> but it wasn't like the cop didn't perceive a threat This is the problem right here. A poorly-trained cop will be induced to panic by any number of things.

> but it wasn't like the cop didn't perceive a threat This is the problem right here. A poorly-trained cop will be induced to panic by any number of things. Is that a reasonable excuse to empty one's clip into a human? I think not. If a cop "perceives" a greater threat from black people than white people, is it just okay for them to just act on that with lethal result? This isn't a hypothetical: the "gay panic" defense[1] is still valid in much of the US. The funny thing here is that I think it should be illegal to drive around with a handgun within reach of the driver. Nevertheless, I believe that should be a misdemeanor (barring aggravating factors) resulting in seizure and fines. Not summary execution. Americans have the weirdest culture: their legal system reflects a preference to kill people for a non-crime, rather than pass a law which "limits freedoms." [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gay_panic_defense https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gay_panic_defense