Background story, Ex white supremacist leader and army veteran shot up a Sikh temple, 6 dead.



http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/08/07/sikh-temple-shootings-victims-heroes.html

Not sure how useful it would have been, but a real knife would work a lot better than a butter knife.

Being a Sikh, I'm surprised he didn't use a kirpan.

Probably considered a concealed weapon and illegal.

http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/training/xus/crcl/headcoverings/kirpan.htm

There was some controversy regard Kirpan in Canada a while ago, what I gathered is apparently many of them are either not sharpened, or permanently fixed into the sheath.

Those who beat their swords into plowshares will be ruled by those who don't.

From what I gather, a lot of the Kirpans in the US are either too small to be a weapon, or have been de-weaponized (fixed in sheath and dulled) to comply with local laws. I don't know what he was carrying or if he was carrying. My very limited understanding of the religion is that only intiated (10%-15% of the Sikhs) are required to carry the 5 articles of faith.

I did pull the Oak Creek municipal code and there is a prohibition on carry concealed fixed blades over 3", but no mention of open carry.

http://www.oakcreekwi.org/documents/municipal-code/Chapter%2011%20Offenses%20and%20Nuisances.pdf

Props for him for fighting back.

People still look at me funny for carrying a pocket knife, lighter, and flashlight sometimes.

That's a good observation. The FBI is treating this case as act of domestic terrorism under the U.S. Patriot Act. I call it guerrilla warfare. A soldier going into war and trying to stab an enemy with a butter knife is like that solider is committing suicide.

The Sikh bracelet makes a devastating knuckle duster that is always with you; a flip of the hand can make it rest round the top of the hand to strike with.
and "but officer I'm just wearing a bangle; you mean people actually use these as weapons?"

from Wikipedia:
Iron Fist Fighting, also known as Loh Mushti in Northern India (Punjab) is the traditional Sikh form of boxing. Instead of using gloves, the Sikhs would use their steel or iron bracelets, known as karas, which came in many sizes and forms including battle designs with sharp edges or spikes. Iron fist fighting can result in death.

qjs

From the same article on this tragic incident at the Sikh temple:

"Staring down the gunman Sunday morning, Kaleka managed to find the butter knife and tried to stab Page before being shot twice near the hip or upper leg, his son Amardeep Singh Kaleka said Monday.

His son said FBI agents hugged him Sunday, shook his hand and said, "Your dad's a hero."

"Whatever time he spent in that struggle gave the women time to get cover" in the kitchen, said Kaleka, whose mother was among more than a dozen women and children who took cover as Page forced his way into the temple. She dialed 911 while hiding."

Suicide doesn't come to mind for me. Hero. Protector. Selfless. Courageous. I'm not trying to misinterpret what you say ireckon, but the military analogy just comes across a little cold. The man acted heroically, most likely knowing he would suffer from it and face death as well.

I am not surprised he had nothing more than a butter knife to protect others. Its not my first instinct to expect folks to carry weapons for self-protection into a place of worship. In part that's probably why this cowardly attacker chose to effect his own suicide at this temple, its when men of peace gathered together are at their most vulnerable. Even after an event like this, men of peace do not necessarily have to arm up when worshiping. They can remain men of peace.

I honor this man for his courageous acts. And my condolences to everyone who suffers from this attack.