“‘That’s what makes this country what it is — that you can walk into a local meeting and talk to your elected officials,’ she said. ‘You can’t walk into the state House or a courthouse with a gun. But it’s not that way on the local level.’” – Brentwood, PA, municipal manager, George Zboyovsky

Last week’s shootings at a municipal governmental meeting has brought a slew of articles about this phenomenon. Here are articles from four sources:

1. Municipal officials in Western Pennsylvanit optimistic, cautious about security against violence” – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
2. “Officials in Berks ponder possibility of violence at meetings” – Reading Eagle
3. “Local municipal officials say potential for violence isn’t new concern as they react to fatal meeting shooting” – Harrisburg Patriot-News
4. “Ross Township, Pa., shooting draws differing opinions on municipal meeting gun bans” – LehighValleyLive

“The rear of the Bath School after the May 18, 1927 bombing. – Wikimedia Commons”

History’s shown that violence against institutions is a plausible threat. School shootings and actions against establishments by fringe individuals represent real and plausible threats. The tragic incident at the Bath school 86 years ago shows that. 

“They that are on their guard and appear ready to receive their adversaries, are in much less danger of being attacked than the supine, secure and negligent.” – Benjamin Franklin