It was a little over two years ago now that Devin Patrick Kelley shot and killed 26 people, and wounded 20 more at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Kelley had legally obtained the guns he used in the shooting, but he shouldn’t have had them.
Kelley, a former member of the Air Force, had been convicted of domestic violence and court-martialed. The Air Force failed to report Kelley’s criminal record multiple times. If they had reported him, his info would have been included in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, known as NICS, which firearms dealers use before they sell guns to anyone. It was illegal for Kelley to have any guns, but he got them anyway.
Thanks to Texas lawmakers, the Sutherland Springs tragedy wasn’t about to happen again.
Killing Spree cut short by good guys with guns
When a gunman, 43-year-old Keith Thomas Kinnunen, a man with a criminal record, started shooting at the West Freeway Church of Christ, 6 armed men on the church security team moved right in on him. Kinnunen fired off two rounds, killing one deacon and injuring another member of the security team (who later died). Then a member of the security team, Jack Wilson, took one shot and killed the gunman. Only three shots total were fired and it was over.
Why was the West Freeway Church shooting so different from Sutherland Springs? It all comes down to a pro-gun bill, SB 535.
SB535 allows licensed carry in places of worship
In 2019, Texas governor Greg Abbott signed SB 535, a law allowing licensed gun owners to carry on church premises. The law, along with other new gun laws, took effect one day after the Odessa shooting on August 31, 2019.
The two mass shootings in the summer of 2019 in Odessa and El Paso also prompted Abbot to sign executive orders to better target possible mass shooters and respond to threats.
SB535, with church members willing to carry loaded weapons, cut this gunman’s killing spree very short. It lasted about 5 seconds, and the loss of life, though still terrible and too much, was limited to two rather than the 26 of the Sutherland shooting, thanks to the security team that saved many lives.
Democrats are still calling to disarm law-abiding citizens that want to protect themselves
Democrats like Joe Biden and Beto O’Rourke think that people in churches should not be able to defend themselves. Biden even speculated that it is just “irrational” for church members to be armed.
He couldn’t be more wrong. After what happened at the West Freeway Church of Christ, having armed people in the congregation is very rational indeed.
Just months ago, Joe Biden attacked the Governor of Texas for signing a law that allows people to bring guns into places of worship.
Today, Two brave, armed parishioners took down the gunman at the West Freeway Church of Christ.
They saved lives.pic.twitter.com/HlW9ZkKvL2
— Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) December 30, 2019
Thankfully, the governor of Texas, Greg Abbot, thought it would be wise for church members to be able to attend church services while carrying a gun.
BREAKING: Video shows gunman open fire at West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, Texas before being shot dead by armed security; the service was being live-streamed on YouTube pic.twitter.com/58YcB8ODT1
— GrantB911 (@GrantB911) December 29, 2019
Beto still thinks something is clearly wrong
So saddened to hear about another church shooting in Texas, this one in White Settlement near Fort Worth. Clearly what we are doing in Texas, what we are doing in this country, when it comes to guns is not working. https://t.co/krwcpL1lih
— Beto O’Rourke (@BetoORourke) December 29, 2019
The only thing “clearly wrong” is Beto O’Rourke. He should really acknowledge what went right. What Texas has done has clearly made it safer for people in churches that have armed security teams.
Houses of worship should have armed security teams
The machete attack on a Hannukah party in New York on Saturday and the attack on West Freeway Church of Christ should convince us all that places of worship are going to continue to be targeted by malicious killers until they stop seeing them as soft targets.
The West Freeway Church of Christ security team has shown us how to protect ourselves in houses of worship. We send our thoughts and prayers to the families of the West Freeway fallen.
Governor Abbot awards a Medal of Courage to Jack Wilson
Today I presented the Governor’s Medal of Courage to Jack Wilson.
He’s the hero who risked his life to save the lives of others by stopping a gunman in a deadly shooting at a church near Fort Worth.
It’s the highest award given to civilians in Texas. #txlege pic.twitter.com/UPaWjmsjTi
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 13, 2020
1,409 Responses
Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all of us you really know what you are speaking about! Bookmarked. Please additionally discuss with my site =). We could have a hyperlink trade arrangement between us|
Hello to all, how is all, I think every one is getting more from this site, and your views are nice for new users.|
I really like what you guys are usually up too. This type of clever work and coverage! Keep up the great works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to blogroll.|
Excellent blog here! Also your web site loads up very fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol|
I am truly pleased to read this webpage posts which carries plenty of helpful data, thanks for providing these information.|
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I don’t know who you are but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!|
Hi there colleagues, pleasant paragraph and nice urging commented at this place, I am actually enjoying by these.|
Excellent pieces. Keep writing such kind of info on your site. Im really impressed by it.
Nice replies in return of this matter with solid arguments and explaining all about that.|
Hello, I enjoy reading through your article. I wanted to write a little comment to support you.|
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.|
It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you few interesting things or advice. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read more things about it!
Attractive section of content. I simply stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to claim that I get in fact loved account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your augment or even I success you get entry to constantly fast.|
You need to take part in a contest for one of the highest quality blogs on the net. I am going to recommend this website!|
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz reply as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to know where u got this from. thanks a lot|
I constantly emailed this webpage post page to all my contacts, for the reason that if like to read it after that my contacts will too.|
Fine way of describing, and good piece of writing to get facts concerning my presentation subject matter, which i am going to deliver in college.|
This is a topic which is close to my heart… Thank you! Exactly where are your contact details though?|
My brother recommended I might just like this website. He was fully right. This submit in fact made my evening. You cann’t believe merely how a lot time I had put in for this information! Thanks a lot!
After looking into a number of the blog posts on your web site, I honestly like your technique of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Please visit my web site too and let me know your opinion.|
Nghá» trang Ä‘iểm cho các show diá»…n thá»i trang, sá»± kiện của thÆ°Æ¡ng hiệu (chuyên viên trang Ä‘iểm)
Wonderful article! That is the type of information that should be shared around the web. Shame on Google for now not positioning this submit upper! Come on over and discuss with my web site . Thanks =)|
I am actually thankful to the holder of this website who has shared this great article at at this place.|
Pretty great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I’ve really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I am hoping you write again soon!|
Chuyên viên trang điểm tại các studio áo cưới
A motivating discussion is definitely worth comment. I think that you need to write more on this subject, it may not be a taboo matter but usually people do not talk about these subjects. To the next! Kind regards!!|
I’m really loving the theme/design of your web site. Do you ever run into any browser compatibility problems? A small number of my blog readers have complained about my blog not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Chrome. Do you have any tips to help fix this issue?|
My programmer is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on various websites for about a year and am anxious about switching to another platform. I have heard good things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress content into it? Any kind of help would be really appreciated!
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!|
Nice answers in return of this question with real arguments and telling all concerning that.|
You are so awesome! I don’t suppose I’ve truly read through anything like that before. So great to find another person with a few unique thoughts on this issue. Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This site is one thing that is needed on the internet, someone with a little originality!|
I think this is among the most vital info for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But want to remark on few general things, The site style is perfect, the articles is really excellent : D. Good job, cheers|
Hmm it looks like your website ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any helpful hints for first-time blog writers? I’d certainly appreciate it.|
Hey, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, amazing blog!|
I always spent my half an hour to read this website’s articles all the time along with a cup of coffee.|
I go to see each day some sites and sites to read content, but this blog offers feature based articles.|
I am sure you bookmark your website and can eventually come back later on. I’d like to
Nghá» trang Ä‘iểm cô dâu tá»± do, makeup Ä‘i tiệc, sinh nháºt, kỹ yếu.
Chuyên viên trang điểm tại các studio áo cưới