Terror group names Mall of America as target

[Cedar Park Dad]

thats what i was thinking of.

[VMI77]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nairobi_mall_attack

On 21 September 2013, unidentified gunmen attacked the upmarket Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya. The attack, which lasted until 24 September, resulted in at least 67 deaths, including four attackers. Over 175 people were reportedly wounded in the mass shooting, with all of the gunmen reported killed.

The Islamist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the incident, which it characterised as retribution for the Kenyan military's deployment in Somalia. Many media outlets also suspected the insurgent group's involvement in the attack based on earlier reprisal warnings it had issued in the wake of Operation Linda Nchi from 2011 to 2012.

Why wouldn't a terrorist group perceive the Mall of America to be as good a target as the mall in Nairobi, if not better?

[chuck j]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nairobi_mall_attack

On 21 September 2013, unidentified gunmen attacked the upmarket Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya. The attack, which lasted until 24 September, resulted in at least 67 deaths, including four attackers. Over 175 people were reportedly wounded in the mass shooting, with all of the gunmen reported killed.

The Islamist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the incident, which it characterised as retribution for the Kenyan military's deployment in Somalia. Many media outlets also suspected the insurgent group's involvement in the attack based on earlier reprisal warnings it had issued in the wake of Operation Linda Nchi from 2011 to 2012.

Why wouldn't a terrorist group perceive the Mall of America to be as good a target as the mall in Nairobi, if not better?

They would , great soft target . One or two guys wearing dynamite suits with ball bearing inner liner on each end of the Walmart cashiers section on a Saturday would give them very desirable results , see how many folks go to Walmart or any where else after the smoke cleared . Plus they will pick targets with elderly , women and children................shock and awe !

[Keith B]

They would , great soft target . One or two guys wearing dynamite suits with ball bearing inner liner on each end of the Walmart cashiers section on a Saturday would give them very desirable results , see how many folks go to Walmart or any where else after the smoke cleared . Plus they will pick targets with elderly , women and children................shock and awe !

Wouldn't work. Everyone knows that rednecks shop at Walmart and rednecks carry guns. They want some place where there would be no resistance.

Just try and get between a redneck and his buying a case of beer on the weekend when NASCAR is on and the threat would be over real quick!

[powerboatr]

ok
i stand corrected...
seems there is a huge Somali population in the area of the mall of America.
and the al shabababbba guys are trying to ONE UP the issis devils
they feel the somali population will turn and go rough terrorist to help them with their jihad .
so isis proclaimed they will strike ROME
and the all shababbbaaay guys want to attack our soil first and then ensure we blast them first with a neutron bomb

[Cedar Park Dad]

They would , great soft target . One or two guys wearing dynamite suits with ball bearing inner liner on each end of the Walmart cashiers section on a Saturday would give them very desirable results , see how many folks go to Walmart or any where else after the smoke cleared . Plus they will pick targets with elderly , women and children................shock and awe !

Wouldn't work. Everyone knows that rednecks shop at Walmart and rednecks carry guns. They want some place where there would be no resistance.

Just try and get between a redneck and his buying a case of beer on the weekend when NASCAR is on and the threat would be over real quick!

There is wisdom in these words.

[Keith B]

The Mall of America is a 'Gun Free Zone' per the signage. A Minnesota State Representative is asking them to remove the signs
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/201 ... a-gun-ban/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[philip964]

There was something this morning on TV that the Mall of America threat is being promoted, to scare the Republicans from stopping the Homeland Security funding.

The police and security cannot be everywhere all the time. The only defense is citizens who CC.

[gljjt]

Read "Soft Target" by Stephen Hunter. This is a fictional account of a terrorist attack on... wait for it..... The Mall of America. Pretty good read.

[Abraham]

If terrorists target malls located below the Mason/Dixon line, they'll find we shoot back...

However, Mall of the Americas is located in one of the uber liberal, least citizen armed states. Perhaps, it'll be a wake up call that being defenseless isn't such a great liberal idea after all if a terrorist attack occurs there...but then, maybe the terrorists just want to shut down the mall and consider a devastating economic attack more affecting than killing people...

Plus, from what I read, Minn is heavily populated with Muslims, who're overall just as peaceful as any group, but within them lies the seed and core of Jihad...so yes, an attack could take place.

I love the admonition: If you shop at MOA "be careful." Wow! There's some helpful advice...

[thatguy]

The Mall of America is a 'Gun Free Zone' per the signage. A Minnesota State Representative is asking them to remove the signs
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/201 ... a-gun-ban/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

We saw signage there last year but it's my understanding of Minn law that you must also be told verbally in addition to signage?

Secondly, I'd ask has anyone made a fight plan other than escaping?

[mojo84]

Yep - I'm using you for cover.

Yes, I'm kidding :) kinda...

If not for cover, a decoy or distraction.

[Keith B]

The Mall of America is a 'Gun Free Zone' per the signage. A Minnesota State Representative is asking them to remove the signs
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/201 ... a-gun-ban/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

We saw signage there last year but it's my understanding of Minn law that you must also be told verbally in addition to signage?

Secondly, I'd ask has anyone made a fight plan other than escaping?

Well, there is case law stating that you have to also provide verbal notification to prosecute for trespass

State of Minnesota in Court of Appeals A07-131 (Click Link for Full Ruling. Pg. 9 & 14)
Edina Community Lutheran Church, Respondent, Unity Church of St. Paul, Respondent, vs. State of
Minnesota, Appellant.
Even after making a reasonable request that guns not be brought onto the premises, and even if that
request complies precisely with the terms of the statute, the owner or operator of a private
establishment must also order a person who refuses to comply to leave the premises, before that
person can be prosecuted for petty misdemeanor trespass. Minn. Stat. § 624.714, subd. 17(a). In
addition, the gun possessed by the trespasser is not subject to forfeiture. Id.; cf. Minn. Stat. § 609.531,
subds. 1(b), 4 (2006) (weapons subject to forfeiture).
_______________________________________________

,

however, the law states the sign is all that is needed

Subd. 17.Posting; trespass. (a) A person carrying a firearm on or about his or her person or clothes under a permit or otherwise who remains at a private establishment knowing that the operator of the establishment or its agent has made a reasonable request that firearms not be brought into the establishment may be ordered to leave the premises. A person who fails to leave when so requested is guilty of a petty misdemeanor. The fine for a first offense must not exceed $25. Notwithstanding section 609.531, a firearm carried in violation of this subdivision is not subject to forfeiture.
(b) As used in this subdivision, the terms in this paragraph have the meanings given.
(1) "Reasonable request" means a request made under the following circumstances:
(i) the requester has prominently posted a conspicuous sign at every entrance to the establishment containing the following language: "(INDICATE IDENTITY OF OPERATOR) BANS GUNS IN THESE PREMISES."; or
(ii) the requester or the requester's agent personally informs the person that guns are prohibited in the premises and demands compliance.
(2) "Prominently" means readily visible and within four feet laterally of the entrance with the bottom of the sign at a height of four to six feet above the floor.
(3) "Conspicuous" means lettering in black arial typeface at least 1-1/2 inches in height against a bright contrasting background that is at least 187 square inches in area.
(4) "Private establishment" means a building, structure, or portion thereof that is owned, leased, controlled, or operated by a nongovernmental entity for a nongovernmental purpose.
(c) The owner or operator of a private establishment may not prohibit the lawful carry or possession of firearms in a parking facility or parking area.
(d) This subdivision does not apply to private residences. The lawful possessor of a private residence may prohibit firearms, and provide notice thereof, in any lawful manner.
(e) A landlord may not restrict the lawful carry or possession of firearms by tenants or their guests.
(f) Notwithstanding any inconsistent provisions in section 609.605, this subdivision sets forth the exclusive criteria to notify a permit holder when otherwise lawful firearm possession is not allowed in a private establishment and sets forth the exclusive penalty for such activity.
(g) This subdivision does not apply to:
(1) an active licensed peace officer; or
(2) a security guard acting in the course and scope of employment.

So, looks like the verbal must be provided as well before you get a $25 fine.

[mojo84]

I could deal with that fine. Small price to pay if it ever became an issue.