Domestic Terrorist Attack Management Research Paper

Domestic Terrorism: Orlando Nightclub Shooting of 2016
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Domestic Terrorism: Orlando Nightclub Shooting of 2016
The Orlando Nightclub Shooting of 2016 was a domestic terrorism occurrence that set to test the U.S. security system. On this day, there were over 100 fatalities with 50 people dead and the rest wounded at the Pulse gay night club in Orlando, Florida. Omar Mateen, a 29-year old U.S. citizen born in New Hyde Park, wielded an automatic rifle and shot the club revelers (Stonehem, 2016). This onslaught was the worst and most lethal mass shooting against the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer fraternity since the September 11 attack.
A terrorist or terrorist faction’s modus operandi is to attack indirectly instead of directly. The terrorist ideology is to send a message unmindful of the presumed consequences. The result is usually media coverage making this approach the unconventional type. Unconventional hazards aim at undermining the efficacy of a nation’s security machinery to respond to serious or potential threats. For something to be regarded as unconventional, it means its occurrence is uncommon or not widespread and does not follow certain societal patterns. The unconventional way leaves a blurry trail as to whom the actual adversary is, hence making it difficult to design objectives (Eikenberry, 2014).
The attack on the Pulse Nightclub took an unconventional way. The terrorists usually target a certain part of the population to send a message against an individual, government, or practice. The Orlando crusader intended to send a message against homosexuality. His predetermined target was the gay community, and through such a horrendous attack, a message was sent through the nation that nobody is safe.
Therefore, it is important to conjecture why terrorists execute such attacks and how they choose their targets. Due to the rise and increase of threats on a global level, it is vital to also acquaint ourselves with how people become radicalized, as it is a key to extremism. Terrorists undergo various radicalization processes, with ideological and doctrinal viewpoints acting as motivation towards their campaigns. The extremists are often products of emotional agitation and with peculiar grievances or experiences which lead to them becoming fully fledge terrorists. The change of mindset is imperative as these terrorists are not made prima facie. It is believed the shooter’s motivation was a retaliatory attack on America and its citizen's moral impulse. It is purported that Omar Mateen told police negotiators that he pledged fidelity to ISIS and that he would never stop his charge until America stopped bombing his country (CBS News, 2016).
The Department of Homeland Security has documents that help manage the terrorism situation. One such provision is the Department of Homeland Security Strategic Framework for Countering Terrorism and Targeted Violence. This document exhibits some requisite goals. Firstly, it intends to foster an understanding of evolving terrorism and targeted violence threats and engage in supporting homeland security partners through specialized knowledge. It also aims to thwart terrorists from penetrating the country and halt the exploitation of international and domestic travel systems, national trade, and immigration. It also intends to deter terrorism and targeted violence. Lastly, it intensifies infrastructural protection and community preparedness. The National Strategy for counterterrorism is another document that designates a flexible and comprehensive way of reacting to terrorist threats. Those documents indicate the happenings during the Pulse Nightclub shootings of 2016 and the rapid response by local authorities.
The Strategic Framework for Countering Terrorism and Targeted Violence registers the nature of domestic threats that may be faced presently. This item includes providing an extended evaluation of the dangers posed by domestic terrorists, including social extremism. The Orlando shooting was a prejudicial attack meted by political extremism. One key goal of this Strategic framework is to prevent terrorism and targeted violence. The document shows that most attackers appropriate firearms alone as some even end up committing suicide. It also indicates that half of these attackers are motivated by a grievance related to the domestic, workplace, or personal issues, and also some have before the attack made threatening or concerning communications and more evoked concern from other people before carrying the attacks. ...