| Updated: 12/13/2012 2:27 pm |
Published: 12/12/2012 3:48 pm
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We now know the name of the masked man dressed in camouflage that opened fire in a shopping mall near Portland, Oregon.
Police say Jacob Tyler Roberts was armed with a stolen semi-automatic weapon when he stormed the mall on Tuesday.
FOX23 did some checking and neither Woodland Hills Mall or the Promenade allows open carry holders to bring their guns inside. Tulsa police say it’s a good thing it would allow them to pinpoint who a shooter is if this were ever to happen here. However, local gun advocates say it puts them more in danger.
Kirby Ellis is a local gun advocate and firearms instructor. He proudly open carries his weapon, but wishes that more public places like malls would allow it.
"By carrying a firearm it actually gives us a chance to protect ourselves in ways if the police are not available or they could be moments away,” says Ellis.
In light of the recent mall shooting near Portland, Kirby says not allowing him to carry his weapon inside only puts him and others more at risk.
"With the policies in place that don't allow people to carry firearms in the mall, the only thing they really could do is try to seek cover and wait for the police to get there,” he says.
We checked with Tulsa Police to find out how often they train for an active-shooter situation.
“As a department, we train on a yearly basis for situations like this that involve an active shooter, and our officers actually do their own training at individual divisions with supervisors as well,” says Tulsa Police Officer, Jillian Roberson.
Police recommend doing these things if you are ever at a mall and someone starts firing a gun. First, take cover and hide as quickly as you can. Then try and get a good description of the gunman for police. Finally, be a good witness and make note of where you are and where the shots are coming from.
"Well, currently the law allows people to go to these places and leave their firearms in their vehicles, and if there was an opportunity for them to get to their vehicle, they might be able to protect themselves on the outside,” says Ellis.
Police say in a mall shooting situation, there is no time to wait and would immediately send officers in to get the suspect rather than doing a stakeout.
Open carry advocates are holding a gathering this Saturday at Knotty Pine in Broken Arrow. It starts at noon.
