4 ms·

A gun within reach isn't necessarily a crime.

some_random 3y ago
We're long beyond that now, unfortunately. Police can legally kill you on the spot if you have a gun, even if you've done nothing wrong.
PaulHoule 3y ago
I agree. But it's a fact that cops are afraid of getting shot in a country with a lot of guns around and many of them are trained to shoot when they see a threat, certainly they are going to experience some kind of regret if they hesitate and one of their own gets shot. We had a friend living at our house who had a psychotic break and threatened my wife with a knife. My son and I barricaded in a room upstairs and called 911. The first question they asked was "are there any guns in the house?" My son has taken an interest in firearms, particularly black powder and flintlock weapons. I am all for it, but I make a point that there are many reasons why he should keep guns secure and out of sight when you're not using, not least that you don't want cops to see them and feel threatened.
- some_random 3y ago
  But should they be trained to shoot when they see a threat? They should feel regret if a colleague is killed because of their inaction, but shouldn't they feel more regret if they kill an innocent person? Why should you _have_ to manage the emotions of some cops entering your home lest your son be shot and killed?
  - BenjiWiebe 3y ago
    Maybe they are taught what firefighters are taught; your safety is more important than the victims of the fire you are trying to save.
    - some_random 3y ago
      We're talking about the difference between not rushing into a collapsing room to search for victims versus just refusing to go into a burning building because it's dangerous. Of course in a firefight cops should focus on winning first before attempting to render aid, that's common sense. That doesn't mean they should be allowed to aggressively escalate encounters up to killing someone who is rational and compliant just because they are armed.

We're long beyond that now, unfortunately. Police can legally kill you on the spot if you have a gun, even if you've done nothing wrong.

PaulHoule 3y ago

I agree. But it's a fact that cops are afraid of getting shot in a country with a lot of guns around and many of them are trained to shoot when they see a threat, certainly they are going to experience some kind of regret if they hesitate and one of their own gets shot. We had a friend living at our house who had a psychotic break and threatened my wife with a knife. My son and I barricaded in a room upstairs and called 911. The first question they asked was "are there any guns in the house?" My son has taken an interest in firearms, particularly black powder and flintlock weapons. I am all for it, but I make a point that there are many reasons why he should keep guns secure and out of sight when you're not using, not least that you don't want cops to see them and feel threatened.

some_random 3y ago
But should they be trained to shoot when they see a threat? They should feel regret if a colleague is killed because of their inaction, but shouldn't they feel more regret if they kill an innocent person? Why should you _have_ to manage the emotions of some cops entering your home lest your son be shot and killed?
- BenjiWiebe 3y ago
  Maybe they are taught what firefighters are taught; your safety is more important than the victims of the fire you are trying to save.
  - some_random 3y ago
    We're talking about the difference between not rushing into a collapsing room to search for victims versus just refusing to go into a burning building because it's dangerous. Of course in a firefight cops should focus on winning first before attempting to render aid, that's common sense. That doesn't mean they should be allowed to aggressively escalate encounters up to killing someone who is rational and compliant just because they are armed.