A Good Guy With A Gun (6 page)

“Yes sir, that is correct.”

“When you saw him running toward you, did you challenge the boy to stop?”

“Sir, it has been my training that when confronted with a gun, I shoot first and ask questions later. I believe this is in keeping with Florida’s
Stand Your Ground Law
, is it not?”

“Yes Mr. Shupe, it is.”

“Turning now to the boy in the classroom”, the Police chief spoke. “Was he known to you before the shooting?”

“No sir, Chief Lewis, I had no associations with him whatsoever. From what I understand he was not popular, and was suspected of having some mental and social problems at the school.”

“Can you think of any reason why he would target only the Black students in the classroom?”

“No sir, I cannot”

“To the best of your knowledge, were you aware of any tensions that he might have had with these students, or had he been known to make any racist remarks in school.”

“No sir, I do not have any knowledge to that.”

“Turning now to the question of the assault rifle he used in the shooting”, the chief said, “I believe it was an AR-15 semi-automatic assault rifle with an extended ammunition clip capable of firing 30 rounds without reloading. Is that correct?”

“That is sir.”

“As a minor it would have been illegal for him to have obtained such a weapon. Do you know how and where he might have obtained this weapon?”

“No sir, I don’t know where he might have gotten this weapon or who might have aided him.”

“Thank you Mr. Shupe”, the Police chief went on, “While this has been a tragic incident, I want to say that because of your heroic efforts, many more deaths were avoided. We’ll adjourn now so that we can give a Press conference. We may need to ask you more questions as facts come to light.”

The panel of people including Shupe emerged from the school building and took seats at the table in the tent before the assembled crowd of reporters.

Keith Watson, representing the
St. Petersburg Times
was there holding his wife, Emily’s hand. Emily was beside herself in grief that something like this could have occurred at her school. Maybe if she’d known the boy, this could have been avoided.

The Press conference began.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic shooting deaths that have occurred here today. These are the facts of the case that we know as of today. The shooting was done by a single individual named Billy Edwards. He came into the classroom armed with an AR-15 assault rifle with an extended ammunition clip and fired 18 shots killing five individuals at close range. He was then killed by an armed security guard at the school who was able to prevent more students from being killed. At this time we do not know of any motive, and believe that he was a disturbed individual. Another student was killed by the guard in the ensuing panic. It is still unclear if that student was also armed, and was involved in the shooting. These are the facts as we know them and will present more facts as they come to light. We want to especially commend the heroic efforts of Clay Shupe who was the armed guard at the school and responded quickly to the shooting. Had it not been for his efforts, it is very likely that more deaths would have occurred. This case seems to also prove that Florida’s new Armed Guard School Security law, or as most of you know it by, the
Good Guy with a Gun Law
, does in fact save lives. Thank you all.”

Hands flew up from the crowd for questions. “Chief Gibbons, is it true that all of the victims in the shooting were Black?”

“Yes, that is true”, the chief responded.

“Chief Gibbons, do we know anything about where the boy acquired his weapon?”

“At this time, we do not have any information on this. As you know it is illegal in this state for a minor to own an assault weapon.”

“Chief Lewis, can you shed any light on the Black student who was also killed by the guard? Is it true that no weapon was found on him? Also did the shooter leave behind a note or tape that might shed some light as to his motive?”

“At this time we are still investigating this fact and will enlighten you as the facts emerge. Thank you all for coming.”

On that note the police chief got up and the journalists departed to their respective trailers to file their stories.

Keith clutched Emily who whose tears were flowing freely now
. It was just like the last time at Columbine
, Keith thought,
another disturbed individual with a powerful assault rifle.

He’d report back to his editor to see how his editor wanted him to follow-up on this story.

Keith Watson’s editor beckoned him into his office, “I’m so sorry to hear about the shooting, Keith, I know your wife is a teacher there. Did she know any of the students personally?”

Keith shook his head, “She didn’t know anything about the shooter, and only had passing acquaintance with most of the victims.”

The editor went on, “Listen Keith, I know this must be pretty hard on you as well, having lived through something like this personally at Columbine. I’d like you to do some background material on this. I’m going to have you meet with someone from Florida’s Center for Violence Prevention Chapter. There’s going to be a lot of renewed talk about gun control and new gun laws and
she’d be a good source for it.”

At the Florida State chapter of the National Rifle Association, the chapter president Phillip Deschutes was on the phone to the governor.

“You see Governor, we don’t need more laws to control guns, just more armed guards to confront the bad people with guns. This all goes to show that we were right along. You people in the state legislature, keep up the good work of fighting these new gun law proposals that the liberals want to foist down our throats.”

He hung up the phone and turned to one of his aides. “This should help increase the donations that come in to our cause”, he said. “We might want to even get that Shupe guy to speak at our national convention. A
good guy with gun
saved lives!” he animated with his hands.

Back at the school, Shupe sat down in his office and locked the door. He’s managed to pull it off so far with no one the wiser. In fact, now they think of him as a real hero. He’d have to be careful about what he said from now on, but this would certainly advance his standing in the
Army of the White Brotherhood.

A shame about Billy
, he thought,
He was a good kid and a true martyr to the cause. Someday when this war is over, we can bestow upon him the true honor he deserves.

In another room of the school Detective Woods and the principle of the school Harold Miller were questioning Melissa.

“Ms. Hartwood, we understand that you knew Billy Edwards pretty well, is that correct?”

Melissa was in a state of shock. She couldn’t believe that Billy could possibly be involved in such a thing. What could she say? Should she mention anything about Shupe?

“Yes sirs, I knew him, but not all that well”, she replied.

“Do you have any information about where he purchased the gun he used?” queried the detective.

“I have no idea at all! I didn’t even know he knew how to shoot a gun.”

“Melissa, I want you to be very honest about this, because anything untruthful you might say now could get you into a lot more trouble,” said the school principle.

A lot more trouble?
thought Melissa,
What kind of trouble was she in?

“We found a blanket in the closet of the dance studio that had gun grease residue on it matching the weapon that was used in the shooting”, Detective Woods went on. “We know from other students that you and Billy frequented that room after hours. Did you help him purchase that gun, or know that he’d hidden it there?”

Melissa felt the blood leave her face.

So that’s what Billy and Shupe were doing there! Now they think that I helped him buy the gun
, she thought.

“No sir”, she replied. “I told you before. I never knew anything about the gun. Billy just helped me video some dance moves in the studio, that’s all.”

“OK” said the principle. “Detective, do you have all the information you needed?”

The detective nodded and left the room.

“Melissa”, the principle said as she was leaving, “Stay a minute.”

He closed the door and turned to her. “There are a lot of people who are very upset about this, and know that you were Billy’s girlfriend. They might want to take some kind of revenge out on you - especially if it ever came out that you had something to do with obtaining the weapon. It might be best if you transferred to another school.”

Devastated, Melissa picked up her backpack and left the room.

The Florida Center for Violence Prevention office was in a
two-story non-descript brick building. Keith
opened the door and seated before him was a middle aged Black woman.

Keith introduced himself and she looked up and smiled. “Your editor called. I’ve been expecting you. I’m Leona Freeman.”

The modest one room office was furnished with an institutional metal desk, two metal chairs and a file cabinet.

When they were seated Ms. Freeman said, “If you’re looking for the rest of the staff, I’m it. I understand you are here to gather some background information on gun control measures and how we can prevent occurrences of school shootings like the recent shooting at Emory High.”

“Thank you”. Keith responded. “Tell me; just exactly do you do here Ms. Freeman?”

“Basically the Florida Center for Violence Prevention works to stop the rising toll of gun deaths through research, advocacy, education, and collaboration. The VPC believes that the answer to reducing gun violence lies in better regulation of the gun industry and private gun ownership to reduce the staggering number of deaths that occur each year through gun violence. We are completely funded by private donations. Now, what can I do to help you?”

“My main reason for being here”’, said Keith “is to gather some background information on gun control measures and how we can prevent occurrences of school shootings like the recent shooting at Emory High.”

Ms. Freeman nodded. “Your editor told me you were raised in Colorado, and were a student at Columbine High School when that tragedy occurred. I imagine you have some pretty strong feeling about guns and gun control”.

“Yes, I was there” he said solemnly “I still have nightmares about the shooting. I vividly recall the panicked screams and the pop-pop-pop of shots fired. I managed to get out, but as you well know there were a number of my classmates and teachers who didn’t. But the worst memory I have is that of Charleston Heston, days after the shooting,
standing before a
crowd of Gun Supporters in downtown Denver, raising a musket and proclaiming
“….Out of my cold dead hands!….”
After that I had no sympathy at all for the NRA or Second Amendment Rights groups.”

“Well Mr. Watson”, Ms. Freeman replied, “It may surprise you that
I
am a gun owner, and
do
support the Second Amendment. Unfortunately the whole argument has been co-opted by radicals who insist that
any
form of gun control legislation will lead to the confiscation of
all
firearms. “

“Let me give you a little history lesson…” she continued.

“At one time the NRA had little interest in gun policy, and actually was pro-gun control right up through the 1960’s. Prior to the 1920’s all gun control measures were at the state level. Most laws were passed by Southern States aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of black people. With the rise of bootlegging and the proliferation of gangsters in the 1920’s, the US Congress passed the
National Firearms Act of 1934
to stop the proliferation of Tommy Guns, and Sawed-Off Shot Guns. The NRA
supported
this legislation. In fact in his testimony, then NRA president Karl T Fredrick said:

‘I have never believed in the general practice of carrying weapons. I seldom carry one. I have carried one only when I felt it was desirable to do so for my own protection. I know that applies in most of the instances where guns are used effectively in self-defense or in places of business and in the home. I do not believe in the general promiscuous toting of guns. I think it should be sharply restricted and only under licenses.’

“In 1938 Congress passed another law, the
National Firearms Act of 1938
, which required the licensing of interstate gun dealers and the keeping of a Federal Registry of gun sales. It also prohibited violent felons from owning guns. It was also supported by the NRA.

Keith said surprised, “You mean there actually was a database of gun owners as early as
1938
?”

“Yes”, she went on, “In fact, in 1968, after nearly a decade of assassination of political leaders, and riots in major cities, Congress passed the
1968 Gun Control Act
. This expanded the list of people who were ineligible to own guns to include people convicted of any felony, minors, and people adjudicated to be incompetent. It also created what is commonly known as the
‘sporting purpose’
rule for foreign gun ownership to limit the importation of foreign made guns such as the AK-47 which were starting to come into the country then. The NRA supported this legislation as well.”

Keith said, “Who enforced these laws?”

She went on, “The U.S. Treasury Department’s
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
. Before this their mission was primarily to ensure proper revenue was collected on Alcohol and Tobacco, and to prevent moonshiners from selling illegal alcohol. So you see, the NRA has not always been against gun control. But in 1977 they forced out individuals within the organization who wanted its primary purpose to be promoting sportsmanship and gun safety. It began to aggressively challenge handgun bans and invoke the Second Amendment to challenge any gun laws in court. To this day, the NRA has failed to support a single major piece of gun reform legislation.”

“So the problem is the NRA opposition to gun legislation,” said Keith.