Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
How can someone walk in Manhattan like that and no one took action? (Original Post) question everything 19 hrs ago OP
A lot of places you can carry an assault weapon Diraven 19 hrs ago #1
I am never surprised by most people's lack of observation sarisataka 19 hrs ago #2
This is actually the most important thing by far. PoindexterOglethorpe 18 hrs ago #4
Because 'Murica. RockRaven 19 hrs ago #3
Perhaps because he wasn't actually *walking around* NYC?.. Princess Turandot 18 hrs ago #5
Also, it's easy to think "somebody should have stopped him" before he walked into the building, but... LudwigPastorius 18 hrs ago #7
thanks. it probably is better to talk the real situation .. -(nt)- stopdiggin 17 hrs ago #8
Could have been ICE or something, who knows nowadays? Silent Type 18 hrs ago #6

Diraven

(1,475 posts)
1. A lot of places you can carry an assault weapon
Wed Jul 30, 2025, 11:28 PM
19 hrs ago

And it's totally legal until you point it at someone. Probably not Manhattan though. But people have been trained in this county to just ignore gun nuts.

sarisataka

(21,863 posts)
2. I am never surprised by most people's lack of observation
Wed Jul 30, 2025, 11:32 PM
19 hrs ago

Most are focused on their phones or some personal matter that they could miss a freight train.

Even if someone did notice, what would one expect them to do? Calling 911 is about the only sane option

PoindexterOglethorpe

(28,011 posts)
4. This is actually the most important thing by far.
Wed Jul 30, 2025, 11:59 PM
18 hrs ago

I'm old, as in trombones year old (think of the song) and I'm constantly amazed that people think their phones are the most important thing in their lives. They don't read books. They don't watch good documentaries. They just watch crap, or post endlessly on FB.

But yeah, in almost any big city in this country someone can walk the streets carrying an assault rifle.

The real question to ask is Why On God's Green Earth are people allowed to have assault rifles.

I only wish that all those who support such ownership are themselves or their loved ones killed or at least maimed by someone with such a rifle. The truly sad thing is that those murdered had nothing at all to do with him or why he thought it would be a terrific idea to shoot people.

RockRaven

(17,638 posts)
3. Because 'Murica.
Wed Jul 30, 2025, 11:35 PM
19 hrs ago

This is the country and society that Americans have chosen to have.

Every single vote for a Repug for any office in DC since 1980 has been a vote for this.

Princess Turandot

(4,876 posts)
5. Perhaps because he wasn't actually *walking around* NYC?..
Thu Jul 31, 2025, 12:03 AM
18 hrs ago

The guy drove to his chosen location, double parked his car in front of the building, and then walked about 110 feet across a small interior plaza to the building's doors.

(From Time via Yahoo)
Surveillance video, Police Commish Tisch said, showed that a lone male exited a double-parked black BMW outside the building between 51st and 52nd streets. He carried an M4 assault rifle in his right hand and entered the building’s lobby, where he opened fire on and killed an NYPD officer and a woman who was taking cover.

LudwigPastorius

(13,045 posts)
7. Also, it's easy to think "somebody should have stopped him" before he walked into the building, but...
Thu Jul 31, 2025, 12:36 AM
18 hrs ago

critics should consider whether they would have accosted a man with an assault rifle and a crazed look in his eyes.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»How can someone walk in M...