Michael Tabman's Blog: Crime Scene - Posts Tagged "empire-state-building-shooting"

Here we are - another shooting in a public venue. This was not a mass shooting as occurred at the Sikh Temple in Wisconsin or the movie theater in Colorado, but no less tragic. In the heavily visited area surrounding New York City's Empire State Building, one man fatally shot another man in what appears to be a workplace violence related incident. The New York City Police Department responded quickly, killing the assailant after he trained his weapon on them, perhaps in a suicide-by-cop.

The New York City Police Department is one of the most well-trained and prepared police departments in the country, if not the world. Their readiness to respond to dangerous events has been further honed and improved upon since their stellar performance on 9/11. Many years of my career in the FBI were spent on task forces with NYPD. I admire and respect the department and the individual detectives and officers. I am honored to have as one of my closest friends a retired NYPD detective with whom I worked more than 25 years ago. Accordingly, the point I am about to make should not be considered as criticism in any manner.

One difference in this recent New York City shooting that tells a very revealing story is that innocent bystanders were hurt by rounds fired by the police. Again, this is not a criticism of the police. But that reality must cause us to stop and think. If that can occur in a confrontation with highly trained and capable police officers, what may have happened if average citizens, armed with guns had responded? Some would argue that the threat may have been eliminated earlier. I doubt it. Citizens, even those who have received minimum training for a carry permit do not have the training, experience and presence of mind of a New York City cop. Had armed citizens responded, we may have been looking at a more deadly if not catastrophic event.

The answer to fighting gun violence is not to flood our streets or college campuses with more guns. Logical, common sense gun control laws are the most practical response. No laws and no law enforcement activity can completely stop crime or tragedies from occurring. No rights are absolute and beyond some controls and restrictions. Gun control laws can and should respect the rights of law-abiding citizens who wish to own guns for self defense, sport or hunting. Yet, gun control laws with well grounded rules and procedures can also slow down the process and make obtaining a weapon more difficult for those who should not own any type of gun. Every step that must be taken gives our authorities an opportunity to intervene and thwart another shooting.

There is a middle ground that can be reached. Everyone must be willing to give up a little for the common good. Just as rights are not absolute, neither is security. But, we must do all that we can to give ourselves a fighting chance.