What to do?

One thing that is aboundantly clear after the Virginia Tech tragedies is that anti-gun people aren't going to figure out that carry permit holders pose little threat to others any time soon, and hence all of us are going to have to figure out what to do when we must enter a "Welcome Criminals" ("gun-free") zone like a school, a post office, or perhaps even your place of work or worship.

So what do we do to avoid becoming a victim--or having someone we love become a victim? Well, for starters, we can start paying attention to the signs. Judith Reisman points out, for example, that the VT murderer was known for taking inappropriate pictures during classes. I won't repeat the details here, but such behavior would have gotten people expelled 40 years ago. It's also probable that his writing would have gotten failing grades in a gentler age as well.

I don't guarantee it will work, but maybe a few letters to the dean about tolerating such things might wake someone up. But maybe not.

If not, or even if so, two basic options come to mind. First, get a carry permit (my birthday present was to apply!) and if you end up injured or worse in a "welcome criminals" zone, you or your estate can sue. Second, get those you love a canister of pepper spray, available at most camping goods stores. A man doesn't often hit what he cannot see.

Overall, just remember that if a man comes into the room, guns-a-blazing, you don't need to ask permission to fight back.