USCCA Statement on Minnesota Terrorist Attack

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 19, 2016

USCCA Statement on Minnesota Terrorist Attack
“Concealed Carry Should Be Part of the Conversation in Mall Attack Aftermath”

WEST BEND, WI – Tim Schmidt, President and Founder of the U.S. Concealed Carry Association, today made the following statement regarding Saturday’s terrorist attack at the Crossroads Center Mall in St. Cloud, MN:

“The thoughts and prayers of myself, my family and the members of the USCCA across the country are with the victims of this terrible attack. By all accounts Officer Jason Falcone is a hero and even though he was off-duty, he put himself in harms’ way to protect and defend others.

“As the investigation of the circumstances surrounding this attack unfolds in the days ahead and we discuss ways to try and prevent future attacks, it’s my hope the critical role of concealed carry rights can play in incidents like this will be part of that conversation.

“Gun free zones’ are essentially advertisements to evil-doers of soft targets where citizens will not have the ability to fight back. We don’t know if an ordinary citizen with a concealed carry permit could have stopped this attack earlier because firearms and other weapons were expressly banned by mall policy. But we do know the loss of life was prevented because an armed, law-abiding citizen ignored that policy and stepped forward to defend those who could not defend themselves.

“This should not be ignored in the aftermath of this attack as we look at ways to keep America safe in the face of rising threats.”

BACKGROUND:
The media has noted over the last 24 hours that St. Cloud, Minnesota mall in which the September 17 mass stabbing occurred is a “gun free zone.” The mall–Crossroads Center–has a “Code of Conduct” that expressly forbids “firearms or illegal weapons.” There are no reports on whether there were any concealed carry permit holders who were present when the attack occurred but were unable to defend themselves due to mall policy. Fortunately, the attack was stopped by an off-duty officer who carried his gun with him, the “gun free” policy notwithstanding.

About the USCCA:

The U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) provides self-defense education and training to responsible American gun owners. Headquartered in West Bend, WI, the USCCA is the largest and fastest-growing association whose sole focus is the responsibly armed American.

###