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Being Shot Gave This Columbine Survivor Strong Views on Gun Control — Here’s Why He Opposes More Restrictions

Feb. 19, 2013 8:51am

This article is part of a series on Guns in America that explores the use of firearms in our country and the debate over gun control. This is an editorially independent series sponsored by Tactical Firearms Training Secrets.

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Evan Todd will never forget the day that Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris burst into Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., intent on killing. How could he? He was the first student shot in the library during a massacre that claimed 12 students and one teacher and went down as one of the worst school assaults in U.S. history.

Since that terrifying day, Todd has been active and open about his views on social and political issues, including gun control. But rather than fight against weapons, he’s been vocal that he doesn’t believe firearms are the culprit. In fact, the survivor is so staunch that he tells TheBlaze he’s come to view gun control as “a theory that creates an illusion of safety, but unfortunately has devastating consequences in reality.”

Columbine Survivor Evan Todd

Columbine survivor Evan Todd (Photo Credit: Evan Todd)

Todd is joined by many others like Mark Mattioli, the father of a six-year-old Sandy Hook victim, Dr. Suzanna Hupp, a surviver of the “Luby” shooting massacre in Texas, and Richard Hoover, another survivor of Columbine, who also believe that restrictive policies are not the answer to stopping America’s violent rampages.

However, following large scale shootings, there’s traditionally a movement — especially among survivors — to call for increased legislative crackdowns. In fact, the history of U.S. firearms laws shows that the move for additional regulation has generally been a reaction to specific violent events.

On April 20, 1999, 12 students and one teacher were killed inside Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo. The perpetrators, Klebold and Harris, were disgruntled students who had their hearts set on taking lives — a feat they so tragically succeeded at accomplishing. Today, Todd, who was shot inside of the school’s library, is a public speaker and advocate who regularly addresses social issues, including violence and the treatment of others, with audiences both young and old.

Todd explained that he sees increased regulation as only helping to curb guns among the law-abiding.

“It is evidently clear that gun control does not hinder the determined murderer from achieving their goals, whether that is at a school, a church or synagogue, or a movie theater,” he said in an e-mail interview with TheBlaze, going on to reference many of the murderers who have been responsible for some of the most recent and memorable acts of violence. “Thugs in Chicago do not care about the laws on the books nor did Harris, Klebold, Lanza, Dorner, Holmes, Cho, Hasan or any other of the criminals hell bent on murder.”

Rather than hampering criminals, Todd argues that new taxes, regulations and gun control measures actually do the opposite of what they intended. He believes that the law abiding suffer and are increasingly unable to protect themselves as a result of these policies.

Some may be surprised by his comments. After all, Todd is a victim of the Columbine massacre — an individual who lost numerous friends to gun violence. However, he told TheBlaze that his experience has shaped his views in support of the Second Amendment.

Todd also explained that guns had always been a part of his life — another factor that colors his views.

“At summer camps I would shoot skeet and trap with 12 gauge shotguns. In the backcountry of New Mexico I learned how to shot fifty caliber black powder rifles and flintlock pistols,” Todd said of his younger years. “In my free-time over the summers I would join with friends to take part in shooting competitions using everything from 22-caliber rifles to high powered rifles like the 30-06 and 300 Win Mag.”

Columbine Survivor Evan Todd

Credit: AP

The Columbine survivor said that, despite all of this exposure to guns, he never once thought about murdering someone. Guns, he noted, shouldn’t be blamed for crimes, as it is the character of the individuals who choose to commit murder that should be scrutinized.

In 1999, prior to the event, he was only 15-years-old and hadn’t given much thought to firearms control, but that soon changed.

“The one thing I learned from Columbine pertaining to gun control is that it is highly political,” he said. “When I actually educated myself on the issue it became increasingly clear that the gun control lobby and the politicians that share those views are in fact creating more problems than they solve.”

Not only is Todd vocal that he believes gun control simply doesn’t solve the problem, but he also sees restrictive policies as being potentially dangerous. In fact, he believes that gun control, if continuously progressed, will erode peoples’ right of self-protection and will lead to a scenario in which Columbine-like incidents could unfold more regularly on a national level.

“Criminals and murderers love defenseless people and they are enabled by the laws that create such environments,” Todd added. “Gun control is a blessing to those who wish to do evil and deadly to good people.”

Rather than targeting guns and law-abiding citizens, Todd believes that there’s another, more pertinent area for lawmakers and the general public to target: The nation’s lack of respect for life. He explained that politics have prevented schools and society as a whole from teaching the inherent dignity that every man, woman and child possesses, lamenting this as a potential cause of the chaos that has ensued.

“There is definitely a lack of respect for life and for political reasons schools and society at large have decided not to teach about the dignity of each and every man, women, and child,” he added, going on to note that evil truly exists and that it plays a role in the events that unfold in today’s society.

Todd believes that violence is best kept at bay by teaching young people about respect, particularly when it comes to human life, liberty and property. Teaching right from wrong and good versus evil infuses morals and values into young minds and inevitably helps to craft individuals into well-refined citizens, he argues. Additionally, he also wants to see gun-free zones banished and believes that parents and teachers have the right to protect themselves and their students.

As for the Second Amendment, he reveres its tenets and contends that it is vital to ensuring America’s freedom both at home and abroad.

“It is a deterrent for enemies abroad as well as tyrants at home. The Second Amendment isn’t a dictate from government — it is a statement to government,” he said. “It is a statement that says people have the right to defend life, liberty, and property from whomever wishes to unlawfully take it from them.”

Todd is well aware of President Barack Obama’s views on gun control. When asked what he would say to Obama if given the chance, he had many thoughts. From decrying universal background checks and claiming that they will have “many devastating effects,” to dismissing the proposed ban on military-style assault weapons, Todd was candid. Clearly disagreeing with increased control mechanisms, he implored Obama to “do the right thing — restorm freedom and save lives.”

Recent events have brought Todd’s feeling about these issues to the forefront, particularly following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in December. Considering his own experience, TheBlaze asked him how he reacted when he first heard about the rampage.

“All I can say is truly sad, sick, and angry,” he said. “I still think about that community and pray for them regularly.”

Columbine Survivor Evan Todd

Credit: Getty Images

Of course, it is this incident that not only brought memories back to Todd, but has also sparked a national debate about firearms control. And Todd isn’t alone in his rejection of increasingly restrictive laws. As noted, Mark Mattioli, whose six-year-old son James perished inside of Sandy Hook elementary, agrees with Todd’s assessment.

In a speech that subsequently went viral, the grieving father, who ended up receiving a standing ovation, said that he believes in “simple, few gun laws” and that there are already “more than enough on the books.” Mattioli maintained that “the problem is not gun laws” and that the regulations already on the books simply need to be enforced.

Then there’s Suzanna Hupp, who has advocated in support of concealed carry since she survived the “Luby” shooting in 1991. Her parents perished during the restaurant attack, leading Hupp to become an outspoken advocate for firearms, as she maintains that easier access to guns would have stopped the killer before he killed 23 innocents.

And Richard Hoover, a friend of Todd’s who also survived Columbine notes that the event reinforced his views that citizens should have the right to bear arms. Hoover said that he likes the idea of teachers having the right to carry. As far as legalities go, he told TheBlaze that Klebold and Harris had no regard for gun laws when they went on their rampage, breaking numerous regulations to carry out their attack.

“If you disarm citizen[s] then when [an unstable person] does obtain a weapon, gun control just prevented law abiding citizens from protecting themselves and there families,” he said.

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Here is the first installment of our Guns in America series sponsored by Tactical Firearms Training Secrets:

For more stories on firearms regulations, visit our Gun Control special section.

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Comments (45)

1 2
  • 54smom
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 2:55pm

    Great article Billy H. These young men have seen the enemy, and its not the gun. Gun control is a feel good issue. “I am protecting you from yourself” ie climate change, health care, the list goes on and on.

    Report this comment

    54smom  
    • turkey13
      Posted on February 19, 2013 at 4:56pm

      We can thank the Athiest for all the gun shootings in schools. Madoline Ohare is the reason. Before we took God and prayer out of school you never hear of this kind of behavior. We now have 40 + years of kids that haven’t been to Church or heard a prayer. They only invoke Gods name when cussing. Here in S. Oklahoma we had college student kill a friend because he wanted to feel what it felt like to take a life. When I was in School we started the day with a prayer and God was mentioned many times. A sports game wasn’t started until a prayer was said.

      Report this comment

      turkey13  
  • AmericaMustBeFree
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 2:27pm

    Hey Glenn, whats with the crappy ad where you cut the bra off the lady.. is The Blaze now selling porn! I am disgusted!

    Report this comment

    AmericaMustBeFree  
    • akmoosepoo
      Posted on February 19, 2013 at 3:33pm

      FYI, your browser history dictates what ads you see not Glenn Beck. He is a pretty powerful journalist but not that hipicritical, just saying.

      Report this comment

      akmoosepoo  
  • WalterShumatelives
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 2:06pm

    If more people start to wake up like this guy, America will be OK after all.

    Report this comment

    WalterShumatelives  
  • xyzzy
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 2:04pm

    A very cogent discussion with someone so young.

    Report this comment

    xyzzy  
  • smalltowner
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 12:47pm

    Gun control is about disarming the public. Period.

    Report this comment

    smalltowner  
    • AmericaMustBeFree
      Posted on February 19, 2013 at 2:25pm

      Disarming them where no one will be able to protect themselves from criminals who will never be disarmed.. and most of them will be working for the US government! All the more reason to be reaching out to our military..

      Report this comment

      AmericaMustBeFree  
  • sinner-saint
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 12:29pm

    Most people who have been shot/shot at before wished to God that they had a gun in their hands gto defend themself at the time. I’ve been shot at three times times by three different criminals on three different incidents committing criminal offenses and boy, I would have given anything at the time to have a gun to protect/defend myself from them. I was very very fortunate that I wasn’t hit, that I was able to “dodge” the bullets and that I’m alive today.

    These gun ban/control freaks are crazy insane people. All I can say is that they have a death wish for themselves as well as others. Guns don’t kill people….people kill people…..and crazy insane people sometimes use a gun to kill people. I’ve never seen a gun kill/injure a person. I’ve seen people killed/injured by other people using a gun…or a knife, a baseball bat, a car, a bottle or some other object.

    Gun ban/control advocates are crazy insane people who are suicidal, homocidal or both. They are just as sick, mentally unstable, crazy, and insane as a crazy insane mass killing shooter is, these people are very very dangerous mentally unstable insane people. They do not value their own life nor the lives of others. They have a mental defect that will either kill you or get you kileed. Their natural human survival instincts are all screwed up and don’t work right at all. Screw all of them them and the horse they rode in on. They can all go to hell & die as far as I’m concerned. I like living and being

    Report this comment

    sinner-saint  
    • Slipstick
      Posted on February 19, 2013 at 1:18pm

      As long as the Libs continue to blame an inanimate object (the gun) rather than the lunatic misusing it, these incidents will continue. Hoplophobia, like all such disorders, is an *irrational* fear. When the guns are all gone, they’ll be out protesting baseball bats and kitchen knives. I cite Great Britain as a case in point. These folks *will not* allow themselves to be reasoned with.

      Report this comment

      Slipstick  
  • RaydocX
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 11:56am

    and the MSM will muzzle any reporting of this… silence any description where guns save innocent lives, while pushing the failed policies of this administration and the out of touch Left legislators in states across the nation.

    Report this comment

    RaydocX  
    • TurboCat
      Posted on February 20, 2013 at 6:23am

      Piers Morgan the Slimy Limey will never have these guys on his show.

      Report this comment

      TurboCat  
  • starviego
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 11:43am

    The big secret about Columbine is that there were more involved than just Harris and Klebold. Don’t believe me? Just ask the eyewitnesses:

    http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/columbineeight.php?q=columbineeight.php

    Report this comment

    starviego  
  • 2GodBeTheGlory
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 11:30am

    Another Billy Hallowell “special report”.

    “Todd also explained that guns had always been a part of his life — another factor that colors his views.”

    Just like Billy to be colored by his views.

    Why is he even at the Blaze? Does anyone know?

    Report this comment

    2GodBeTheGlory  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 11:27am

    The day private citizens have no guns we are not a “free” people any more.

    Report this comment

    Jenny Lind  
  • CulperGang
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 10:56am

    http://planet.infowars.com/resistance/columbine-students-father-12-years-later

    Control freak liberals are becoming boring. YOU don’t want a gun. Don’t get one. Leave others alone.

    What part of “Criminals WILL GET ONE,period, do these whinny liberal punks don’t get.”
    Crimminals DON’T ASK YOUR PERMISSION. The law means zero to them.
    Example: Barry and Holder sold guns illegally causing deaths around the world. The law means zero to them.
    All you liberal whinners should protest the gun running activities of the Obama administration, not harassing the law abiding gun owner.

    Report this comment

    CulperGang  
  • dnewton
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 10:37am

    Why would any victim of gun violence want to assure that in the future, another such event would make them re experience the same helplessness? I some times wonder if all of this gun control mania is a form of mass Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome that is experienced by casual observers?

    Report this comment

    dnewton  
  • GuruMeditation
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 10:09am

    Applause.

    Report this comment

    GuruMeditation  
  • Cavallo
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 9:42am

    The vast majority of the seizing of rights and the oppression and murder of people comes from the left. What is worse is that they tell you it is for your own good or the good of society that they rape, murder, steal, and imprison you. From the National Socialists of Europe, to the Bolsheviks of Russia, to the Saloth Sar and Ho Chi Mihn of south east Asia, to Castro of the Caribbean, Chavez in Venezuala, to the DNC in the United States. Their philosophies are the same, their lies the same, their methods the same and their results the same. If you give them a chance to strip your rights, they will murder you.

    Report this comment

    Cavallo  
  • term limits for congress
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 9:30am

    He speaks the old truth. Shun the old truth and seek only the new truth. Praise the dear leaders.

    Report this comment

    term limits for congress  
  • barber2
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 9:27am

    One issue which really troubles me is the similarity between the anger and the desire for revenge which motivated all of this sick killers and the same motivation of the radical Left politicians in the Obama administration. You know that targeting of the ” rich to pay their fair share;” the OWS crowds allowed to plug up Democrat controlled cities; the ACORN mobs bussed into bankers’ front yards; the MIC check crowds to disrupt opponents speeches, etc. There is a very unhealthy anger and a desire for revenge within the Democrats who hide behind the shield of PC ” social justice ” and twisted wording like using the word “investing ” for taxing , ” Affordable ” ( housing and now health care ) for not affordable ; and “transparent” for hidden school records and secret agendas.

    Report this comment

    barber2  
    • carbonyes
      Posted on February 20, 2013 at 1:50pm

      BARBER2
      What you said can be puzzling regarding the violent mindset of most died in the wool liberals as being similar to criminals.
      A psychiatrist, by the name of Lyle Rossiter, Jr., M.D., who has practiced forensic psychiatry for over 35 years has written a very good book, The Liberal Mind: The Psychological Causes of Political Madness. This book is profound in its analysis of the liberal mind and how there is a sickness in the way that the liberal mind views things. It goes into great detail with very cogent arguments and other supporting hypothesis. You will not be disappointed should you purchase a copy. It is now available in paperback.

      Report this comment

      carbonyes  
  • wilbstal
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 9:25am

    stay armed, stay alert, stay alive, stay watchful

    Report this comment

    wilbstal  
  • RANGER1965
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 9:24am

    After any tragedy, where people die; whether it be a natural disaster or crime, the survivors always come down on one of two sides.

    (1) What can “I” do to stop this from happening.

    (2) What can the “State” do to stop this from happening.

    What a person depends on, what he/she put’s faith in, that will determine their conclusion.

    Report this comment

    RANGER1965  
    • walnutportconservative
      Posted on February 19, 2013 at 9:42am

      Ranger
      “What a person depends on, what he/she put’s faith in, that will determine their conclusion”
      Well, those who put faith in Christ, usually, they express a peace felt, because of that faith. They also fear for those who do not possess that faith. Life without Christ leads to Death… Eternal Death.
      Weak Faith in a strong plank will get you across the stream. Strong Faith in a weak plank… will get your feet wet.

      Report this comment

      walnutportconservative  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on February 19, 2013 at 9:44am

      Sadly in modern day America people voted in the millions against freedom,twice. We have a government that not only doesn’t respect the constitution but is actively destroying it with every illegal act they can think of. We need more people who think like number one on your list.

      Report this comment

      progressiveslayer  
  • Inform
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 9:24am

    Of course if you need any other reasons against gun control check out: http://www.youargue.com/index.php/34b13z192

    Report this comment

    Inform  
  • IMCHRISTIAN
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 9:22am

    We do not want a government that leaves us undefendable . If there is no danger then why don’t we release the security guards on all government employees?

    Report this comment

    IMCHRISTIAN  
    • CulperGang
      Posted on February 19, 2013 at 11:00am

      Right. Armed to the teeth politicians telling ADULTS what they can have and what they can’t. They need to be downsized off of my tax dollars. I AM NOT GETTING MY MONIES WORTH.
      Politicians need to RELIQUISH their armed guards paid for by me!!!

      Report this comment

      CulperGang  
  • bharris0
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 9:17am

    The government knows this too. They will use anything as an excuse so that they can disarm us and abuse us.
    The only people that don’t understand this are liberals and they are too stupid and lazy to think on their own.

    Report this comment

    bharris0  
    • barber2
      Posted on February 19, 2013 at 9:28am

      Yes. And some liberals are just too naive and trusting to recognize evil when faced with it.

      Report this comment

      barber2  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on February 19, 2013 at 9:54am

      Shot my first gun when I was about 8-9. Loved it!. I’m not afraid of guns, but I fear for my life when “they” try to take away something so basic………..”they” are the ones I’m afraid of, not a gun.

      Our liberal leaders are making a horrid mistake trying to take guns away from law abiding Americans.
      This is the first major step in making this country subservient and bow down to an un-Godly master.
      History tells what they’re trying to do to us. They whittle away our rights little by little, and if we let them, we’ll just pawns, and have NO personal freedom. “Give me Liberty or give me Death”

      Report this comment

      Bluebonnet  
  • mikem1969
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 9:13am

    Once again, a victim of gun violence tells the truth that the CRIMINAL IS TO BLAME not the gun. He also notes that more gun control emboldens CRIMINALS to commit more CRIMES against DEFENSLESS people. Imagine that. This also proves once again, that the average person HAS MORE COMMON SENSE THAN THE WHOLE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

    Resist Tyranny Loudly.

    Report this comment

    mikem1969  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 9:12am

    Yes it’s true that ‘gun laws’ only infringe on the already law abiding citizen,a fact that seems to escape the progs who unfortunately are in great numbers. Anyone who creates any ‘gun law’ is really trying to take your freedom away from you and make you a subject. We need to go on the offensive against the progs who would see us enslaved to government. Go to your states capitol and raise hell like the union pigs did for their cause,put the progs in their place and explain to them in no uncertain terms that they truly are the servants to us. Demand that ALL gun laws be abolished for the simple fact that every one of them are unconstitutional. Keep up the good work Mr. Todd.

    Report this comment

    progressiveslayer  
  • huey6367
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 9:08am

    I have to disagree with you Todd. Gun control does not give an illusion of safety. It makes me feel vulnerable. Without a way to to protect myself, I am a sitting duck. The “illusion of safety” is an illusion propogated by leftist lies and utopian ideals.

    Report this comment

    huey6367  
  • LakeHartwellSailor
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 8:58am

    This guy is correct, but he will be ignored since he doesn’t fit the Left’s narrative.

    But, I am glad to hear one more person who has personal experience with violence come out and tell the truth.

    Report this comment

    LakeHartwellSailor  
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