Texas Killing Spree: Charles Everett Brownlow Jr. Arrested For Arson, 5 Slayings

[onehandle]

Source: Huffington Post

A 36-year-old man is accused of going on a killing spree in Texas on Monday night, CBSDFW reported. Police in Terrell, a town 30 miles east of Dallas, said a shooting rampage over several hours left at least five people dead.

"We're all in a state of shock," said Terrell Police Chief Jody Lay. "This is going to have a big impact on us."

The shootings began around 5 p.m. Monday when police started finding bodies. The first victim was discovered in a home with a bullet wound to the head. Officers were investigating that death when they received word of an arson and a second body nearby.

A friend of the suspect was shot at in a third location, but was not injured. Around 10:30 p.m., police found two more victims shot to death inside a home. Authorities also discovered a 3-year-old child at the location, uninjured in bed.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/29/texas-killing-spree_n_4172729.html

[jpak]

1. 2nd Amendment Freedom!

yup

[greiner3]

2. What is it called;

When this post needs no reply;

But needs to be stated that one is necessary?

[Loudly]

3. It doesn't matter how responsible and law abiding gun owners think they are.

Guns and ammo in the hands of the public equals loss of impulse control with devastating consequences for society.

[hack89]

8. This man could not legally own guns - he has an extensive criminal record.

he is not an responsible or law abiding gun owner - he is a violent felon.

Public records show an extensive criminal history. Brownlow has been charged with burglary, unlawful possession of a firearm and marijuana, and family violence

.

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/20131028-terrell-authorities-investigating-two-deaths-in-the-same-neighborhood.ece

[Loudly]

12. He was able to obtain a gun because guns are so abundant in America.

Make them scarce.

[hack89]

14. And how do you plan to accomplish that?

going to use the war on drugs as your model?

[Loudly]

21. First turn off the "legitimate" spigot. Shut down manufacture, importation and retail sale.

And put the cutting torch to police-confiscated guns rather than selling them back to the public.

[hack89]

22. Doesn't your "solution" have to have at least a tenuous link to American legal and cultural reality?

first you have to get Heller overturned. Then pass some Federal legislation. Then overturn various state constitutions. Then get some state legislation.

[Loudly]

47. Nothing which a solidly liberal U.S. Supreme Court cannot solve.

The potential jurisprudence relating to the manufacture, importation and sale of guns and ammunition is where the potential action lies.

I hope to remain around to guide us in that direction.

[hack89]

48. Just like the conservative SC promptly over turned Roe v Wade ... oh wait.

You realize that the SC does not make laws. What kind of case do you really think you can make at a lower level that will eventually make it to the SC that results in them banning the manufacture, importation and sale of guns and ammunition?

While you are at it, look up judicial strict scrutiny - it will explain why what you want will never happen.

[Loudly]

49. SCOTUS need not ban it.

A majority decision that manufacture, importation and sale are not protected by the 2A is all that is needed to turn us away from the disastrous course we are on of endlessly more guns and ammo.

Are you actually in favor of unlimited quantities of guns and ammo flooding into society?

What sense does that possibly make?

[sendero]

50. Make air.

...scarce. Make drugs scarce. Really, in what skittle-shitting-unicorn universe do you live?

[Jackpine Radical]

4. Good God, there used to be a mass shooting every 10 years.

Now they're daily events.

Surely these things are symptoms af a pathological culture that is no longer able to reliably keep its head above its own sewage.

[heaven05]

5. yep, true +1000

sick, mean vicious country breeding sick, mean pathological monsters. Yeah most probably had emotional/mental problems already yet the ability to access lethal weapons that shoot bullets does not help. Better screening of gun buyers, please, is a step in the right direction.

[Jackpine Radical]

11. Yeah, most had emotional/mental problems already.

Last edited Tue Oct 29, 2013, 11:14 AM - Edit history (1)

Ya know what? You already nailed it. Those emotional problems come from being raised in a "sick, mean vicious country breeding sick, mean pathological monsters."

Actually, I believe in family values. I believe every family ought to have enough to eat, decent shelter, health care including mental health care, access to good jobs, a good education,and a positive connection to the larger community. Instead, we have people who are born to 13 year-old single mothers, traumatized by the brutal conditions around them, beaten down by an uncaring system, raised in squalor, and destined for prison. We would much rather invest in incarceration than in early intervention, would rather let mental illness fester until it erupts in violence than head it off early, and would rather destroy the human potential of millions of children rather than nurture and educate them.

Then we wonder where the monsters come from.

And another thing--about this screening of gun buyers? That's a total fantasy. I happen to be a criminal forensic psychologist with a specialization in violence risk assessment and considerable experience testifying in court on these issues, and I can tell you that we do not have the tools to reliably identify who might be a potential mass killer. It's always easy after the fact--you can always find cues and ask how people cold have missed them.

But--suppose one person in 1 million is a potential mass murderer, and suppose that you have an actuarial instrument that helps you identify people more likely to commit such crimes. The BEST actuarials in the behavioral sciences have likelihood ratios on the order of 3.0. That means that someone who tests "positive" on your instrument is 3 times more likely than the average person to commit a violent crime. Further imagine that 1 person in 100 tests positive on your instrument. That is a very conservative estimate of the rate of "dangerous serious mental illess" in the population, lower than the rate of paranoid schizophrenia, and much lower than the rate of Bipolar Disorder. For simplicity, we will say that the US population is about 300 million. Given that 1-in-1-million figure for mass murderers, your instrument will identify 3 million people as high-risk, but only 300 of them would actually commit a mass murder. You are therefore falsely identifying 100,000 people as high-risk for every one you correctly identify as high risk. Furthermore, since your instrument is only 3 times better than chance, you will be missing about 1/3 of the actual mass murderers.

[heaven05]

15. I take your word on the fantasy of screening

for the 'at risk' individuals. My "instrument" is fantasy. Thanks for some education.

[tblue37]

23. Good post. nt

[ejpoeta]

53. you are never going to catch everyone, but you can catch some....

close the loopholes. maybe we could have select stores that can sell them, like liquor stores. Extensive background checks... like for criminals and those who are KNOWN to have a history of mental instability.... People who have domestic violence arrests.... Something. It won't catch everyone, and I know there are other avenues to procure weapons, but we can at least do things that we can do. I mean, maybe we could streamline the rules for every state. I know.... probably can't do that, but some states have more lax laws and others have more stringent ones. Maybe we can at least streamline the background check issue. What about gun shows? I don't know much about guns.... but I think it could at least make it harder to get guns legally anyway for those who shouldn't have guns. I know you can't predict who will go nuts on everyone. But there are red flags that can be at least checked for.

[Jackpine Radical]

57. Pleas understand I'm not agruing against gun control. Just about a proposed method.

[IdaBriggs]

6. They seem to be averaging every four days.

If you only count the ones where four or more people are shot.

Sigh.

[hack89]

7. Actually the number has held steady for 30 years

Based on data extracted from official police reports to the FBI, the figure below shows annual incident, offender and victim tallies for gun homicides in which at least four people were murdered. Over the thirty-year time frame, an average of about 20 mass murders have occurred annually in the United States with an average death toll of about 100 per year.



Without minimizing the pain and suffering of the hundreds of who have been victimized in seneless attacks, the facts say clearly that the has been no increase in mass killings, and certainly no epidemic. Occasionally, we have witnessed short-term spikes with several shootings clustering close together in time.

In the 1980s, we had a flurry of postal shootings, and the 1990s included a half dozen schoolyard massacres. Other than the copycatting reflected in these cases, the clustering of mass murders is nothing more than random timing and sheer coincidence.

http://boston.com/community/blogs/crime_punishment/2012/08/no_increase_in_mass_shootings.html

James Alan Fox is a professor of criminology at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States. He is the Lipman Family Professor of Criminal Justice and former dean at Northeastern University.[1] He has published 15 books and dozens of journal and magazine articles and newspaper columns.[2][3] Fox holds a bachelor's degree in sociology (1972), a master's degree in criminology (1974), a master's degree in statistics (1975), and a Ph.D. in sociology (1976), all from the University of Pennsylvania.[4]

Fox is known as "The Dean of Death," for his research on mass murders.[5] USA Today says that "Fox is arguably the nation's leading criminologist." As an authority on homicide, he appears regularly on national television and radio programs,[6] including the Today Show, Meet the Press, Dateline, 20/20, and 48 Hours. He has been a guest numerous times on Oprah.[7]

Fox often gives lectures and expert testimony, including appearances before the United States Congress, and White House meetings with the President. He served on President Bill Clinton’s advisory committee on school shootings, and a Department of Education Expert Panel on Safe, Disciplined and Drug-Free Schools.[8]

Fox has served as a visiting fellow with the Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S. Department of Justice, and an NBC News Analyst.

[Comrade Grumpy]

19. Okay. I feel so much better knowing that the status quo maintains.

[hack89]

20. Personally I am happy they are not increasing.

we can certainly do more but a 50% decrease in the murder rate in my lifetime makes me feel much better - and safer.

[Niceguy1]

51. but the homicide rate is still the lowest in a long

Time and still trending down....

[Jackpine Radical]

58. That's true--all crime rates are much lower than 20 years ago.

From what others indicate in this thread, mass murder rates seem to be staying the same across time, though. I think mass killings are a very different phenomenon from "ordinary" insturmentally motivated killing (e.g. gang murders, spousal killings, etc.).

[billh58]

9. And the NRA apologists

are swarming to tell us that there's nothing to see here. Gun violence like this doesn't count because: Second Amendment, My Rights, Freedom, and Liberty. Things are actually getting better folks, and all we need is more gunz...

[hack89]

17. There is a lot to see here.

Last edited Tue Oct 29, 2013, 03:14 PM - Edit history (1)

violent felons should not be able to get guns. And if they are found with guns, they need to be locked up for a very long time. This guy has a long history of criminal violence - why is he on the streets?

Additionally, the ATF needs to be expanded so they can crack down on the illegal gun trafficking that provides criminals like this guy their weapons.

You don't see a difference between legal gun owners and felons like this guy - every gun owner is a pre-criminal in your eye. That is why you keep failing - you will not pass any gun control without the help of gun owners.

[billh58]

24. Yet this felon found

it easy enough to get a gun, and most likely from a "legal gun owner." Please spare me your NRA apologist bullshit about how ALL "legal" gun owners are beyond reproach. A recent study showed that 80% of convicted criminals obtained the guns they used in the commission of crimes from "private sources."

Until we have full national registration of guns, and other forms of accountability for the fucking things (insurance, licensing, etc.) criminals will continue to obtain guns from "legal" sources. It's just too easy to get a gun in this country (and especially in Texas), thanks to the NRA and its obscene political influence which is at least partially enabled by people like you.

And yes, I DO see a difference between "legal gun owners" and "felons": most felons were at one time or another "legal gun owners," or they got their guns from a "legal gun owner."

[hack89]

25. So all legal gun owners are to blame?

ok.

You are honest in your disdain. Ineffective but honest nonetheless.

[billh58]

26. Just like a Gungeoneer

to twist things to promote your precious guns. No, "ALL" legal gun owners are not to blame, and in fact most American gun owners are responsible and have no problem with background checks and national registration. There are a substantial number, however, of "cold dead hands" NRA apologists who would sell guns to anyone -- no questions asked, because: Second Amendment, My Rights, Freedom, and Liberty.

When you, and your Gungeon buddies own up to the fact that not all "legal gun owners" are saints, we may begin to clean up the NRA-induced epidemic of gun violence in this country that you are trying very hard to "statistically" sweep under the rug. With people like Gabby and Mark Giffords, and many other grass roots gun control activists paving the way, the tide in this country is turning against the unfettered proliferation of gunz and more fucking gunz.

News flash: guns DO kill people, because that's their designed purpose, and the ease of access to guns makes the killing inevitable.

[hack89]

27. I fully agree that guns can be regulated and I do not support unlimited access to guns

Last edited Tue Oct 29, 2013, 08:26 PM - Edit history (1)

the only gun control laws I completely reject are AWBs and registration. I fully support UBCs and limits on magazine size.

Your problem is that ""cold dead hands" NRA apologists" = people that do not agree 100% with me on gun control. Which is why you continue to fail.

Btw, what sort of epidemic results in a 50% drop in mortality rates over a 30 year period?

As for the tide turning, time will tell. Let me know when you get back to where you were in 1994 vis a vis gun control - in case you haven't notice things have changed a lot since gun controls greatest victory.

[meanit]

10. A good guy with a gun would have....

hey, wait a minute. Aren't most people in Texas armed at all times? How come nobody was able to shoot this bastard before he did more harm?

Perhaps everybody being armed to the teeth at all times does not necessarily stop crime.

[Aristus]

13. You just said what I was going to say.

In a state which is wall-to-wall with gun fanatics, you'd think at least one, or hell, 100,000 people would have unlimbered and drilled this guy before he could cause the damage he did. Where the hell were all those "good guys with their guns?"

[Dopers_Greed]

16. Responsible gun owner

"Nothing to see here"

-The NRA

[hack89]

18. No - a violent felon who cannot legally own guns. nt

Last edited Tue Oct 29, 2013, 05:11 PM - Edit history (1)

[rdharma]

28. It's always interesting to see how easy it is for these prohibited felons to get guns!

Thank-you NRA!

[hack89]

29. I certainly agree that the illegal gun trafficking is a serious problem

the ATF needs a large increase in budget and personnel. Stricter penalties for illegal possession of guns would also be welcomed.

[rdharma]

30. No. Gun registration is needed.

The ability to trace ownership from original purchaser to murderer.

[hack89]

31. Two major flaws with that idea

1. Hundreds of millions of unregistered guns.

2. Felons and other people unable to legally own guns cannot be legally compelled to register guns - that pesky 5th amendment.

Besides, how does registration stop violent crime?

[rdharma]

32. Start registration NOW!

Of ALL firearms owned.

Felons can't legally own firearms..... Fuck 'em!

Isn't that OBVIOUS?

[hack89]

33. And just how do you plan to do it?

have any details or is this just another emotional rant? How, for example do you plan to enforce it? How do you plan to ensure every gun in America is actually registered?

[rdharma]

34. A simple Federal law requiring that all modern firearms be registered.

Like cars. ...... traceable to their legal owners.

It's that simple!

[hack89]

35. Just like those simple Federal laws making heroin and cocaine illegal?

a law that everyone immediately obeys?

So how do you know if every gun is actually registered when you don't know how many unregistered guns there are?

What about all those guns owned by criminals that we know will never be registered?

[rdharma]

36. Oh, it will work!

If they aren't registered, you go to jail. Simple as that!

If you choose to keep those "unregistered guns" in your closet and never take them out, that's also ....... "mission accomplished"!

[hack89]

37. So why do so many criminals have guns right now? Isn't there a law against that?

shouldn't they all be in jail? After all these years, how is it possible that criminals still have guns since it is against the law?

[rdharma]

39. Because there is no "track of ownership"!

Private sales can't be tracked...... and no reporting law for "stolen guns" in many states.

[hack89]

40. So with hundreds of millions of presently unregistered guns in America

Last edited Tue Oct 29, 2013, 07:43 PM - Edit history (1)

many owned by criminals - explain to me why criminals will not have as many guns as they need.

Explain me how you will stop guns from being smuggled into the country.

[hack89]

38. It won't stop gun sucides or mass shootings

the Sandy Hook shooter's guns were registered.

Criminals and suicides make up the vast majority of gun deaths - none of which will be impacted by registration.

[rdharma]

41. Yes. Criminals make up for many gun deaths due to lack of gun control/registration.

I'm less worried about the "suicide" aspect of guns. I'm more worried about the criminal and negligent death caused by guns.

[hack89]

42. So you don't care about two thirds of gun deaths? Ok

and mass shootings not a big deal? Ok.

Criminals will have all the unregistered guns they need - they already have them. And there are f millions of other unregistered guns that they can get a hold of.

You have yet to explain how every single unregistered gun in America will magically become registered.

[rdharma]

43. It's time to collect the "unregistered" guns!

Simple as that!

Folks caught with "unregistered" guns should get a severe "jail time spanking"!

Simple as that!

[hack89]

44. Why can't we collect all the illegal guns right now? What is stopping us?

if it is so simple?

[rdharma]

45. No registration or tracking mechanism.

Duh?!!!!

[hack89]

46. How will all those illegal guns owned by felons be registered?

Won't there be tens of millions of unregistered guns left in criminal hands?

[Niceguy1]

52. I don't think

Feasibly is part of the equation....

[rdharma]

54. Oh, it's feasible!

Even if the NRA says otherwise.

They tend to lie in order to pimp more guns.

[Niceguy1]

55. we would loose elections like crazy

Before it could even get put on paper.

[rdharma]

56. So the NRA wins again.....

.... and it's business as usual for the gun hugger enablers and their crazed killer BFFEs.

[Niceguy1]

59. the nra isn't the lead on this...

They are a good boogy man, but if they were to disappear today nothing would change.