, 2007.



This undated photo provided by family shows Gary Joy, who was killed Wednesday Dec. 5, 2007.



This undated photo released by her family shows Diane Trent. She was killed Wednesday Dec. 5, 2007.



In this undated photo provided by the NP Dodge Co., Beverly Flynn is shown. Flynn, 47, of Omaha, was killed Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2007, where she worked as a gift wrapper at the Von Maur store and as a real estate agent at NP Dodge Co. where she started selling homes in 2006.



In this undated photo provided by the Omaha Police Department, John McDonald is shown. McDonald, 65, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, died during the Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2007, mall shooting before emergency crews arrived, his son-in-law Joe Shehan told the Omaha World-Herald.

[ArmyGuy45]

RIP to all of them...

[Majk]

Sad days here, but healing will eventually come.