Jan Brewer said Monday she's "not sure'' whether the shootings in Connecticut mean Arizona needs to revisit the various laws expanding the right to carry weapons in public she has signed in her four years as governor.
The governor, in her first public comments about what occurred, called the incident "absolutely horrific.''
"Everybody's heart is broken to the point where you can't hardly get over it when it's brought to your attention again or you're just thinking about it as you're driving along,'' Brewer said when asked about Arizona's gun laws. She said that such incidents always lead to a discussion of the rights of individuals to bear arms.
"And I'm not sure it's something that needs to be addressed in that respect,'' she said, pointing out that the Sept. 11, 2001 hijackers used box cutters.
"There are evil, evil people in our country, unfortunately, and in the world,'' Brewer continued. "And I don't know how we get our arms around it.''
She said people with guns going crazy and killing people is a sad situation.
"I know everybody's looking for an answer,'' the governor said. "I don't know what that answer is.''
The governor said if there is an area where people should focus in the wake of the shootings it should be on making schools safer.
"We've just had too many incidences of this kind,'' she said.
"I hope that people across the country come together and figure out what it is to make that environment safer,'' the governor said. "But I will just always believe that there are evil people and I don't know what the solution is, how you're ever going to stop it.''
The governor said a better mental health system may be part of the answer, helping people with problems "address those issues before they get out of control.'' Still, she said, no amount of counseling can prevent every problem.
"I've been told at least that some incident can take them over the edge,'' Brewer said.
Brewer has inked her name to a variety of measures expanding the rights of people to carry guns since becoming governor in 2009.
The most sweeping permits any adult to carry a concealed weapon. Prior to that, only individuals who had undergone a background check and some special training could hide a gun on themselves; anyone else who felt the need for protection had to have the weapon visible.
She also signed a measure to let those who do have a state-issued permit carry their guns into bars or restaurants where beer, wine or liquor is sold, though they are not permitted to drink. Establishment owners do retain the right, though, of posting "no weapons'' signs at the door.
Brewer also agreed to let people bring their weapons into parking lots and garages of public colleges and universities as long as they leave them in their vehicles. And she signed a law allowing anyone who feels threatened to "display'' a gun without being charged with intimidation.
The governor, however, also has shown there are some limits to how far she is willing to go.
Earlier this year, for example, she vetoed -- for a second time -- legislation which would have permitted individuals to bring weapons into most public buildings.
In her message to lawmakers, Brewer called herself "a strong proponent of the Second Amendment,'' saying she has "signed into law numerous pieces of legislation over these past few years to advance gun rights.'' But she said firearms are not appropriate everywhere, such as schools and government buildings.
"Decisions made by government officials at the state, county and municipal level impact all areas of life and can have a profound impact upon an individual's family and livelihood,'' wrote Brewer who had been a Maricopa County supervisor. "Emotions can run high.''
And last year she rejected a measure which would have allowed individuals to bring their weapons onto the campuses of public colleges and universities, though not into classrooms.
In that case, however, the governor said her objection was not to having guns on campus but to what she said was the flawed wording of the legislation. For example, said there was no good definition of exactly where guns would -- and would not -- be allowed on campus, pointing out that nowhere in the legislation did it define exactly what is a "public right of way'' where weapons could be carried.
cwms2005 posted at 2:49 pm on Mon, Dec 17, 2012.
Before you do that Janet, find out how many "Gun laws" were broken by the 20 year old in CT. He was underage, stole the guns, the auto weapon he used was already outlawed, He was in a "gun free" zone etc. Laws arn't the answer unless you pass a law requiring everyone to be armed. Let's concentrate on the person and causes like rational people, not the object like mental midgets.
DataMan posted at 4:46 pm on Mon, Dec 17, 2012.
actually cwms, the guns were his mom's and he'd used them with her to learn how to shoot, so they weren't stolen.
Maybe there should be a law to prevent a law abiding citizen from allowing here 20 year old son with known mental problems access to her guns!
But don't worry, cwms. The NUTS in state government here named an official state gun just weeks after the deadly shootings in Tuscon.
vietnamvet007 posted at 6:31 pm on Mon, Dec 17, 2012.
our Arizona laws are just fine. if it isn't broke, don't mess with it.
Masterrogue666 posted at 8:31 pm on Mon, Dec 17, 2012.
Additional gun control isn't the answer. Mexican citizens aren't allowed to have weapons. Look how much trouble Mexico has with the cartels! CWMS made some good, valid POINTS DataMan, I noticed you didn't bother to try an counter them all.
I don't know, but has there been any similar shootings like those mentioned in Texas? Texas gun laws are less restrictive than other states. Perhaps more states should model their gun laws.
Masterrogue666 posted at 8:34 pm on Mon, Dec 17, 2012.
Here's the most recent I could find real quick:
September 1999 - a gunman opened fire at a prayer service in Fort Worth, Texas, killing six people before committing suicide.
Read Latest Breaking News from Newsmax.com http://www.newsmax.com/US/mass-shootings-us-colorado/2012/07/20/id/445971#ixzz2FN3VeQoX
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Masterrogue666 posted at 8:35 pm on Mon, Dec 17, 2012.
Here's an older one:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luby's_massacre
goldenkee posted at 8:43 pm on Mon, Dec 17, 2012.
This was obviously a mental heath control issue and not a gun control issue. Attempting to address this tragedy with the latter will not accomplish anything.
The defective unit tht did this could have done and equal or greater amount of damage with a vehicle. Just my opinnion
k33j88 posted at 6:03 am on Tue, Dec 18, 2012.
The gun laws in CT are some of the most restrictive in the nation. I know, I've had to jump through many a hoop to apply and receive a ccp. My question is: Why isn't any of the school administrative staff allowed to pack heat? There is an accessible safe in all school principal offices. Guns do save lives, especially in the hands of competent, well-trained individuals.
DataMan posted at 8:39 am on Tue, Dec 18, 2012.
Seems the NRA has gone silent on facebook since Friday. I wonder why?
Hey 666, don't forget the mass shooting in Tuscon, where people who WERE CARRYING chose NOT to act because they didn't know what was happening and who the bad guy was. They were worried about shooting the wrong person!
Why do you need a 30 shot clip? Why should a gun and such clips be sold to someone that had KNOWN mental problems? Mental problems, like the shooter in both Colorado and Connecticut.
It's time for something to change!
IAB posted at 9:50 am on Tue, Dec 18, 2012.
dataman.... Your wife or daughter is confronted by a group of men leaving a store exactly how many rounds of ammunition is the right amount for her to use for her defense. 6,7,8,9 how many????
IAB posted at 9:58 am on Tue, Dec 18, 2012.
data man Your wife or daughter is confronted by a large group of young men. Exactly how many rounds of ammunition is the right amount for her to defend herself with?? 6,7,8,9,10 how many?
Deddzone posted at 10:16 am on Tue, Dec 18, 2012.
Dataman makes a good point. For the NRA to be silent speaks loudly of their lack of ablility to see objectively on a issue that has long been overlooked. Where is their voice?
No one needs an assault rifle for hunting or home defense. Hunting rifles and handguns for home defense are fine--but it's past time for common sense. The NRA has been the culprit for pushing through gun laws that were not needed. Now they could step-up and play a role in the next step---but the cowards hide.
And Brewer is unsure? Gee, not surprised. One would think she'd know best after Tucson and have something to say about helping those with mental illness.
DataMan posted at 10:33 am on Tue, Dec 18, 2012.
IAB... How many innocent people need to die because YOU shot the wrong person?
Does your wife carry a 9mm with a 30 round clip? What a dingbat you are!
And I bet you screamed to high heaven about fast and furious, and guns getting into the wrong hands WITH LEGAL PURCHASES.
IAB posted at 11:08 am on Tue, Dec 18, 2012.
Nice way to avoid the question. As far as Fast and Furious you mean the program where the ATF approved the sales after the dealer gave them a red flag about a possible straw purchase?
DataMan posted at 11:48 am on Tue, Dec 18, 2012.
IAB, seems you're the one in denial and avoidance!
Do YOU carry a 30 round clip with you in case 4 sassy boys laugh at you???
F+F was about HOLES IN EXISTING GUN LAWS as much as anything!
Nuts got guns. Just like in Colorado, Cn, Tuscon, and how many other cases over the last couple years????
Deddzone posted at 12:01 pm on Tue, Dec 18, 2012.
IAB, no one is going to take your handgun. Congrats on being born in the United States! Now an assault rifle? That's impractical for home defense, self-defense and hunting. Not buying that argument.
I think we shall soon seen a great number of Americans--far more than the 4 million who belong to the NRA---agree that we do not need them. Folks who want one can join the military or the police. End of story.
This is going to be a long process, but a needed one. We also need to stop treating mental illness as a stigma and find proper ways to help people.
Masterrogue666 posted at 12:19 pm on Tue, Dec 18, 2012.
"Hey" Dataman: I was talking about TEXAS, not ARIZONA. I can't help it if you don't bother to read comments completely.
As for multiple clips. I use them myself. In my civilan lifetime, there was only one time that I pulled my gun from its holster in order to protect myself (and one other) from SEVEN thugs. My Browning 9 MM was in my right, and two spare clips was in my left. That's a total of 45 shots. If you do the math, that's about 6 shots per CRIMINAL that acosted me. I gave them the choice of leaving peacefully, or escalating the encounter. Since ALL of them were armed with melee weapons, ANY HOSTILE move would have caused me to the AIM and fire my weapon at anyone that seemed intent on doing me harm. If necessary, I would have used all 45 bullets to protect myself. It's better to shoot a bullet than throw an empty gun at someone....
IAB posted at 12:20 pm on Tue, Dec 18, 2012.
data man I am obviously a gun enthusiast. That said I do Not carry high cap mags because they are faulty and often don't cycle properly. But I do carry two extra mags. I would ask If you saw the video during the 90's riots where a man stood on top of his roof with 'Gasp' an assault rifle? He stopped a crowd of looters from stealing or destroying his property and life by himself thanks to that assault rifle.
Masterrogue666 posted at 12:20 pm on Tue, Dec 18, 2012.
I agree that persons with mental problems should NOT have access to guns. The problem is that you never know WHEN a mental problem will show itself....