Why no guns?

[WarGamer]

Last edited Mon Feb 15, 2021, 02:40 PM - Edit history (1)

Think of this as Devil's advocacy... or more accurately, wargaming.

Just like I'd ask "Why did/didn't Rommel reinforce the Cotentin Peninsula in May 1944"?



Why didn't the rioters bring guns to the Capitol? Were they "dead enders" seeking a political statement? Were they seeking an actual coup, taking over the Gov't like the military in Myanmar? Were they looking to "frat boy" inside the Capitol?

Here's my opinion, after thorough analysis.

I don't think this was a coup attempt at all. The motivations varied by the individual. SOME of the rioters certainly would have torn a Congressperson to shreds if they had the chance. But reports from inside the Capitol actually show many rioters walking between the velvet ropes as if they were on an 8th Grade field trip.

Look at the damage to the Capitol. Relatively light damage, no arson. They did less damage to the Capitol than the jocks did to the nerds dorm in Revenge of the Nerds.

Again, IMHO... I think they wanted to disrespect the gov't, not kill it. They wanted to humiliate and sully our national institution while demonstrating strength and impudence.

To circle around to the top... why no guns?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Guns are strictly prohibited in DC

and the rioters knew that. They didn't want to get arrested before they could even get close to the Capitol.

[WarGamer]

4. and that's stopped these people... when?

If they planned on shooting up the Capitol, they wouldn't have risked bringing the guns a few miles past a border?

[Mattgoetznolovefromm]

2. You're kidding,or just disingenuous

My guess is the latter

[WarGamer]

5. Try entering the discussion.

[Wawannabe]

3. I believe their are charges

Detailing a cell phone gun for one of the indicted.

If I can find it I will post.

This is a very devilish topic...

[WarGamer]

6. The DU Appeal system really works...

This thread was wrongfully removed a few days ago and is now back up again...

[WhiskeyGrinder]

7. I think they did, but weren't organized enough to use them effectively. They didn't see themselves

as troops working together; each was waiting for someone else to start shit.

You can do better than your rape metaphor, btw. Language of sexual violence out of context can be hurtful to some readers.

[WarGamer]

8. good and fair point... updated.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

10. Thanks for rethinking it.

[WarGamer]

12. Poor word choice.

Wanted to say they did a vile and violent thing but didn't want to kill.

I come from an era where the "r" word was used frequently in debate.

[Hekate]

9. DU has a Gungeon for you

You might like it

[WarGamer]

11. Would this post be relevant there?

I'm not debating the effect of Gun buybacks, I'm analyzing the motivation of the Capitol Riots.

[MineralMan]

13. I'm pretty sure they didn't, because they knew they would

end up dead. As long as nobody had guns, guns were unlikely to be used against them. If they had come fully armed, the outcome would have been very different. As it was, one woman rioter was shot and killed inside the building. Had the insurrectionists show up with firearms, the response would have been much deadlier.

Besides, they were probably told directly from the White House not to bring firearms for exactly that reason and so they could pretend they were "peaceful" protesters.

In any case, they did not bring them and casualty numbers among the rioters were very, very low. More evidence that this was intricately planned in advance.

I think you are overthinking this or "something."

[WarGamer]

14. what's the "something"? Just curious.

[MineralMan]

15. You would know better than I.

So, I'll let you think about it for a while.

[WarGamer]

16. Your first statement was accurate

Thanks for the discussion.

[MineralMan]

17. I'm not discussing anything.

Neither are you, apparently. You have "thoroughly analyzed" the situation and have formed some sort of opinion. I will leave you to it.

[aikoaiko]

18. Some did, as I understand it. And, based on social media, some were there to do grave harm

We were lucky that the legislators were scurried off to safety.

All it would have taken is one yahoo with a gun, knife, or weapon to kill a legislator and it could have set off mass casualties with that mob.

But to your point, I think most were there to violently rise up against the senate to delay the certification process and scare senators, but most probably weren't ready to literally die on that hill.

[jmg257]

19. Some did - they got arrested. DC don't screw around.