Could the Deadliest Shooting in the US History Lead for Ban of Muslim Migration?

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On Sunday, Donald J. Trump reiterated his controversial call for a temporary ban on Muslim migration to the United States. The Republican candidate for U.S. President also criticized Hillary Clinton for what he claimed was her desire to “dramatically increase admissions from the Middle East.”

“I said this was going to happen — and it is only going to get worse,” Mr. Trump said in a statement, arguing that he had warned of the growing terrorist threat in the United States.

Trump made the remarks amid the reports about the attack on a gay nightclub in Orlando where at least 50 people were killed and 53 injured by an attacker, identified as Omar Mateen, an 29 y.o. Afghan descent, a Muslim. Before the attack Mateen already was in the the FBI watch list of Islamist extremist sympathizers. 

During the shooting Omar Mateen called 911 and stated allegiance to the ISIS terrorist group. He used a handgun and AR-15-type rifle in the shooting spree and was killed in a firefight with the police.

A Colt AR-15 M4 Carbine, at the Firing-Line, a specialty firearms store in Aurora, Colo., Dec. 13, 2012.
(MATTHEW STAVER/NYT)

This rifle typically holds about 30 rounds at a time in a magazine.  The attacker had to reload numerous times in order to inflict the observed amount of violence. In other words, one man with a riffle was trained enough to do kill 50 people, injure 53  and oppose the police and SWAT for a significant amount of time.

Omar Mateen was an employe of the US subsidiary of G4S plc, a British multinational security services company, whose US-headquarters are located in Jupiter, Florida. It’s the world’s largest security company by revenue.

Omar Mateen was licensed as a security guard and holds a firearms license, despite had been on a terrorist watchlist.

G4S officially confirmed that Omar Mateen has worked for the company since 2007:

“We are shocked and saddened by the tragic event that occurred at the Orlando nightclub. We can confirm that Omar Mateen had been employed with G4S since September 10, 2007. We are cooperating fully with all law enforcement authorities, including the FBI, as they conduct their investigation. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the friends, families and people affected by this unspeakable tragedy.”

According to Orlando Police Chief John Mina 11 Orlando police officers and 3 deputy sheriffs exchanged gunfire with the gunman, attempting to stop him. One of the officers was hit with a bullet in a helmet made of Kevlar.

Main developments of the attack:

• The attack at a guy club “Pulse” began around 2 a.m. and the shooter took hostages for about three hours;
• Police rammed the outside wall of the club about 5 a.m. with an armored BearCat vehicle and set off a “controlled detonation” to distract the attacker;
• Policemen engaged in a firefight with Omar Mateen and killed him.

An Orange County Sheriff’s Department SWAT member arrives to the scene of a fatal shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando on June 12. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP)

The terrorist group ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack thourgh its media outlet “Amaq.” However, the brief statement didn’t provide any details about the attack and there were doubts that this attack had been masterminded or coordinated from ISIS HQs in Syria or Iraq.

However, there are no doubts that the attack had been inspired by the ISIS propaganda messaging. ISIS propaganda has been encouraging so-called lone-wolf attacks and claiming responsibility for them on a constant basis.

Although the violent attack in Orlando has been attributed directly to ISIS, some presidential nominees made statements hammering down on the availability of firearms in the US. The idea was strongly supported by some media and activists.

However, these actions and a clear ingorance of the destructive policy in the Middle East, that fuels the Islmaist terrorism, only consolidate the Republican electorate around Donald J. Trump.

After a deadly December shooting rampage in San Bernardino, California, the Republican front runner already called for a temporary ban of Muslim migration to the United States. On June 13, he repeated his call.

Now, it looks that the US Establishment and mainstream media have nothing to answer on these suggestions instead of blaming Trump and his supporters. However, this is the way to a dead end. If the real mesasures preventing terrorists are ignored [Omar Mateen was in the FBI list of Islamist supporters (!)], the “controversial” attitude of Trump could easliy become the mainstream.

Tip: NRA = The National Rifle Association of America

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