Tennessee Church, Site of Bloody Rampage, Most Likely A Self-Imposed Victim Zone

Updated: Monday, July 28, 2008, 9:59 pm -- Confirmed! The Unitarian Universalists denomination passed a general resolution in 1991, since unchanged, urging registration of firearms and restrictions on ownership. Sadly, this self-imposed victim zone was chosen for a reason.

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Updated: Sunday, July 27, 2008, 9:41 pm -- A second person has died as the result of this shooting at a Knoxville, Tenn. Unitarian Universalist church. A 61-year-old woman died after being taken to an area hospital. The FBI is now assisting in the case, and working to determine if the tragic incident was a hate crime. Neighbors of the alleged murderer say he was a nice man, but had issues with Christianity.

I'll bet any amount of money that this church, saying it is an agent for "social change," was rabidly anti-gun and this miscreant knew it. He knew the congregants would be defenseless and counted on their fear of common-sense defensive tools. THAT is part of the tragedy of this story.

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Updated: Sunday, July 27, 2008, 5:20 pm -- One person, a 60-year-old usher, has died from this church shooting. The assailant used a shotgun when he entered the facility, the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. While Tennessee has no prohibition on firearms in churches, sadly, I am sure the prevailing culture at this house of worship was very anti gun. Unitarian and Universalist churches across the U.S. are frequent sites of anti-gun lectures and book signings. So while there was, wisely, no state law against firearms in the church, I think it is a fair statement that the anti-gun sentiment that is rampant among this particular denomination made this a self-imposed "victim zone." I think the bad guy DID know this.

The suspect is being held on a $1 million bond. He attempted to conceal his shotgun in a guitar case. News reports say several members of the church did what they could to tackle the assailant, and hold him until police arrived. But by that time the damage was done.

Congregants are telling the media that Greg McKendry, the church usher murdered by the intruder, was a "total hero" for taking a shotgun blast meant for others. Personally, I wish Mr. McKendry had had a firearm to take out the assailant, instead. He might be alive having dinner with his family tonight instead of having his name all over the evening news.

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A church in Knoxville, Tenn. was the site of an unexplained shooting this morning, as a criminal entered the sanctuary and starting firing at people. Seven people were critically wounded. Twelve others were treated for minor injuries at the church. The shooting occurred during a children's production of the musical, Annie.

The assailant was taken into custody without a fight after police arrived.

Tennessee is one of a handful of states that allows firearms in churches. Ever wonder why those intent on doing harm with a gun always go to a school or mall (where the No Weapons signs are) and not the local police station? Just maybe it's because they would be met with a bit of resistance.

It's too bad there apparently was no resistance available at this particular place of worship. Perhaps the bad guy knew this. Police say they may never know the criminal's intent.