A 76-year-old Jewish-Romanian lecturer was hailed a hero after blocking his
classroom door long enough for many of his students to escape the Virginia
Tech gunman, before being shot dead.
Liviu Librescu, a Holocaust survivor, pressed himself against the door of the
classroom while shots were fired in the corridor and surrounding rooms. He
stood firm, attempting to barricade the door, while his students clambered
out of the windows.
His son, Joe Librescu, said in an interview from Tel Aviv that the professor
e-mailed his wife to say that he had prevented the gunman getting into the
classroom. However, the next e-mails received by the family were from
students in the class informing them that Mr Librescu had not survived the
shootings.
“My father blocked the doorway with his body and asked the students to flee,”
Joe Librescu said. “Students started opening windows and jumping out.”
Alec Calhoun, 20, from Waynesboro, Virginia, was one of the students to escape
from Librescu’s class. When they heard the screams and gunshots, he and his
classmates kicked through the screens on the second floor windows.
Mr Calhoun believes he was the last person to leave the room before the gunman
struck. “I must’ve been the eighth or ninth person who jumped, and I think I
was the last,” he said. The two students behind him and his teacher blocking
the door were shot according to Mr Calhoun.
Richard Mallieu, 23, from Virginia was another student watching an engineering
slideshow given by Librescu when Cho Seung-Hui began shooting in the Norris
Building. He admitted: "I don't think my teacher got out."
On the God Bless Virginia Tech blog set up by students while the massacre was
under way, one poster wrote of Librescu: “What a wonderful man, a survivor,
and a hero. He will be missed!”
Librescu was born in Romania only to be interned in a labour camp when it
joined forces with Nazi Germany in the Second World War. He was then sent to
a ghetto in the city of Focsani, although he avoided the fate of hundreds of
thousands of other Romanian Jews killed by the collaborationist regime.
He later found work at a government aerospace company but his career was
stymied in the 1970s because he refused to swear allegiance to the regime of
the Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
In 1977, according to his son, Israel’s then-prime minister, Menachem Begin,
personally intervened with Ceausescu to get the family an emigration permit,
and they left for Israel in 1978.
Professor Librescu had arrived in Virginia in 1985 for a sabbatical, but
decided to stay on as a teacher.
In a neighbouring building a British student, George Barnwell, 20, was also
able to send a message to his family. He was on campus with his British
girlfriend, Claire Harrison, while the shooting took place.
George’s mother, Jenny, said: “Both incidents were close to where they were -
the second was in the engineering building where George would often be.
Fortunately he wasn’t at the time. It makes you realise how fragile they are
when something like this happens.”
Mr Barnwell, from Birmingham, is on a year’s exchange at Virginia Tech from
Sheffield University where he is studying mechanical engineering.
Virginia Tech students set up various websites and online notice boards where
the names of the missing were posted. One by one names were ticked off the
missing list as friends sent messages confirming they were safe. More posts
implored readers to send information on their own missing friends.
The first name to be moved into the “Deceased” column was Ryan Clark, as the
hours passed more students were reported to have died, with accompanying
messages such as “RIP bud”.
Even the Virginia Tech online football forum became a medium for students
wanting the latest information on their friends and organising vigils and
marks of respect.
One blogger spoke to his girlfriend at hospital, who “still has a piece of a
bullet lodged into her hand, and has fractions on her index and pinky
finger. Right as she picks up the phone she tells me ‘I got red on me’.”
Praise God we live in a society where the President doesn't have the kind of power foreigners think he does. I'd hate to live in there countries where apparently democracy doesn't exist. Guns don't kill people, people kill people and even I, as a liberal democrat, understand and appreciate the right to bear arms.
Cho was apparently deeply disturbed and would have carried out his plan with or without guns. His family needs to be remembered in our prayers as well as the families of his victims.
Professor Librescu was not only a brilliant professor, but a man of character. Those who criticize his students for not intervening need to realize at 76 years old he wanted to give his students the chance to lead full and productive lives such as he did. He is a true hero and God will truly bless him for such a selfless act.
Dana, Memphis,
This amazing survivor deserves incredible respect and remembrance. He not only survived one of the darkest times in world history, but also invested years of his life sharing his knowledge and wisdom with his students. He died a hero's death.
To turn this death into some sort of commentary on gun control is dishonoring and ridiculous. No elderly, respected professor would carry a gun while he was teaching class. He defended his students the best he could--with his life.
In addition, to accuse the students at Virgina Tech of being cowardly shows incredible insensitivity. These students were being mowed down, for heaven's sake. They were sitting at desks with books in front of them, not ready for battle with guns in their hands. Let's not make this another commentary on the war in Iraq. The students at Virgina Tech have behaved like heroes by just picking up their lives and moving on.
J. Wright, Greenville, SC
Happy the man, and happy he alone,
He who can call today his own:
He who, secure within, can say,
Tomorrow do thy worst, for I have lived today.
Be fair or foul or rain or shine
The joys I have possessed, in spite of fate, are mine.
Not Heaven itself upon the past has power,
But what has been, has been, and I have had my hour.
Horace
Russ Howard, Manhattan Beach, CA
Not every liberal is anti-gun, by any means. Many of us hunt and/or target shoot. Indeed, some of us are college-educated professional women and proud feminists. My dad taught us to handle and respect guns. A political conservative, he was a peace-loving, religious, humble man, but also a World War II veteran who served in the South Pacific. My husband is a combat Marine Viet Nam veteran, also a political liberal and hunter and outdoorsman. Both of us pity the fool that tries to invade our home.
Louise (originally of Chicago), Pueblo, Colo.
Louise E Burg, Pueblo, CO
As many others have pointed out, the 2nd Amendment reads,"A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." The first part is always ignored by the gun lobby.
But the USA now has police forces, the National Guard, the FBI, an army, a marine corps, a navy and an air force. So this Amendent is totally redundant and needs to be scrapped.
Dave, Wrexham,
If the professor had been armed he could have killed him instead of blocking the door. The professor would still be a hero and he would still possibly be alive.
Why didn't anyone tackle this guy? Where were the young men to defend the elderly? Are we raising a nation of cowards? Oops, the real men are all in Iraq defending our nation.
C Phillips, Huntsville, AL
It was not guns that killed 32 innocent people, but the individual that pulled the trigger. If guns are not used other forms of slaughter will be used such as the human bombs utilized in Iraq. Typical liberal arguments blame the weapon, not the perpetrator.
For the arguments for gun control from those who clearly are ignorant about criminal behavior -- criminals do not care about laws. Killing someone with a gun is against the law. This law this did not stop Cho Seng-Hui from murder. Guns are banned from the campus of this school in Virginia. If students were armed there would not have been 32 innocent people killed. Virginia Tech is a gun free zone!
Third, one of the first things did was ban Jews from gun ownership. If the Jews had guns, six million would not have been slaughtered by the Nazis.
Only free people have guns slaves do not. Perhaps you Mark, Woking from the UK prefer your wonderful superior attitude in such a wonderfully responsible civilization
Gary, Kalispell, Montana USA.
okay, let's see, if we eliminate all guns we will be better off, right?
An evil person committed the crimes, end of story. Do you think that because he used a gun, banning them would prevent more evil from being perpetuated?
Explain this, why is Israel the one country where the citizenry is armed and these events don't occur? What would have happened if just one of the unarmed guards was carrying a weapon and properly trained?
Maybe I am just an "American", but doesn;t Britain have strigent gun control and didn't a school massacre still happen?????
Come on people, can't we just mourn the loss without blaming Bush? Why is this tragedy Mr. Bush's fault?
And since you obviously don;t realize it, our president can't just change a few words in our Constitution. Oh wait, if this was the EU, the gun control fairy could just make this all better......
Ann COmo, sacramento, California
The right to carry arms was not the issue; in fact, had anybody (a law-abiding citizen, perhaps) been ALLOWED to carry arms on campus, maybe 32 people would not be dead today. Gun-control laws seemingly apply only to criminals -- law-abiding citizens follow the law and don't buy guns, and become inviting targets for the criminals and crazies out there that couldn't care less about the law. As Larry Pratt of the Gun Owners of America says, "Isn't it interesting that Utah and Oregon are the only two states that allow faculty to carry guns on campus. And isn't it interesting that you haven't read about any school or university shootings in Utah or Oregon? Why not? Because criminals don't like having their victims shoot back at them." Statistically, more people are saved by guns each year than are harmed by them -- and those numbers would be even more lopsided if gun control laws were reasonable and our CONSTITUTION (not Declaration of Independence) were actually followed.
The Coach, Denver, Colorado, USA
The Right to Bear Arms was put in the Constitution to allow the citizens of the US to protect themselves from an unjust government if need be and is essential to the maintenance of a free nation. People should spend less time blaming guns and more time blaming the people who partake in these senseless acts.
Jeff, Attleboro, USA/MA
Mr. R Stenhouse it is OUR constitution you foreign elitist and Amendment II that many an American has died for, its our country and our laws. This has nothing to do with President Bush which of course anyone on the left hates. The right to keep and bear arms is in the DNA of made us what we are today and what allowed America to become a country and free us from England. Evil is evil and as we all know... you can kill many with just a set of box cutters if your evil enough to hijack a plane with a plan.. should we ban planes now? Its the sick mind of those that do evil not the tool they use whatever it may be.
Randall, Virginia Beach, VA
in response to mark in the uk: Lets see. In our religious zealotry we call on allah first, and forget our Christain heratige. Hmmm. Does not sound to zealous to me. Sounds more like the bigotry is coming from you. try to be more open to others cultures and beliefs! I live in the United States, and I have not found any contempt for less developed nations. as a mater of fact the nurse that trated me yesterday was from zambia, and we had a great time talking about it. Yet when I was in the navy I spent time on Diego Garcia owned by UK, and I've never heard more demeaning conversation about "under developed nations" than from your people. Does socially responsible mean dictatorships? Perhaps we should have allowed you the freedom to speak german after ww2, then we would have been more socially responsible.
Greg, Modesto, CA, USA
In response to Mark from the UK: You offer Europe and Asia as socially responsible civilizations? You talk about the US problems with social inequality, religious zealotry, and contempt of less developed countries? This from a country whose colonialism once spanned the globe? Who lead the world in slave trading? That today has huge problems with race relations and radical Islam? Which lily-white European country would you recommend? France, with its bloodless French Revolution? Germany, that spawned the holocaust? Which Asian countries would you recommend? China? Vietnam? Cambodia? Japan? Korea? What in the history of these or any other nations gives you such confidence that they could lead the world into "a more benign future"? What gives you such confidence that they have learned from their pasts and will not repeat their mistakes? The U.S. is not perfect, but the track record of the "civilizations" you listed doesn't give me much hope.
Ken, Independence, USA/Missouri
To all from anywhere USA and abroad who are critizing our Second Amendment Right (which by the way is in the Bill of Rights), if you feel that you can trust your fellow citizens and also you government then hooray for you. We here in the USA as you saw yesterday cannot trust our fellows citizens and if you think that I am silly enough to trust my government (especially the Liberal Left) then you are dead wrong! I will go to my grave defending my right and the right of every American who wants the right to bear arms. All of you who do not believe in the right of private citizens to own guns would do well to remember, " An unarmed society is a defenseless society against governmental tierrany and disturbed people like that young man who took 32 lives yesterday" Thank God that our Forefathers were smart enough to believe that man is not by nature good.
P. Patterson, Palestine, TX
Guns don't kill people, people kill people. Guns just make it a whole lot easier for them. Especially in the USA where any adult with no criminal convictions and some ID can purchase a firearm. That's a big chunk of the population who has easy access to guns. Here in Australia it's really difficult to buy guns, you have to be a registered member of a gun club. I know that there are other weapons around - if Cho didn't have access to guns he might've used some other weapons like knives or syringes but they might not have done so much damage. It worries me that the deadliest weapon is so easily accessible in the USA. People are saying they need guns to defend themselves - not so. If an intruder were to break into my house I'd be more comfortable knowing there is only a very slim chance that he has a gun and I'd be more willing to take him on (I keep a cricket bat and pepper spray at the ready, just in case).
chris, australia,
People say that everyone should be allowed to carry guns with them for defence. Would you feel comfortable sitting in a classroom, office building, subway train, restaurant or shopping mall knowing that everyone around you has a loaded gun? It doesn't take a psycho or a criminal to open fire on innocent people. Someone of perfectly sound mind who has just been going through a traumatic or stressful time could just as easily explode in anger and open fire. I realise criminals could still buy firearms illegally. But isn't it better to have a bunch of criminals with guns than to have two hundred million people with guns, some of whom would be young irresponsible youths who can't be trusted with weapons, some would be rival gangs who would use guns for more than just self defense, and then there are everyday civilians who could misuse their firearms if they can't control their anger or frustration, particularly when alcohol and drugs have been consumed. Yeah I can see how that'd be better.
freedomfighter, perth australia,
I don't think people are trying to label Professor Librescu by saying he's a Holocaust survivor and that all Holocaust survivors would do the same thing. I don't think that's what they meant at all. I think they're just saying that here is a man who has lived through one of the most horrific, terrifying experiences of the 20th century, only to die in his own classroom at the hands of a student. It seems so ironic, but the man is a hero nonetheless. His bravery should not go unrecognised. He saved his students and personally if I had been in his shoes I don't know if I'd have had the guts to do the same thing. My heart and prayers go out to all the victims' families, and Cho's parents too because people seem to overlook the fact that even though he did it himself and caused so many people so much heartache; they too have lost a son.
kel, at home,
What is it that leads one person to voluntarily and severely risk their own life for another's opportunity to live theirs? Why does it seem that there are more people from earlier generations than ours who are both able to weigh this situation and willing to choose "the good of the many" over self-interest?
If "doing good" requires perspective and optimism, let us each and all honor Librescu and his memory.
Blame not. Legislate less. Do more and better.
StepgBi, Hartford,
Thank you, Jason Barndon, in Perth... you've described it perfectly. The teacher who gave his life so his students could be saved... is a hero and example for us all to follow.
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle. -- Plato
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. -- Aesop
pat gator, e tx. piney woods, USA
I cannot think of a better way to die than at 76 saving the lives of others.
Neil 9% Growth, Glasgow, Scotland
Gun Control Law Helped Campus Killer
In January 2002, a student at the Virginia Appalachian School of Law, Peter Odighizuwa, shot three people dead before other students were able to retrieve guns from their cars and put an end to the carnage before there was more bloodshed. Over thirty victims at VA Tech yesterday were denied that right as a result of a campus gun control law that helped the shooter pick off his targets at will.
Already the gun grabber criminal huggers are screaming that, well, yeah, even though there WAS a gun ban on the campus of Virginia tech it didn't work because the gun ban wasn't BIG enough!
There is a total ban on heroin in this country. There is a total ban on cocaine, on ice, on crack. Yet the stuff comes into the country by the truckload and flows into the hands of criminals. A gun ban will be the exact same thing.
http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/april2007/170407helpedkiller.htm
Alfredo Rizzariso, Leesburg, VA
I live in Christiansburg right near Blacksburg where this took place. I had a friend in his class who said he saw his professor holding the door as he escaped from the window. What a hero this man is - at 77. Everyone here is still in shock from what occurred, we feel nothing but sadness now...
Aaron, Christiansburg, VA
It's fine to say tighter gun control won't stop criminals getting guns, but this Cho Seung-Hui wasn't a criminal - did he get his gun/guns legally? If so, this shows that having such lenient gun ownership laws can result in massacres like this one. Kids who shoot out their schools tend not to be criminals, and if they lived in the UK, they would find it difficult to get a gun - they might try the same thing with a knife, but I guarantee the numbers of dead and injured would be very, very much smaller.
Manda Bates, Jersey, Channel Islands
Whilst Israel marked Holocaust Memorial Day, it was perhaps, ironic that an Israeli Holocuast Survivor was the hero of the day in Virginia. He showed a very Israeli attitude in this action, and I hope the World give him true credit for this.
Ben, London,
It's even irrelevant that he was a holocaust survivor. It doesn't mean that other holocaust surviors would and will do the same.
Jerks, stop labeling people in this fashion!
Matei, new york, usa / ny
Who cares whether professor librescu was Israeli or Romanian? I am romanian and I know for a fact that Librescu is a romanian name, but that doesn't matter at all.
What matters is who he was as an individual: a hero, a brave person.
You jerks, stop using this tragedy to boost a certain country or another! It is irelevant what his originary country was.
Deep condoleances to his family.
Matei, new york, usa / ny
To "Who ARE these people" in Australia- You obviously don't have children. This man was a father who instinctively needed to protect his students. These were kids, not soldiers, and they were scared out of their minds. God bless this man, and God bless his family.
Kate, Alpharetta, USA
An alternative view: If you cannot remove the right to bear arms, and you have provision for a well regulated militia, then make the bearing of arms a duty. There is nothing like lugging a hefty bundook around a parade square at first-light on a winter's morning to de-romanticise firearms. Make every able-bodied man, and woman, carry a loaded gun - all the time! They will soon tire of it. Ask any Swiss.
Remember that Jesse James' gang met their Waterloo when they attempted to rob a small-town bank, and most of the adult population opened fire on them.
The present system does not work - this just might.
Richard Cooper, Dunstable, England
E, Manchester, wrote:
It's the constitution that allows the bearing of arms - but to the militia - not to every citizen"
Not quite right: the militia act of 1798 stated
that every citizen (landed) was *required* to be armed;
the full citizenry *was* the militia
es, cleveland, oh
The tradegy has left many questions to solve. America should take precautions for the lives of its university fellows. This condem must be taken care of. The question is " Where he found the ammunition and why was'nt he suspected."
America being a super power should confine these immoral and unethical behaviours as it matters other lives as well.
Have Peace!
Syed Haq, karachi, Pakistan
When Houston passed the concealed weapons permit law, the crime rate dropped overnight. If you make guns illegal, only the criminals will have them. How will we protect ourselves then? This has absolutely nothing to do with economics, and anyone who would say such a thing is a moron. With all the shootings and terrorist acts these days, I say arm EVERYONE. People will be much less likely to attack a building full of armed students.
Sunnie, Great Falls, Montana, USA
Gun control is not the answer. Better screening of purchasers of guns. Background criminal, credit, etc. If a person is in this country on a visa of any type, The background check should be even deeper. We have to remember the constitution says we have the right to bear arms. That doesn't mean short sleeve shirts. Gun control only means that the criminals, gangs, and crooks will still have guns. Don't let this country become a nation with laws that do not allow self protection. That is protection of one's self, home, and family. A tragedy of this magnitude could have been prevented. One did address her concerns regarding the killer. Nothing was done due to complacency and fear of the laws, legal repercussions. It is complacency that needs to be eliminated, not guns. All we can do now is pray for the souls that were lost and those that mourn their loss.
Steve Houghton, Bowling Green, USA/Ohio
In Australia there are very strict gun laws against law abiding citizens (amongst the strictest in the world). Every year we have gun murders. Surprise, surprise, these murders are carried out by people that are criminals. Criminals don't follow the "no gun rules" and so they then kill people (illegally-shock-horror!!!) who do follow the "no gun rules". No matter if you outlaw every gun on earth that will not stop murders because criminals buy guns illegally anyway. The only people that are defenceless are the honest citizens. The anti-gun control freaks use circular reasoning ,ad-infinitum ,to disarm only those willing to follow the law: the only people that should have guns.
"Gun control" uses the same reasoning as "car control" or "water control": if we ban all cars there will be no more drive by shootings and if we ban water then there will be no more drownings. Get a grip control freaks. We banned murder but people still murder. Ban idiots and laws inhibiting self defense
jason barndon, perth, west australia
Re: Many comments below.
How about the world lets America keep their guns, their social inequality, their religious zealotry, and their contempt of less developed nations - and instead looks towards the more socially responsible civilisations in Asia and Western Europe to lead mankind into a more benign future.
As an aside: Rest in peace Mr. Librescu. Your sacrifice for those you care about brought tears to my eyes.
Mark, Woking, UK
"Greater love hath no man than he lay down his life
for his neighbor."
Frances, Gaffney, SC, US
Virginia Tech. believed they can do well without the Prince of Peace...so the prince of wrath freely entered the campus and had his way.
"what is peace and who created it?"
sunia, compton, calif/usa
Professor Librescu grasped the situation quickly, maybe because of his past, and he told his students to jump out the windows while he blocked the door. He is someone to be proud of.
As far as the gun debate goes, there were 2 incidents - one a shooting in a Utah mall, the other a shooting in a Maryland college, where bystanders who had a gun put a stop to it. I don't know if that would have stopped the carnage at Virginia Tech, but the alternative is either loads of campus police and metal detectors, or just to be killed en masse.
Marvin Cohen, Irvington, NY
50,000 people lost their lives in the US last year because of traffic accidents. Obviously, we need to ban automobiles, not drunk drivers, druggies and fools! Long live the Second Amendment!
John Adams, Port Orange, USA/Florida
R Stenhouse from scotland. How about doing a little study before commenting on issues in the US. The words of the DOI do not give the right to carry arms. Many more people are killed by cars than guns. Does that mean the right to drive is wrong?? Alcohol is involved in more deaths than guns. Do you want to ban alcohol?? Please stick to facts rather than emotion. There is a much deeper problem and until we get back to teaching that there is a right and wrong and make people responsible for their actions, this type of behavior will only continue to get worse.
BJ, Tulsa, OK, USA
He was an Israeli lecturer, NOT Romanian. Is it so upsetting to your paper to acknowledge an Israeli hero?
steve comins, swampscott, massachusetts
What character Americans have - leaving a 76 year old Holocaust survivor to sacrifice himself to a bloody and violent death while they all jump out the window. Me, me, me. Oh, and "WM. Ly" - the opposite happened in Australia re gun control following the Port Arthur Massacre. Maybe your President could do something about that. Or perhaps not enough guts?
whoAREthesepeople?, Australia,
If there had been more guns on the campus, people could have protected themselves and shot back. Oh what fun, we could have had a Hollywood Western style shootout!
Richard, Manchester,
I just don't understand how anyone can think that outlawing guns will prevent crime. It isn't the law abiding citizens that are shooting and killing innocent people... It's the criminally minded and if they have it in their head to kill, what makes anyone think that they will hesitate to break a gun ban law.
American's had better wake up and smell the coffee!
Cyndi , San Antonio,
Second comment:
Lev, yes, how sad that a man with his devastingly sad beggining should come to such an end. BUT, after his descendents come to terms with his loss, what a wonderful legacy to leave them. Their father, grandfather, and one day great grandfather was: a holocust survivor, a success in later life, and in death so unselfish that he puts nearly all other sto shame.
Alan Moroney, Brighton, England
First, the right to bear arms is not in the Declaration of Independence, but is guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. Many states issue conceal and carry licence, including Virginia, which allows private citizens to carry a pistol out of sight. However, concealed weapons are not allowed on school campus. The individual who murdered so many was not concerned with laws against murder, why would he be concerned about violating weapons laws? If the carrying of concealed weapons by licenced individual was allowed on campus, there is a very good chance an instructor or student would have stopped this individual before so many were killed.
Wayne Fortune, sweetwater, USA / TX
Let me offer a little background information on the US Constitution's Second Amendment.
To understand the Constitution you must read the Federalist Papers, where the details of the Constitution were worked out. In Federalist 29 and 46 the right to bear arms is essentially described as the right of an individual to protect himself and his family and the collective right of the citizens to protect themselves against the government. The militia described in the late 18th Century consisted of armed citizens who could be called upon in times of trouble. The Founding Fathers and Alexander Hamilton in particular knew that law abiding citizens should be allowed, even encouraged to own weapons. I'm fairly sure that Mr. West wouldn't agree but I'll side with Mr. Hamlton every time.
As far as Professor Librescu dying in a dark way I totally disagree. He died a brilliant death. We all must die, he chose death in mortal combat protecting the young students he obviously cared deeply for. Bravo
Gary, St. Louis, USA
The reactions here are typical. Don't blame the person, blame the guns. Why don't you people blame the person that committed the murders, instead of the instriment they used? What if he had set fire to the buildings and killed them--would you want to ban matches? It's a proven fact that banning guns only increased crime. Criminals feel safer, knowing that they won't get shot. I know--I am a former Washington, D.C. police officer. The District has the toughest gun laws in the country, but it also has the highest crime rate in the country.
Dick Smith, Arlington, VA / USA
To Karin,
Britain's total ban on private ownership of fireams has resulted in doubling of violent crime by criminals who have guns. What makes you think that violent people are that way as result of good people being able to protect themslves?
David, Brule,
If we make it illegal to carry a gun, only criminals will have them. What is the result of criminals with guns among the unarmed? We just saw that. 76 year old heroes who have to hold a door shut so that others can flee.
Keith Walker, San Antonio, Texas
In the words of one of our most iconic founders of This Republic, "Those who would sacrifice liberty in the pursuit of safety shall have neither." B. Franklin
The USA is not like Europe or the UK. There's a different mindset over here, We know there are times when the government is feckless (Katrina), and other times when we must confront evil directly (flight 93). The discussion now is rightly-centered on whether VT's campus-wide gun ban was ill-conceived.
BTW, the second amendment to the US Constitution can be confusing: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Most gun control zealots like to focus on the "well-regulated militia" part, but the US Supreme Court has finally and correctly ruled that this is an individual right to self defense, and defense against tyranny. (It's not about hunting.)
Larry, California, USA
Stenhouse, when guns are outlawed only outlaws will have guns. When you strip away any means of self protection from individuals that is the time that societies predators emerge to prey on the defensless. The two that come to mind are criminals and dictators. Please compare the increase in gun crimes in the U.K. and Australia AFTER gun control to what you had before and maybe you will understand what a knee jerk reaction it was to outlaw self defense.
caneman, Gainesville, Florida, USA
Unfortunately the gun lobby response is already being used.
" If all of the students were carrying guns, they would have been able to defend themselves"
Just how many annual deaths would result from that kind of thinking is not considered.
paul towson, bristol, u.k.
It's the constitution that allows the bearing of arms - but to the militia - not to every citizen and this was included as a way to insure the government could never become a dictatorship (althout it hasn't stopped Bush) and it is not the President that can change the constition - it takes an act of congress.
E, Manchester,
Mr Jensen, had Virginia tech had metal detectors and X-ray machines at entrances to the university to enforce this ban, things might have been different. Had they also had a Virginia Tech Police Officer present with orders to shoot on the spot ANYBODY carrying a gun on campus, things would have been different.
Alan Moroney, Brighton, England
This will degenerate into a an argument on the american right to bear arms. Before people wildly start stating 'facts', does anyone actually know the stats on gun related crime in the US versus the UK. I lot of people posture their opinion but there don't seem to be any verified facts.
Elizabeth Pearson (a POM), Sydney, Australia
If some of the students, or at the very least the professors, had been allowed the right to bear arms on-campus, someone could have stopped that lunatic. Taking away the right to bear arms only puts the innocent in more danger, as there is still the problem of illegal gun trade on the blackmarket -- therefore innocent ppl would not be able to defend themselves against ppl who are still able to get weapons illegally.
Kay, TX, USA
Actually he was Israeli.
Andrew Chapman, Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Ban ownership of guns please United States, before more of these shocking tragedies happen again...
Karin, ann arbor,
As an American I have to agree with your view that there is a need for gun control and gun accessibility in the US. Many will oppose this and many more, unfortunately, will die because of this opposition. To those that state the right to bear arms is in the Constitution, I will remind that it is also written in the Constitution in its very first paragraph, the preamble: "We the People of the United States, in Order to ...insure domestic Tranquility, ...promote the general Welfare, do...establish this Constitution ." If you cannot provide for domestic tranquility and promote general welfare, then you necessarily have to amend the constitution and this has been done several times in the past. It is a pity that economic interests weigh more than the lives and welfare of the citizens.
Maria Martinez, Miami, Florida, USA
Truely horrific. God Bless you all in Virginia. Lorna London UK
Lorna Smith, London, London
As an American citizen, I am again ashamed that I live in a country where firearms are so readily available. It is time the people of the United States woke up and realized that the "frontier days" are long over. The right to bear arms was specifically tied to having a well-regulated militia. The arms at the time of the drafting of the Constitution were single loaded pistols or smoothbore long arms. Under no reading of the constitution is there the right for handguns, assault weapons, explosive bullets, etc. In America, nobody is trying to take rifles away from licensed hunters. It is only right-wing Republicans and the NRA that keep real regulation from happening to remove assault weapons once and for all. My prayers go to the friends and families of the murdered students and teachers. Unfortunately, I do not see America ever changing.
Scott West, Chicago, USA/Illinois
@ Wm.Ly, Winston-Salem, NC USA
Gun deaths have been dropping in the UK since the gun laws were tightened up
http://www.gun-control-network.org/GF07.htm
You guys just don't get it.
Steve Logan, Norwich,
Professor Librescu's life is an inspiration - I never met the man, and it's my loss. I'm just glad to know that heroes still exist. It's tragic that he survived the Holocaust, only to be gunned down by some disturbed young man. Condolences to the family from the bottom of my heart.
Carolyn, San Francisco, CA
I read with great emotion the heroic act of Professor Librescu in saving his students at the cost of his own life. In these days of growing disconnect and dissent between the teacher and the taught, it is incidents like these (tragic though they are) that reassure us that old values of leadership still live. What the Professort did is no less in valor than a soldier laying down his life in teh battle field. May his family have the courage to cope with the calamity.
Narayana Raghupathy, Norwood, Massachusetts
The number of deaths have simply conclusively proved that violent crime will occur in such magnitude regardless of the gun laws of the State. The only way the murders would have been reduced if there were responsible Citizens armed and ready to deal with such threats.
If Professor Librescu had been armed maybe he wouldn't be being posthumously honored a hero. But his selfless actions nonetheless qualify him as one.
May he find peace in the afterlife.
Chris Choy, Singapore, Singapore
Silly scot!
You have two places: one is in a U.S. location (we'll call it Washington, D.C.) and the other place is...oh....how about Switzerland.....
One has lots of guns (and not so much gun control), and the other has lots of guns and lots and LOTS of gun control.
Which place sees lots and lots of gun-related murder?
Hmmmm.
TL Banfield, Redmond, WA / USA
HaMakom yenachem etchem betoch sha'ar aviley tsiyon
virushalayim. May the EverPresent One comfort all who
mourn Liviu Librescu, together with all the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
His memory will be for a blessing.
Rachelle Tupper, Auburn, Maine
Truely horrific. God Bless alll involved and their families
Lorna Smith, London, London
Please remember it is the intent that needs to be feared...the greatest loss of life in the USA in recent history was accomplished with fertilizer and gasoline (Oklahoma) and airplanes (9/11) Shall we ban them as well? As for the sacrifice of the professor remember that there is no greater love than for one to lay down his life for another. May God have mercy on our sick world.
Penny Thompson, Pensacola Beach, Fl.,USA
@ Kyle Boston - "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."
That means that the right to bear arms in the context of a WELL REGULATED MILITIA. Which, last time i looked, didn't include selling guns to idiots. Why does your gun laws not respect this fundamental phrase in the constitution. Well regulated? Militia? Na, just sell them to anyone with a few bucks. "Hey it's our right".
US gun deaths - around 30,000 annum
UK gun deaths - around 200 per annum
The facts talk - go figure.
Steve Logan, Norwich,
It was the PERSON not the object that committed this crime - Would a middle eastern style suicide bomber be any less or more tragic. SICK PEOPLE KILL not the guns.
Quit serching for a political agrument - This is PERSONAL TRAGEDY - all of this blame is worthless and misplaced.
Look at the killer and BLAME HIM - I now ask how many lives might have been saved had another armed citizen been in the vicinity?
I do not own a gun, but I believe in your right to make that choice for your self.
CHOICE - what a word - now add FREEDOM and LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST.
PRAY FOR THESE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES!
Please wait for the facts before passing judgement.
Dick Brown, Annapolis, USA
The actions of this professor moved me to tears, he is a true hero and an exceptionally brave man throughout his life who taught his most valuable lesson in his final moments.
Conversations about gun law won't bring people back, and bold reactionary measures will not prevent future incidents.
We should act as a supportive, compassionate community in times like these That is the only way to move forward.
Eve Ainsbury, boca raton, FL
The life of Professor Librescu illustrates that academicians are not merely academic, they are often more engaged than aloof. What a wonderfully courageous human being.
Michael Motta, Marshall, Michigan
He certainly was a hero and my prayers go out to his family. Stenhouse, the right to bear arms is essential to freedom and there will never be a reason to take away this constitutional right from the American people.
Kyle, Boston, USA
Its time to wake up. A world which does not care for individuals and is focussed on materialism is doomed by greed, anger and chaos.
We must return to Gandhi and his teaching lest e we persih by madness or gloabl warming or something else!
Arvind Kumar, Patna, India
God bless this professor and all those who suffered during this tragic event.
Demetrius Pinder, Newark, DE
Let's return to the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob!!!! Fear God and remember the commandments
Martha, irvine,
Mr. Stenhouse-You may not know that Virginia Tech has a gun ban. Had someone there been allowed to carry a concealed weapon, maybe more lives would have been saved. Total gun control laws have proven (yes, even in Europe) to fail to stem the tide of crime. Crime will always exist. The question is how to protect yourself from it.
L Jensen, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
What a contrast to the killer. But with USgun laws it is no surprise.
Ben, York,
It is worth noting that Mr.Librescu was a Holocaust survivor who was forced into hiding by the Nazis as a teenager because he was Jewish. It is so so sad that such a bright life had to come to an end in this dark way.
Lev , Brooklyn, NY
He certainly was a hero and my prayers go out to his family and the families of the students affected by the tragedy. "R. Stenhouse" from Scotand; there will never be a legitimate reason to take away the constitutional right to bear arms from the American people.
Kyle, Boston, USA
Cannot hold my tears after reading this article. Being an aerospace student, this aerospace professor really taught me something, even I never be to his lecture. I really pray that he could get his final peace in his heaven.
Maria, Beijing, China
It is noteworthy that Mr. Librescu was a Holocaust survivor who was forced to hide from the Nazis as a teenager because he was Jewish. It is so so sad that his bright life had to come to an end in this dark way.
Lev , Brooklyn, NY
This professor suffered through events in his younger years that would have left most of us bitter against our fellow man. Yet, he ended his life, not alienated from mankind, but by sacrificing his life for others. What a hero.
I would like to point out to R. Stenhouse that the American President does not have the power to change the Constitution. I would hate to see how many of our leaders might be tempted to change the basic rights guaranteed under our constitution -such as freedom of press- if it was so easy to do.
deb, spring lake, nc
It won't be this presdient. The National Rifle Association gloated with his appointment.
sarah alderdice, miami, florida
What a brave man.
Tracey, Washington, DC
Firstly the right to bear arms is in the Constituion, not the Declaration of Independence, and secondly, a president doesn't have the power to amend the Constitution. BTW: Have you noted how gun crime has gone up significantly in the UK since the implemenatation of strict gun control laws? Maybe your Prime Minister could do something about that.
Wm. Ly, Winston-Salem, NC USA
It's a remarkable account of how someone's bravery has saved the lives of so many students, in what had been so far an event of madness, hysteriaand selflessness.
Tragedies such as this always bring out the best and worst of society.
Scott Bryan, Fordingbridge, Hampshire
It is also noteworthy to mention that Professor Librescu was a Holocaust survivor and died of heroic efforts the day after Holocaust Remembrance Day..
David Friedlander, New York,
the professor was a holocaust survivor, isn't it ironical and sad that he was murdered on the holocaust rememberance day, after all he went through to be murdered in such a sensless way.
michelle, jerusalem,
How about a brave President changing the words of the declaration of independance after the number of deaths have conclusively proved that the right to carry arms is wrong.
R Stenhouse, edinburgh, scotland
I am sure Professor Librescu would prefer to be remembered an Israeli national not as a Romanian. The Librescus are Rumanian Jews who came on aliyah (immigrated to Israel) in 1978 – after then-Prime Minister Begin interceded on their behalf with the Rumanian government. In addition he was a Holocaust survivor Trust the British press to downplay or delete anything positive about Israel or Israelis.
Sam Green, Jerusalem, Israel
Whay happens this in the universitys , because this institutions is not longuer a place for "educare" where the live of de peoples is care . The way of life with the capitalisme not promote education , promote money and this place are very unfrenly and oposity to humanisme the studiants lose her dignity there that is the pro blems and the most vulnerables explosen . Attention Use with the sistemmes social you belive is this the cause of this dead. you promoting dead not live . I am very sorry for alls of this
tolocam05 , london, england
Sounds like this man is a candidate for the civilian equivalent to the Medal of Honor!!! I hope there is more acknowledgment of this man's bravery and sacrifice!
Mark Beardsley, Kevil, Kentucky
I am sure Professor Librescu would prefer to be remembered as an Israeli national rather than as a Romanian. The Librescus are Rumanian Jews who came on aliyah (immigrated to Israel) in 1978 – after then-Prime Minister Begin interceded on their behalf with the Rumanian government. In addition he was a Holocaust survivor. Trust the British press to downplay or delete anything positive about Israel or Israelis.
Sam Green, Jerusalem, Israel