Tuesday, October 15, 2002

 

ANOTHER OPINION:

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YOUR FRIENDLY, LOCAL, NEIGHBORHOOD SNIPERMAN
By John Birch, President, Concealed Carry, Inc., PO BOX 4597, Oak Brook, IL 60523, Tel: 630 660-3935 Fax: 815 327-1152 Email: john@concealcarry.org

Okay, I admit it. I'm fascinated by Sniperman. And curious too. If you are squeamish I advise you to stop reading right here. If you don't stop, don't send me nasty email saying "How could you write such things! Mercy!" This column is not about the victims, this is about Sniperman.

Frankly Sniperman is doing gun owners no favors by taking out innocent civilians. Every gun owner hating psycho out there is using him as the example of a typical gun owner. Worse, they are dancing again in innocent blood to push for actual or de facto registration of guns. See below story.

Anyway, the military in me has gotten the better of me and I find myself unable to resist a "bench rest" analysis.

I am guessing whoever the Sniperman is that he is quite intelligent, with more a goal of amassing points to his ego than terrifying the populace. I think he enjoys "sticking it to the cops" more than he does the actual killing.

As any reader of John Ross's "Unintended Consequences" can tell you it would be expected that the targets would represent agents of alleged or actual tyranny - they don't. But it's his gun, and his bullets, so I guess he makes the rules....for now...until the police capture or, more likely, kill him.

In my parallax view the Sniperman is being about 10% as effective as he could be. If I wanted to terrify the population the way I would do it is to start out with a series of shootings, as Sniperman did, to establish my bona fides. But then I'd get it out to the press the exact make and model weapon I used plus the exact brand and type of ammo. I'd make sure to pick the most common of rifles and ammo. AR-15 anyone?

Why pray tell would I do that? In a word: Copycats. One man can only do so much. To spread terror you need to propagate your movement. I don't live in Montgomery County, MD so I am not the least bit afraid. But if others took up an identical rifle/ammo and the shooting spread out from Maryland like spokes on a bicycle...I'd be seriously concerned.

Some of the copycats would no doubt have personal grudges to settle and taking out an enemy this way would just put the blame on Sniperman. Others would have beefs with the IRS, local police, etc. to settle. Who knows what they would scope out?

In short order the police, who are already totally overwhelmed, would be so concerned with self-preservation that I would guess civil disorder would result sporadically across the nation.

Since Sniperman apparently prefers to communicate with his rifle, and not via the press, I am concluding his goal is personal, and he's not part of any "terrorist" group with a definable objective. I say this with all due deference to J. J. Johnson who would disagree.

I expect we will have another "communication" from Sniperman before the day is out. In the meantime I remain curious as all get out. Maybe that makes me morbid in some people's eyes. I think it makes me normal.

My advice to the DC area cops: He's sent you one warning already. I'd be in body armor (yes, I now the .223 goes through ballistic nylon, but better than a Fruit of the Lomb T-Shirt) and hope he doesn't become adept at head shots. Also, whatever you do, do NOT release the type of weapon he's using nor the brand/type of ammo until he's caught/killed. Also, do not make any references that you have the slightest control of the situation. Every time you open your mouth Sniperman will prove you wrong. Remember what happened when you said it was safe for kids to go to school?

Of course it might not be Sniperman. Could be Snipermen. Doubt it's Sniperwoman. Citizens with tips for the police can mail them to: P.O. Box 7875, Gaithersburg, Md., 20898-7875

Perhaps you have a Sniperman theory? Please share it. mailto:john@concealcarry.org

posted by huggy 8:48 PM