Ferris Bueller

The likelihood of anything being investigated is slim.  Unfortunately as you have witnessed, despite the fraud, credit issuers will not release information even though it stems from a crime.  It can be very frustrating especially since FICO scores and revolving credit rule us in many ways.  Having been a victim numerous times despite many preventative measures, my guess is it is so rampant, credit issuers delete the charge, and go about business as usual.

IF nothing else comes out of this other than elevated awareness and reporting as well as some retailers curbing assault rifle sales, perhaps a small, and continual movement to eventual change.  The headlines and press appear to be conflicting daily, so it is difficult to gauge momentum and its affect on eventual legislation or "control."

Dick's Sporting Goods ends assault-style weapon, high-capacity magazine sales - turns out it was their FIeld & Stream stores that were still carrying the assault-style weapons, which has now ceased.  

Walmart raises minimum age (21) for buying firearms

Lucky to be alive and scarred for life - if you have a few minutes, please watch this video.  She is not going back and I do not see how anyone can blame her.

The questions were not intended to be rhetorical, however I can see why one may think they were.  Help - was intended to be open-ended. Since the contributors to this forum, depending on topic, tend to be respectful and well read, I wanted to gauge how "we" (society) view any type of concession on the legal aspects of gun ownership.  Since we continue to learn more about the system and how it apparently failed in the background check of the Florida shooter as well as others, if said system is revised, and/or the age to own a gun raised from 18-21, does anything truly change?  It is possible the victory, or progress or tightening of these laws may be a hollow victory which benefits no one.   Does it make guns harder to obtain legally, perhaps, but with hundreds of millions of guns in circulation within the US, I really do not think access is the true issue.  

Our schools are obviously not secure, and that is being publicized more every day.  Locked doors do not keep someone with any type of firearm out, if the glass is easily voided by gunshots.  

Here in Fairfax County, we have had numerous armed robberies in very quiet, typical neighborhoods (for this region).  If you search for "armed robberies Fairfax" what you get are numerous articles about 19 recent robberies in NoVa; this in the last few months.  I personally use two of the gas stations that were held up weekly and often at night.  Not meant as a direct comparison in any way, but remember the DC Sniper(s) scare?  I remember walking into Toys R Us and as I approached the building, people all around me were dodging right and left (zig-zagging) through the parking lots.  Ducking down behind their cars as they filled them with gas.  I refuse to live like that.  

I also want kids to go to school without fear.  There are enough things in this world to worry about, learning should not be one of them.

1 - IF the age to purchase firearms (any and all) is raised to 21 nationwide does that help?  NOTE: Criminals are not likely affected by legal gun purchase laws.

2 - Is it a victory, as a small step in the correct gun law or control direction in this country or a band-aid?  

It is great to finally see open discussion and many people getting involved, but concerned it not enough.  

NRA backlash: Major bank and car-rental giant are ending partnerships

What it is like at a School that allows armed staff

Wall Street might be rethinking its relationship with guns

AR-15 and America's love of military-style weapons

Total Wine & More to Open in Plaza America Next Month - March 15th is cited opening date.

Silence is broken....NRA head lashes out at gun control advocates: 'They hate individual freedom'

Trump Suggests `Bonus' for Gun-Trained Teachers, Praises the NRA...but wait Trump: I never said 'give teachers guns'

Parkland students have raised $3.7 million in 3 days. Here's how they'll spend it

Trump 'open' to gun restrictions for certain individuals, according to White House official

Bump stock prices soar after Trump declares he'll seek ban

Trump backs arming educators in meeting with school shooting survivors

Gun rights lobby outspends gun control advocates by a wide margin

By Senator (State)

Nothing, directly.  Tyson's development footprint appears to be spilling into the Reston area as development there increases significantly.  Some of the apartment developers have already expressed concern about absorption rates for the new vertical rentals (apartments or condos).  Musing this may be a potential future of empty office space in Reston. 

A Few Headlines (and links) from the WaPo, all worthy of the 15 minutes it may take to read. 

The Florida school shooting has America’s attention. But for how long?

Divided Congress unable to act on guns, immigration despite public pressure.

Outside NRA headquarters, hundreds gather in vigil and protest.

I survived a mass shooting. My life was never the same afterward.

Now is exactly the right time to talk about gun politics

I am a Broward County Teacher; thoughts and prayers won't keep my students safe

When it comes to gun rights, supporters pray on the perception of (in)security, incidence of crime and protection of one's personal property and/or family.  Utilizing fear as the catalyst, one always wants to protect what is their's whether the threat is real or perceived or simply asserted.  Fear of loss - If "I" cannot/do not own a gun, how do I protect myself from those who have them legally or illegally and either threaten or use said gun(s) in the commission of crimes (very broad definition here)?   NOTE: Supposedly January 2018 was the slowest month of gun sales since 2012.  Since the Trump Administration is not going to do anything at all to tighten gun laws, the fear of increased regulation is declining and actually negatively impacting gun sales.  After all, how many guns do we really need in society if we already have 300 Million+ of them in circulation?

Elected officials, or those seriously contemplating election to public office, used to have to be on the correct side of their electorate for sexual orientation, gun control and religion (Gays, Guns, God).  That sentiment has been or is being modified and the sexual orientation and religious components have been deemed less in focus, but the gun issue has not; again much of this is geographic and demographic.  After Sandy Hook, Virginia Tech, and take your pick of the other education-focused tragedies, one would think tighter gun control laws would be on the forefront....these are kids or young adults just trying to go to school, learn and better themselves.  Schools should be safe.  It has not played out that way.

You never know who or what will be the determining factor in change.  As you noted, the recent focus on the #metoo movement and woman's rights stemmed from a pig in the entertainment industry; we continue to observe as others are being called out for past issues, situations or conduct.

What do you do when you have too much vacant office space or apartment space?  

Empty Tysons Office Building, Approved For Apartments, To Be Converted Into Self-Storage Instead

 

Yes, the 2nd Amendment Provides Absolute Protection to Gun Owners.  I am not saying I agree with this, however as apathetic as "we" are as a society, few are likely to contact their representatives, and make their voices heard.  Those who represent us, will not make changes in our lifetimes, sadly I think it a losing battle.  

Currently Police officers are posted in Middle and High Schools, but I bet we are going to have them in elementary schools in the near future.  Is it extreme?  Yes, but the number of guns in society is astonishing; roughly at least 1/every man/woman and child in this country.  It is beyond control, and this latest incident will likely be forgotten within weeks.  These kids are our future.  The area this happened is a nice, typical community where people thought they were safe, not unlike where many of us live now.  The NRA, the gun manufacturers, and your friends, neighbors, family members etc, etc, who say "pry this gun from my cold dead hands," have won, and will continue to win no matter the carnage.  

Daily lunch specials are a treat - actually found myself in the area today and grabbed a late lunch.  Service is solid as is fresh food and tastes.  Noticed several Greek-speaking patrons at different tables, which makes me think they appeal to the discriminating countrymen as well.  

The Tysons location of McCormick has closed - Reston Town Center location is still open.

New Ashburn location is apparently coming soon.

&pizza opening  this Fall at RTC in the former location of Teavana (on corner across from Jackson's and Uncle Julio's).

Gourmet Food Store Opening At Reston Town Center

Balducci's is giving Reston another shot, after having closed a Reston location some years ago in favor of a McLean store.  Should be interesting as the location is on the main level of a new apartment building, with garage parking.  

Appalachian Spring, One of Reston Town Center’s First Tenants, Officially Closes

Crime Roundup: Armed Man Robs CVS Pharmacy in Reston Town Center

I think this used to be a Long John Silver's location - right on the corner at a pretty busy intersection.  I tried it today, and got there at 11:30 which I thought would be before the lunch rush.  The place was very busy, so I ordered quickly, opting for the steak & cheese - food came out quickly.  The open kitchen concept, while not new, is never boring.  Steak & cheese was good, lean meat, not greasy.  Fries were nothing special.  Definitely family-friendly, lots of moms and work groups as well as tradespeople working in the area.  I will be back if for nothing else to try the ice cream and something else on the menu.  Atmosphere is very casual and with the picnic bench seating allows one to feel as if they are not 1/2 mile from Route 66 on Route 7.  

In a cutthroat retail environment, malls are stealing tenants from each other (CNBC)

This place made the most charming restaurant in Virginia (MSN - Lifestyle)

Reston Town Center Tenant Makes Huge Move.

Reston Town Center A 'Magnet' For Tenants: BXP Exec

Boston Properties said during their quarterly conference call that demand for space at RTC was surging.

Retail Kings - good info and why they appear to own the wine & beer business.

Kind of what I was thinking about, since Fords now has 3 locations.  This One Loudoun Location is right between two of the Ford's locations in Ashburn.