Letter: Two years after the Virginia Tech massacre, gun laws have not changed

Wednesday, April, 15, 2009; 9:49 PM | 69 | | Print

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TOPICS: april 16 survivor gun show loophole lie-in

My name is Elilta Habtu, and I'm an injured survivor.

I was sitting in German class when I was shot in my wrist and in my jaw. The second bullet will forever remain 1 mm away from my brainstem.  These past two years I've advocated for more responsible gun laws in our country.  

I'm devastated that two years after the worst school shooting to occur ever in American history, where 32 of our fellow Hokies were brutally murdered, our gun laws in Virginia have not changed.

The simplest action our legislators can do that could prevent gun violence and save lives is to close the gun show loophole here in Virginia and across our nation as well. There are only 10 states in our country that currently have closed the gun show loophole.  

Our gun shows are the easiest one-stop shop to buy guns where anyone, including federal convicts, the mentally ill, gang members and even people on the U.S. terror list, can easily purchase weapons, even semiautomatics like AK-47s.  

Although the shooter didn't obtain his guns from a gun show, the mentally ill - like the shooter - can currently do so at a gun show. All a criminal has to do is purchase from a private seller - an unlicensed seller who legally is not required to perform a background check on the buyer.

Unlike a situation where a friend sells a gun to a friend, gun shows have hundreds, even thousands, of people attending and selling guns to complete strangers.

A simple background check would catch the felons and prevent them from buying guns that could mow down the rest of us. Why do our legislators refuse to protect the American people from potential killers?

The most powerful impact that any Hokie can do is to contact your legislators, especially Sen. John Edwards of Montgomery/Roanoke county, who has consistently and egregiously voted against closing the gun show loophole even though the largest mass shooting in American history took place in his very own district.

Another action one can do is to contact the one candidate in this year's Virginia gubernatorial race who does not support closing the gun show loophole - Bob McDonnell.

The only way we can change our gun laws in Virginia is to hold all of our legislators responsible for their actions, or inaction, for responsible gun laws.

Tell Edwards, McDonnell and any Virginia legislator who does not support closing the gun show loophole that you want your legislators to make public safety their first priority.

It is time for our lawmakers to take a stand for the safety of Virginians. You can also publicly show your support for closing the gun show loophole by attending this year's Protest Easy Guns second anniversary lie-in, which will be led by survivors, friends and families of the deceased victims.

It will be held at 3 p.m. on the lower Drillfield near Davidson Hall. From now on, in memory of our fallen 32 and all victims of gun violence, let us work together in bringing more responsible gun laws to Virginia and to our nation.

Elilta Habtu

Alumna, '07

Leave a comment 69 Comments Write a letter to the editor

Hokie Alum | # April 15, 2009 @ 10:45 PM — Flag Comment

This is so distasteful. While I understand that you were injured in that horrific tragedy, pushing your political agenda on a day of remembrance is just awful. You should be ashamed of yourself.

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Not even close to the truth | # April 15, 2009 @ 10:46 PM — Flag Comment

The gun show loophole is a myth and not a source of guns used in crimes. A 2006 FBI study of criminals who attacked law enforcement officers found that within their sample, None of the attackers’ firearms were obtained from gun shows or related venues. Licensed dealers conduct background checks at gun shows by law. Also according to the FBI, Virginia 's background check regulations for buying guns are the most rigorous and best of any of the states. You don't know what you are talking about and its shameful that you are taking advantage of a tragedy to further a political cause. Frankly I'm surprised a Tech graduate could be this ignorant.

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will | # April 15, 2009 @ 10:54 PM — Flag Comment

I agree, show some respect for the day and try thinking for a change you weren't shot in the brain after all.

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Another survivor | # April 15, 2009 @ 10:55 PM — Flag Comment

Lily, I'm also a survivor - of two tragedies though. I survived the shootings of April 16th, but I've also survived you and your emotional rambling and lies. I've been a gun owner for a while and so has my family, and our lives saved again by a gun not long ago during a break-in. Yea, while you'll never admit it, guns saved our lives that fateful day, for if the guys with guns hadn't shown up he would have surely come back for us. Yet for the past two years, you've continued to attack me and my family with the lies that the Brady Campaign feeds you about gun ownership. Free yourself. You've USED the tragedy as a way to advance what THEY believe is right and disregard reality and other people in the meantime. I've had enough; the gun show stuff has been dispelled numerous times yet you persist. Nothing will take back what happened to you, so move on. -SJ

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Gun Show Loop Hole | # April 15, 2009 @ 11:24 PM — Flag Comment

@ "Not even close...", I don't know where you got that from, but your claims just ain't so. Here is a quote from an ATF report: "Between 2002 and 2005, more than 400 firearms sold by federally licensed dealers, also known as FFLs, at Richmond gun shows were recovered in connection with criminal activity, including homicides." Link: ( http://commdocs.house.gov/committees/judiciary/hju26053.000/hju26053_0f.htm ) ABC's 20/20 recently did a story where Reema Samaha's brother walked into a gun show and came out with armfuls of rifles and handguns. He paid in cash, no ID, and no background check. Link: ( http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Story?id=7297745&page=1 )

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Information Loophole | # April 15, 2009 @ 11:36 PM — Flag Comment

@Gun Show, congrats on the 20/20 special, you and the anti-gunners must have paid a lot for that. Didn't you watch the 60 Minutes special though? They told the truths there which dispel the "gun show loophole" myth. And, Omar got caught red-lipped with his lies "oh I paid $100" "it was $15 extra" "I bought 10 guns" "it was 12 guns". Really? Is anyone still listening to the gun show lies? Everyone has to know by now that it's not a loophole, it is insignificant to crime, and that all dealers do background checks. Tell the truth for once in your life..

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Ms. Insensitive | # April 15, 2009 @ 11:43 PM — Flag Comment

Hey VT! Sad day tomorrow, so you know what I'm going to do? PROTEST! Yea! I'm going to use your day of remembrance to push my political agenda, and hope that maybe someone will listen to my emotional pleas! So won't you come join me in disgracing your day? You'll get to hear some fictitious info, because you know, we don't call it a LIE-in for nothing!

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Not even close to the truth | # April 15, 2009 @ 11:46 PM — Flag Comment

@Gun show My information comes from an FBI report here is the citation for it. Anthony J. Pinizzotto, et al., Violent Encounters: A Study of Felonious Assaults on Our Nation’s Law Enforcement Officers 53 (Aug. 2006). There is a big flaw with you statistic guns that were stolen by law abiding citizens was counted in that 400 total. This means that the criminal with the gun did not buy all of the guns from a gun show. The study makes no indication as to how many were bought versus stolen and it also doesn't say how many were actually used in a crime. A Bureau of Justice Statistics report on “Firearms Use by Offenders” found that fewer than 1% of U.S. “crime guns” came from gun shows, with repeat offenders even less likely than first-timers to buy guns from any retail source. Here is the citation for that study. Caroline Wolf Harlow, Firearm Use by Offenders 6 (Bureau of Justice Statistics, Nov. 2001).

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Unbelievable | # April 15, 2009 @ 11:53 PM — Flag Comment

This lie-in is disgraceful. It never ceases to amaze me how anti-gun folks never fail to use tragedy to advance their cause. Rather than share the experience with her fellow Hokies, Ms. Habtu is choosing to use the occasion to grandstand, no doubt in the hopes she can get on TV (again). She doesn’t really want “more responsible” gun laws; she appears to want them banned entirely. She was on CNN when the Supreme Court was about to release its decision in the Heller vs. DC case wherein the SCOTUS affirmed that the Second Amendment guaranteed an individual right to arms. Ms. Habtu was arguing on the side of DC, i.e. that all handguns should be outlawed. What’s the violent crime rate in DC again? Luckily for Ms. Habtu, Virginia Tech does not allow students to have firearms, thereby guaranteeing a safe environment. I sincerely feel for her, but seriously, she needs to get a clue. Some take an experience such as hers as a wake-up call for self-empowerment. Unfortunately, she would have all of us be as defenseless as she was on 4/16/07.

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Hang in there Lily | # April 16, 2009 @ 12:08 AM — Flag Comment

Don't let the gun crazies here get you down. You're doing the right thing by trying to change things, rather than accepting shooting massacres as a fact of life in America. And Heaven knows you've shown a heck of a lot more class to those who disagree with you than the jerks who've posted here. Keep doing what you're doing. More people are with you than you realize.

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Marvin | # April 16, 2009 @ 12:11 AM — Flag Comment

President Jefferson would be rolling in his grave if he were to read this editorial. Ms. Habtu, you evoke the trajedy of VT but blame the wrong people - the University denied you a right to protect yourself. The blood is on the hands of all of those people that continue to take away your right to defend yourself.

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Not even close to the truth | # April 16, 2009 @ 12:15 AM — Flag Comment

Gun crazy, yeah I'm gun crazy because I'm better informed about this issue than you. Rather than actually try and argue your point you insult us. Bravo, you set a great example for your cause overly opinionated and poorly informed.

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Notatall Fullofit | # April 16, 2009 @ 12:19 AM — Flag Comment

290 million firearms in the United States. Less than 1% are ever used for a negative purpose. Firearms are used responsibly by the OVERWHELMING majority of owners. You want to get emotional and get behind a cause? Try medical malpractice. It kills more people in the United States every year than firearms. Or better yet, be a prohibitionist. Alcohol is one of the deadliest and most destructive consumer items available. But with each of these tragedies, there is always someone willing to do Brady Campaign business, often even to make a career of it. I think there is a guy from Columbine who has made royalties from several books and who gets paid for speaking engagements around the country even to this day.

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Veteran Alum | # April 16, 2009 @ 12:31 AM — Flag Comment

There have been guns in the Republic since its beginning but these shootings are a recent phenomenon. In Switzerland every able-bodied male has a rifle (sometimes machine gun) and ammunition in his house and gun violence is almost unheard of. Obviously there's something going on in American society besides the availability of firearms.

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Keep Up the Fight | # April 16, 2009 @ 3:11 AM — Flag Comment

Yes, that's it, Lilly was hoping she'd be shot in a college classroom so she could use it as an excuse to push for better gun laws. Clearly too many posters have confused any or all gun laws with part of some conspiracy to ban guns or gun ownership entirely, as if speed limits and seat-belt laws are part a slippery slope or secret agenda to ban cars. And, of course, the only way to prevent violent crime is to arm everyone -- if only those Amish schoolchidren in Pennsylvania were armed. I love Unbelievable's hypocrisy posted below because I've seen it so often: the pro-gun control crowd is politicizing the tragedy to shamefully push for new gun laws, but it's OK for the NRA and wannabe cowboys to use the tragedy as an excuse to want to pack heat wherever they go.

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Karl H. | # April 16, 2009 @ 5:43 AM — Flag Comment

Well, it is true the Swiss have a better record with gun violence than the US. Men are required to serve in the army so training and understanding of guns is part of your education as a citizen. Still, it is not without problems: http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/internal_affairs/Young_Swiss_hold_European_record_for_gun_suicide.html?siteSect=1511&sid=9421609&cKey=1219301059000&ty=st

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Unbelievable | # April 16, 2009 @ 7:25 AM — Flag Comment

Hey, Keep Up the Fight, is the NRA staging a demonstration at Virginia Tech today? Is Students for Concealed Carry on Campus? I didn't even notice a letter from the pro-gun crowd in the CT. Either they had the good taste to respect the anniversary or the CT decided only to present one side of the debate. Either way, only the anti-gun people appear to be using today. And Karl, your article is about suicide, not murder or gun rampages. Not the same thing.

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Fred | # April 16, 2009 @ 7:44 AM — Flag Comment

When Charles Whitman opened fire from the top of the U of Texas clock tower in 1966, students didn't just decide to protest by lying in the streets to call for gun control. Instead, they (and other concerned law abiding citizens) went home and got their shotguns/rifles and helped take care of ending the problem. None of them shot each other, while Whitman got canceled like a stamp.

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D Sheehan | # April 16, 2009 @ 8:14 AM — Flag Comment

The NRA crowd has no shame. If this woman, who was shot in the face in the middle of her German class, wants to use today to talk about gun control, out of respect, you should keep your mouths shut and listen to what she has to say. If another survivor wants to publish an op/ed about carrying guns on campus, then run that and show the same respect for him. But how dare you clowns, most of whom dont and never went to VT and just picked this up off some message board, call her a grandstander and an opportunist. You will never win a neutral soul to your argument by trying to cut her down. She survived the worst gun-massacre in this country's history, she gets to say whatever she wants today.

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roger | # April 16, 2009 @ 8:44 AM — Flag Comment

I am sorry for what happened to you but your being used by the anti gun lobby.You even said yourself the shoter didnt buy his guns from a gun show yet your pushing for gun show laws this shows me your being used. It's sad everytime a nutjob does soething stupid we law abiding people get punished. Again your being used. Stop thinking about yourself.

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Clayton | # April 16, 2009 @ 9:24 AM — Flag Comment

My sympathy to you and your family. However, gun control is not the solution to this problem - eliminating the helpless victim mentality which is becoming the norm in our society is. As a society we need to make up our minds that we are going to fight back. Just look at the Israelis - gunmen in Israeli don't last long because the citizens kill them.

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RCP in NYC | # April 16, 2009 @ 9:46 AM — Flag Comment

Just to clarify something. Gun laws have changed in Virginia, and they did so in direct response to the Virginia Tech massacre. Tim Kaine closed the gap between state and federal law that allowed the shooter to buy his weapons with Executive Order 50 (http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Initiatives/ExecutiveOrders/pdf/EO_50.pdf).

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Not even close to the truth | # April 16, 2009 @ 9:55 AM — Flag Comment

No one is saying that she can not say doesn't have the right to say something D Sheehan. We are saying that her allegations about gun statistics are wrong and its in poor taste for her to do what she's doing. I am calling her an opportunist because it's been two years now, she needs to get off her cross, use the wood to build and bridge and get over this.

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Anonymous | # April 16, 2009 @ 9:57 AM — Flag Comment

So should gun laws be proactive or reactive?

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Anonymous, VA | # April 16, 2009 @ 10:09 AM — Flag Comment

First of all, I would like to offer my sympathy. It is a shame that none of the Gun Laws have not changed. Although stricter gun laws would help greatly, that is not the complete problem. As much as I support stricter gun laws, that would not resolve the problem completely. Campus security has been knocked up, not only at Virginia Tech, but everywhere also. Something should really be done about this situation. The first amendment to the Constitution offers many things to citizens, one of those being the Freedom of/to Petition. You might search for someone of the legal profession to legally create a ligitiment, certified petition. And, who knows, you might could change a couple of things. You never know until you try. Who's to say that this won't happen again? It will. Maybe not here, but one thing is for sure; something needs to be done.

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BS Detector | # April 16, 2009 @ 10:14 AM — Flag Comment

You know how I sense indoctrinated BS coming out of anti-gunners mouths? They all say the same thing. "NRA crowd", "how dare you clowns", "who was shot in the face", and "gets to say whatever she wants" (D Sheehan). These are all straight out of the anti-gun rhetorical quote-box, used to get ENRAGED by anyone who opposes them instead of actually talking fact. Listen, you anti-gun crazies, after today, your reign is over. It's been 2 years and it's time to move on - the BS Detector is strong in all Americans and we're sick of hearing your babbling!

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VT grad | # April 16, 2009 @ 10:19 AM — Flag Comment

Anon VA - what are you talking about? "Gun Laws" (why do you cap that??) HAVE changed are you blind? Look at RCP below! Look at the fact that gun laws on the books are 33,000 and INCREASING! This is why the "slippery slope" argument works - you prove it right here! You ignore any previous changes in favor of just pushing forward blindly. If you also look at other posters below, you see that gun ownership has increased significantly, crime has stayed the same/fallen, and that these recent shootings have NO connection to gun ownership. Wake up! Stop drinking the Kool Aid!

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Unbelievable | # April 16, 2009 @ 10:48 AM — Flag Comment

D Sheehan, how dare you make stupid assumptions about those of us voicing an opinion counter to Ms. Habtu. As a matter of fact, I AM a Tech alumnus. I’ve been drunk at TOTS / the Balcony / TOTS and Ton 80, eaten barbecue at Hokie House and rode the BT for free on my student ID card. I was as horrified as anyone two years ago as a nut job went on a rampage that will ensure the name of my beloved school will forever be associated with “gun massacre” by those who know nothing of Tech. As sincerely sorry as I am for Ms. Habtu’s ordeal, her voice is no more legitimate than mine or anyone else’s. Using your logic, I can’t have a legitimate opinion about immigration because I was born in the US, you can’t have a legitimate opinion on abortion because you (presumably) haven’t had an abortion and President Obama can’t have a legitimate opinion about the military because he never wore a uniform. If anything, her experience makes it more likely that her position is formed by emotion, not logic or facts. Want proof? Her crusade in this letter is about gun shows, though they had NOTHING to do with 4/16. NOTHING. She is an opportunist. She is using 4/16 as an opportunity to push her agenda.

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Unbelievable | # April 16, 2009 @ 10:48 AM — Flag Comment

D Sheehan, how dare you make stupid assumptions about those of us voicing an opinion counter to Ms. Habtu. As a matter of fact, I AM a Tech alumnus. I’ve been drunk at TOTS / the Balcony / TOTS and Ton 80, eaten barbecue at Hokie House and rode the BT for free on my student ID card. I was as horrified as anyone two years ago as a nut job went on a rampage that will ensure the name of my beloved school will forever be associated with “gun massacre” by those who know nothing of Tech. As sincerely sorry as I am for Ms. Habtu’s ordeal, her voice is no more legitimate than mine or anyone else’s. Using your logic, I can’t have a legitimate opinion about immigration because I was born in the US, you can’t have a legitimate opinion on abortion because you (presumably) haven’t had an abortion and President Obama can’t have a legitimate opinion about the military because he never wore a uniform. If anything, her experience makes it more likely that her position is formed by emotion, not logic or facts. Want proof? Her crusade in this letter is about gun shows, though they had NOTHING to do with 4/16. NOTHING. She is an opportunist. She is using 4/16 as an opportunity to push her agenda.

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Unbelievable | # April 16, 2009 @ 10:49 AM — Flag Comment

Again, the “NRA crowd” has no demonstration planned at Tech today. There will be no “clowns” lying in or standing up or jumping up and down demanding that Tech students be allowed to carry on campus. No, instead, they are respecting the day. Another Survivor (below) was also shot but has come to another conclusion. He believes in the right to protect oneself. He believes in self reliance. Yet he is not staging some infantile demonstration today.

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Chris | # April 16, 2009 @ 11:05 AM — Flag Comment

What a completely disrespectful article to write on a day of rememberance. I can begin to tell you how classeless this was. it doesn't matter whether your argument is valid or not, today is NOT the day to do it.. Way to honor your fellow Hokies Elita..

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John Osborne | # April 16, 2009 @ 12:07 PM — Flag Comment

Elita, I sorry about what happened to you. I am upset that the anti-gun crowd feels its OK to exploit you. I know that letter was written for you, then tastelessly published on a day that deserves respect. Their hidden agenda can only be achieved by lies, emotional appeals, theatrics and dirty tricks of all sorts. If they really cared about you (and us) they would lobby against tobacco, the biggest killer. It even kills 1000 children per year by second hand smoke. Mistakes by doctors kill more than guns. Those whose motives are pure start at the top of the list, not the bottom. Please sever you ties with them or they will make you the same sort of bad people they are. Again, sorry for your situation Elita, but there is no need to make it worse.

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Steven Miller | # April 16, 2009 @ 12:55 PM — Flag Comment

Elita, I'm sure that my response to your letter won't be received well, but I think you're being a fool. The April 16th incident was not the result of firearm ownership, but by Virginia Tech's failure to address a very disturbed young man before he went totally over the edge. I'm not saying that I believe concealed carry on campus by the student body on masse is a good idea. I AM SAYING that Virginia Tech failed to address a very serious situation as Cho descended into lunacy...and there were plenty of warning signs prior to that fateful day on April 16th. And yet, fast forward to today...and what has changed? Very little in terms of Virginia Tech's approach to security. The police department and campus watch radios remain ineffective because they haven't spent more money to upgrade the system. Campus watch stumbled around in the darkness at night as they patrol the campus..because the flashlights they carry are hardly bright enough to see by. Lt. Morgan and Chief Flinchum continue to make excuses, and the administration spends money on ineffective locking mechanisms on dormitory doors, and spends money in disgusting and gross un-necessary ways (such as additional clock faces on the Alumni tower) just so they can make a political statement.

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Steven Miller | # April 16, 2009 @ 12:56 PM — Flag Comment

Where did all the donations go following the tragedy VT? They certainly didn't go to improving the security situation there... guards remain untrained, the PD remains under-equipped... very little money is made available for example to the investigative unit.... and so VT remains in reactive rather then pro-active mode. In a word: Pathetic.

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Lisa | # April 16, 2009 @ 1:09 PM — Flag Comment

I am shocked and surprised by some of the responses I have read, if I remember correctly this is still America and I thought we all had the freedom of speech, but maybe not according to some of the things I have read here today. Elilta I am so sorry for all that you have been through in the past two years, I am sure your parents or any of the other victim's family thought they were sending you some place safe, that nothing this horrible would happen to you like this. Why are we turning on Elilta? She is a victim of a senseless crime that took the lives of 32 people and injured many more? The power of speech is a wonderful thing and can do amazing things so let her say what she wants, maybe for Elilta it is a part of her healing. I don't think we can imagine the horror she felt sitting in her German class being a witness to the dying and suffering that happened that horrible day two years ago today. Elilta I am sorry for your pain and I hope this will become a small insignifcant part of your life. This does not define you!! Best wishes to you and hopes for a bright future!!

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Not even close to the truth | # April 16, 2009 @ 1:14 PM — Flag Comment

No one is saying she doesn't have the right to say what she is saying we're just saying she's wrong and using poor judgment.

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VA citizen | # April 16, 2009 @ 2:20 PM — Flag Comment

You are thinking the wrong way. first off, even if the gun show loophole is closed it makes no difference, anyone can still get a gun. second, guns should be allowed to be carried on school by concealed gun permit holders, if that was the case than that wack job would have been shot and killed immediately and the massacre would have never come to be. you are a freakin' liberal and an idiot. stop your crying about gun laws! what a wanker!

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@Lisa | # April 16, 2009 @ 3:15 PM — Flag Comment

Did you actually read the responses? People are upset with her because: 1-she's using this day for a political agenda when others want to remember, 2-it was tasteless to do this when last year the student body rejected ALL protests, 3-she's spreading lies, and NO MATTER how bad of a life you've had you don't get a free pass to lie, and 4-she is just pushing emotion on everyone and not actually listening back. Before YOU go attacking others, try reading and understanding. And you know, my best friend was killed by a drunk.. does that give me the right to yell at everyone having a beer for the rest of my life?

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FL Hokie | # April 16, 2009 @ 3:50 PM — Flag Comment

People on this board need to stop the personal attacks on this girl. I disagree with her point of view, but this day should be a time for Hokies to unite not attack each other. She is more than entitled to her opinion, as all of us are. However, the CT's timing on the publication of this piece is very poor and irresponsible. The editors should be ashamed of themselves for publishing such a polarizing piece today. This should not be a day for pushing either side of the gun control issue. This should be a day for Hokies to come together and remember our fallen brothers and sisters and also celebrate what it means to be a Hokie

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Are you kidding? | # April 16, 2009 @ 3:55 PM — Flag Comment

@ FL Hokie- if you wonder why so many people are personally attacking this girl, it's because she's heading up a protest on our campus today. SHE is the one polarizing this campus. I agree that this is not a day for pushing either side of the gun control issue, but she is doing it, and that's why we have a problem with her.

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Thank you | # April 16, 2009 @ 5:37 PM — Flag Comment

Lily, despite the comments on here, I want you to know that the vast, vast majority of your fellow Hokies support you and the other survivors on this issue. Don't let a few loud people dissuade you. Thanks for being strong.

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You're welcome | # April 16, 2009 @ 5:47 PM — Flag Comment

Wrong. The LARGE majority of people opposed protests on campus last year, and these anti-gun groups are the only ones who did not listen. SHE is the one causing problems and is the one who requested this article be posted today. You're welcome, "Thank You," for straightening you out.

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You're welcome | # April 16, 2009 @ 5:49 PM — Flag Comment

Wrong. The LARGE majority of people opposed protests on campus last year, and these anti-gun groups are the only ones who did not listen. SHE is the one causing problems and is the one who requested this article be posted today. You're welcome, "Thank You," for straightening you out.

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Cindy | # April 16, 2009 @ 5:50 PM — Flag Comment

@ Thank you: how can you possibly speak for the "vast, vast majority" of students?? And where are those students? If they really care about this, why aren't they stepping up? The reason you hear these "loud" people is because they are passionate about what they believe in, and they believe that Elita and her fellow protesters are ignorant and misinformed. Wake up and look around; people are unhappy with how our university has and still is handling the security of its students, and we will not back down until we know that we can rightly protect ourselves.

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WTF | # April 16, 2009 @ 5:51 PM — Flag Comment

Thank you, who the eff are you to declare what the "vast, vast majority of ... Hokies" believe? Was there an election for Hokiespokeman?

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SGA member | # April 16, 2009 @ 5:52 PM — Flag Comment

I would just like to say that we passed legislation last year condoning any and all protests on April 16th. WE speak for the vast, vast majority of students, and the vast, vast majority of students did not want a political protest, no matter what the nature.

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HokieAlum | # April 16, 2009 @ 6:04 PM — Flag Comment

Wow. It seems "Thank you" just got biyotch slapped.

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Kyle Minor | # April 16, 2009 @ 6:10 PM — Flag Comment

Was that really condoning? Or did you mean condemning? If you really meant condoning, it doesn't fit with the rest of your statement, since it would mean that you would have explicitly supported something the majority of VT students didn't want. . .

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Haha | # April 16, 2009 @ 6:17 PM — Flag Comment

I believe 'SGA member' is also Miss Pakistan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1FUzW4Ouo4

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SGA member | # April 16, 2009 @ 6:18 PM — Flag Comment

I would just like to say that we passed legislation last year *condemning any and all protests on April 16th. WE speak for the vast, vast majority of students, and the vast, vast majority of students did not want a political protest, no matter what the nature. (Thanks Kyle)

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Anonymous | # April 17, 2009 @ 1:47 PM — Flag Comment

April 16 had nothing to do with HOW someone obtained a firearm. It was the events BEFORE the purchasing of the firearms. The process of getting him mental health assistance was flawed and that was why he was still here to do what he did. I am tired of people using this as a means to advance their own agenda. But alas, we will keep on hearing this stuff over and over.....

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Hypocrisy | # April 17, 2009 @ 2:52 PM — Flag Comment

I am a proud VT alum, a gun owner, and a growing proponent of logical gun control laws. Regardless of the above, the kind of hatred and disrespect being spewed towards this girl couldn’t be any more shameful. We all have the right to express our dissenting opinions, but the majority of this vitriol (passive and otherwise) bears no empathy for what this girl and other countless survivors of gun violence have gone through. Those of you who find it so distasteful for her to express her remembrance on 4/16 by advocating what she believes, you ought to take a look in the mirror and think about the type of person YOU are to tear her down because you don’t agree with her message. Her courage as an outspoken survivor is far more than I can say for most of you anonymous posters. How many of you would have the conviction to so boisterously express your opposition if you were face-to-face with Ms. Habtu… or a parent, child, sibling, relative to one of the 32 who lost their life? Very few I imagine.

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John Byrnes | # April 17, 2009 @ 3:29 PM — Flag Comment

Research has determined that from the Moment of Commitment (a student pulls their weapon) to the Moment of Completion (the last round is fired) is only 5 seconds. If a school district reacts to this violence, they will do so over the slain bodies of students, teachers and administrators. For a comprehensive look at the problem and its solution, http://www.aggressionmanagement.com/White_Paper_K-12/

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Ron Burgundy | # April 17, 2009 @ 3:47 PM — Flag Comment

Thanks for trying to peddle your BS for $33. You stay classy, John Byrnes.

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Ironical | # April 18, 2009 @ 7:47 AM — Flag Comment

"Her courage as an outspoken survivor is far more than I can say for most of you anonymous posters." Hey, jacka$$, unless your parents named you "Hypocrisy" (which would have made them Nostradamus like) then you're also posting anonymously. Hypocrisy. It isn't just for eponymous posters any more.

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Captain Obvious (aka Ironical) | # April 20, 2009 @ 12:06 PM — Flag Comment

Give yourself a pat on the back Mr. Ironical. You totally got me. I'm 100% a hypocrite for posting an anonymous post where I call out other anonymous posters for harassing and verbally assaulting a 4/16 victim. Thanks for trolling the message boards for people like me. You do us all a great service.

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Anonymous | # April 20, 2009 @ 1:22 PM — Flag Comment

Thoughts your way Lilly

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JG | # April 20, 2009 @ 4:01 PM — Flag Comment

Anyone who tries to take my rights away is not a friend, regardless of their personal experiences.

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Ironical | # April 20, 2009 @ 8:25 PM — Flag Comment

Being a 4/16 victim does not means she gets to advocate restricting Constitutional rights without expecting responses. I'm sorry for what happened to her but she doesn't get a lifetime free pass from criticism when she decides to insert herself into debate.

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Anonymous | # April 21, 2009 @ 8:18 AM — Flag Comment

You guys are idiots. I've never seen someone bashed so hard because they want to limit your ability to own a weapon made to kill. Go get a a life, you make all VT affiliated folks look like gun nuts. Also, no one is taking away your precious guns, we just don't want them in the wrong hands.

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Darren Nader | # April 21, 2009 @ 3:34 PM — Flag Comment

Keep fighting. These insensitive, incorrect, and anonymous cowards shouldn't dismay you. I'm a proud gun owner and a responsible one. And as a responsible gun owner I know there is no problem for me with closing the loophole. God bless you, Elilta.

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Ironical | # April 21, 2009 @ 7:03 PM — Flag Comment

Darren, you're clearly not paying attention to the debate. Habtu is being used as a pawn but those who want to outlaw all firearms. Yes, even yours.

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Impostor | # April 23, 2009 @ 8:40 PM — Flag Comment

Anyone who says they are a gun owner and support gun control is an impostor. If you've had to dance around 30,000 gun laws all your life, you would know that they do nothing to stop crime, only make your life hell for no reason.

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P. | # April 24, 2009 @ 6:51 PM — Flag Comment

The mere fact that so many of you are trash-talking this girl because she wants tighter gun control is absolutely disgusting. If you were nearly killed by something so accessible and careless, wouldn't you set out to try to have it so that it does not happen again? Keep up the good fight, Elilta. I join you in championing stricter gun control laws (NOT OUTLAWING THEM ENTIRELY). Calm the hell down, people. If you are a law-abiding citizen, stricter gun acquisition policies should have no affect on you. I salute you and your work.

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Q | # April 27, 2009 @ 3:53 PM — Flag Comment

Hey P, take your emotional cries elsewhere.. this discussion is for those with logic only. People are 'trash-talking' (a gross over-exaggeration) because they are USING their experience to advance a political agenda. How would you feel if someone came forward and said "I survived a shooting and I want more gun rights." You would probably write them off wouldn't you? Yup. Because you're just taking sides. And for the record, one post below you pointed out that 30,000 gun laws have done NOTHING to stop crime, INCLUDING 4/16. Wake up, you're being fed lies.

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Alumnus of VPI &SU | # August 21, 2009 @ 10:05 AM — Flag Comment

Guns kill. Eliminate guns period. All of them. Everywhere. I don't care if you think I am naive, outrageous, unconstitutional, or anything else. I don't even care if you agree with me. Any idiot who has the "they will pry it out of my cold dead hands" mentality is too cowardly and selfish to face the truth that the only purpose of a firearm is to kill efficiently. You want to hunt? Go hunt a bargain at Wal-mart. In our day and age, no one needs a firearm. NO ONE.

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Kohana | # November 8, 2009 @ 8:34 AM — Flag Comment

Greeting. There are always survivors at a massacre. Among the victors, if nowhere else.
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Thank you very much :o. Kohana.

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