09 JAN 2017: Much of the vitriolic rhetoric coming out of the US election last year focused on the second amendment. The National Rifle Association (NRA) and the Republican candidate whipped followers into a frenzy that the right of Americans to “bear arms” or own guns would be stripped from them if even the most common sense regulations were applied to buying weaponry – that people on the no-fly list be constrained from buying guns, that basic background checks be put in place, or that the purchase of assault weapons be restricted. Is it any wonder that incidents such as Friday’s slaughter at Ft. Lauderdale airport, are becoming increasingly common.
This was not the first, second or third, run in alleged gunman, Esteban Santiago, has had with law enforcement – and when it comes to his having a firearm – the situation borders on the ridiculous.
Police Chief Chris Tolley in Anchorage, Alaska, detailed the encounters with Esteban Santiago at a news conference Saturday:
1. Jan. 11, 2016: Physical disturbance reported, arrest warrant for criminal mischief issued for Santiago.
2. Feb. 23: Santiago arrested, found in violation of terms of his release at an address to which he was restricted.
3. March 18: Physical disturbance reported. Officers could not establish probable cause for an arrest. Tolley did not provide further details.
4. Oct. 15: Domestic violence/physical disturbance reported. Officers investigated but a prosecutor did not authorize an arrest. Tolley did not provide further details.
5. Oct. 21: Allegation of strangulation reported. Investigating officers established no probable cause for an arrest.
6. Nov. 7: Police called to Anchorage FBI office for a “mental health crisis” involving a man having disjointed thoughts, Tolley said. Investigating agents told officers Santiago arrived asking for help, was having “terroristic thoughts” and believed he was being influenced by the Islamic State. He was admitted to a mental health facility. A gun, found in Santiago’s vehicle outside the office, was held by police for safe keeping, Tolley said.
7. Nov. 17: A letter was sent to Santiago about picking up his gun.
8. Nov. 30: Santiago tried to retrieve his gun, at which time the Anchorage FBI was notified and contacted Santiago at the police station. Santiago did not leave with the gun, Tolley said. He provided no details as to why, except that matters were “re-co-ordinated” with the FBI.
9. Dec. 8: The gun was released to Santiago.
10. Jan. 6: Authorities say Santiago opened fire at the Florida airport, killing five. They have not said whether the gun used was the same he retrieved a month earlier.
And that’s not all. The New Jersey born, Puerto Rico raised, 26-year-old Santiago, is an Iraq war veteran.
• He was sent to Iraq in 2010 and spent a year there with the 130th Engineer Battalion, according to Puerto Rico National Guard spokesman Maj. Paul Dahlen. He later joined the Alaska National Guard.
• The Pentagon said Santiago had gone AWOL several times during his stint with the Alaska National Guard and was demoted for unsatisfactory performance and given a general discharge, which is lower than an honourable discharge.
• Bryan Santiago said Saturday that his brother had requested psychological help but received little assistance. Esteban Santiago apparently said in August that he was hearing voices.
• “How is it possible that the federal government knows, they hospitalize him for only four days, and then give him his weapon back?” Bryan Santiago said.
Esteban Santiago is now facing federal charges and possibly the death penalty.
By all reports the weapon was legally his and he legitimately checked it in on the flight. Then he retrieved it killed five people, injured six, and left thousands of travellers stranded and terrified.
You may wonder, aside from the fact that the shooting occurred at an airport, what this has to do with travel – the answer is – it has to do with everything!
As incident after incident and body after body piles up, the US persists in its dangerous, irresponsible and ludicrous refusal to enact any legislation that would keep weapons out of the hands of those who should so obviously not have access to them.
When rich and powerful associations can influence lawmakers and citizens to enact laws or vote in ways that strengthen that association, but defy common sense and the safety and security of all citizens and all visitors, then we can only sit back in anticipation and dread and watch the carnage.
The shooting was captured on video and released by TMZ on YouTube. It is distressing to see how easily he did it.
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 Second Amendment (our italics)