Aurora shooting - Gun Control - Self Defense

Aurora shooting – Gun Control – Self Defense

In 1989, I packed up what few belongings I had and headed out to Colorado to go to law school at the University of Denver. My first apartment was in Aurora, my first job was in Aurora, I think my first girlfriend in Colorado was also from Aurora, but that was over 20 years ago, who can remember such things. What I do remember was that Aurora was a city filled with good, salt of the earth, hard working people. Not that any community should suffer such an outrageous act of violence, but I am particularly incensed that it was Aurora. Maybe it's because of my personal contact with that City or that I recall that I was particularly struck by how genuine and truly kind the people were there. It was such a contrast to some of the people I was used to dealing with on the East Coast. It is truly perplexing to me that this cruel and heartless person could target the people of this community. My heart and prayers go out to the families of the deceased, the injured and the entire community.

On July 23, 2012, Holmes was arraigned in Arapahoe County District Court before Judge William Sylvester who ordered Holmes, held without bond. He was accompanied by Tamara Brady, one of his public defenders. Having handled criminal defense cases in Colorado many years ago for less than savory people, I caution and implore the community not to direct any anger or rage toward Ms. Brady or any of the other Public Defenders. They are assigned cases like this without choice and charged with the responsibility of providing a defense no matter how heinous the crime or the defendant.

Tragedies such as this invariably always lead to heated and sometime acrimonious discussions about gun control and self defense. In the interest of full disclosure, I am a gun owner and have often said that the only choice an intruder would have at my house is whether I unload one clip or two. I certainly believe in my and other's right to possess a firearm to defend yourself and your family. Right now, I am struggling to reconcile this constitutional right with this senseless tragedy. Quite frankly, at this time I can't, it's just too raw and I am rightfully or wrongfully too resentful at this freedom that legally put these weapons in this person's hands.

I can't use this topic on this blog to promote myself or my practice, so I will not.

God bless Aurora and everyone who has been hurt by this tragedy.