A Final Journey

Fairfax Police Detective Vicky Armel was laid to rest earlier today in a solemn ceremony. An estimated 4500 officers, many from out of town, attended. The service itself took place in the heart of Fairfax county at McLean bible church, followed by the procession to the cemetery some 50 miles away. Over 700 vehicles and motorcycles participated. Along the way, Armel paid one final visit to the police station where her life ended so abruptly last Monday.

Meanwhile, the 18 year old shooter's parents continue to refuse to talk to police. They are in seclusion somewhere, and their only communication has been two statements issued through their attorney. But what really makes this case so frightening is that the seven guns (including the AK-47) carried by the killer--as well as the nine other firearms found in his home afterwards--were all apparently legally owned. Even worse, Fairfax county Prosecutor James Horan says that at this point, it doesn't appear that the parents have done anything wrong.

Huh?

What the hell is wrong is wrong with the laws of this country if a mentally unstable teenager is allowed to own guns? Or the family, for that matter? Granted, in one of their statements the parents said that the weapons were locked up and that their son must have broken into the cabinet. But that explanation still begs the question of why the hell these people had 16 guns in their house in the first place. It's the suburbs, for God's sakes! It's not like you routinely get grizzly bears and packs of wild wolves wandering through the backyards of the townhouse development.

Even the AK-47 machine gun used in the attack may have been legal. A ten year ban prohibiting the sale of such assault weapons was allowed to expire in 2004 thanks to President Bush, the Republican controlled Congress, and the National Rifle Association.

More links:

"Thank You, Detective"--How Vicky Armel helped one man's son.

Photo gallery: Community Mourns Fallen Officer