Do the police really want all citizens to be armed?

Question

Just answer the question - what do the cops think?

Answer 1

try drawing your weapon in front of a police officer

Answer 2

All the cops in my family, as well as the ones I have worked with support responsible gun ownership. Many areas with more gun-friendly laws have a lower crime rate than those areas with restrictive gun laws. If you knew that there is a very good chance that someone in a house you were breaking into had a gun and you could be killed, would you still break into that house? The state of Massachusetts started a publicity campain where they had billboards showing guns with the slogan "You're more likely to live here", implying their gun laws made the state safer. The NRA immediately went after them with statistics showing Massachusetts actually had worse gun related crime.

But the key is, they have to be responsible gun owners. They should be required to have safety training, as well as understand the legal ramifications as to what they do. Working with military police, anytime there was a domestic disturbance, the first thing requested from the desk sergeant was whether the individual at the home had any known firearms. I don't know if civilian police check the same, though I imagine they could check if the person at the least had a firearms license. When gun owners interact with the police, they are taught the correct way to inform the officer that they are carrying and to do whatever the officer instructs them to do, very slowly and delibrately.

No one however, wants the "Rambo" type. The ones who want to shoot someone. No one wants the scared housewife type, who even though she would pull the gun out, would be too scared to shoot. Then the gun would be turned on her.

What police are looking for are gun owners who even though they know their gun ownership is a right, that they view it as a privledge and treat it with respect. They will only draw their weapon when threatened, and will endevour to get away from the situation if possible rather than use the gun. And when they do draw their weapon, they are fully prepared to use it. They are also trained to use it. They are aware of their backdrop, and what they are shooting. They would rather let the police handle the situation than have to do it themselves. These are the people the police want to have guns.

Answer 3

According to a state supreme court case, the justices have made it xtrmely clear - u DO NOT have the fundamental Right (eg. God given Right) to police protection.

I also concur w/ the first responder. If anyone - uniformed or not - enters ur domiclle w/o being invited or w/o a 'legal' search warrant, then the American has the 'fundamental Right' to protect himself & his family at whatever force he deems necessary. Thus, it doesn't make a Rat's A$$ difference what the peace officers desire. Always remember, 'no rule, code, or law [eg, 'u need a permit / license' ]can interfer w/ ur fundamental Rights' Miranda v. Az. It's part of what makes America so great!!

Lastly, in the L.A. riots those thugs that pulled that innocent unprotected sitting duck white guy from his truck first attempt to pull a black guy from his car which was directly in front of the white guy's truck. Fortunately for the black guy, he was a security guard going home and pulled out his tool of self-defense. The thugs then moved to the white guy. This was reported only on the first day - then the media never spoke about it again.

Answer 4

What do the cops think?

ALL of the cops that I have known (small sample--around 10 of them) support the 2nd Amendment. They want to be able to have guns, even after they retire. They want their loved ones to be able to have guns for protection.

But they do not want "all" citizens to be armed. They deal with the worst of society every single day. And while they would prefer that "those people" not have guns, they recognize the fact that "all citizens" must be allowed to have them, until they have proven that they can't be trusted with them.

They are certainly aggressive about looking for reasons to take guns away from violent people, but for the most part, they support the right of responsible people to own guns.

Answer 5

Depends on where your at and what State. Some States like California, have laws about weapons in vehicles. Some states like Louisiana, say your vehicle is an extension of your home and you have the right to protect it.

Common sense goes a very long ways when you carry a weapon in your car. I was working Ft Polk Louisiana and a State man stopped me. He asked for my Registration and proof of insurance and I told him I had a weapon in the glove box and that the papers he wanted were in there. He stepped back and told me to slowly get the paperwork out. I could see his right had resting on his weapon, but once I had the papers out and the glove box closed, he had me step out and Thanked me for telling him ahead of time about the gun.

As far as home protection goes, if you can tell the officer and/or judge " I felt my life was in danger. I didn't know if this person was gonna kill me or what", then self defense is a good defense in a home shooting situation. I talked to lots of officers and dealt with several GSW's and the best defense for home is a 12 guage shotgun with bird shot. It wont blow thru the walls as bad as a slug, and at close range, gets attention, but the bottom line is this, If that crook is still standing there watching instead of running, give him the whole place and leave. That boom is enough to make the feet want to move faster and faster.

Answer 6

No, I think the police would if given their druthers would prefer that citizens not be armed. It would make their job less unpredictable. But I also believe most police officers believe in the 2nd Amendment. Quite the conundrum.

Answer 7

Sure-why not ..I'm not too sure on the implication of this question ..Does this mean police only want the bad guys to be armed ? I don't think so ..

Answer 8

No, the police only want decent people to be armed. One reason gun control never works is no law will keep criminals from having guns. If you believe laws banning guns protect anyone you live in Disneyland...

Answer 9

It doesn't matter what they want.

The police do NOT have your best interests in mind. The police (generally speaking, here) would love to be able to search your property and your person without a warrant. They would love to be able to detain you indefinitely on mere suspicion. They would love to be able to use more aggressive techniques in order to secure a confession.

All of these things are prohibited by the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States.

This is the same Bill of Rights which, in the Second Amendment, guarantees Americans the right to keep and bear arms.

If you want the protections of the Fifth Amendment (the rights to "remain silent", protection from "double jeopardy", protection from punishment or loss of property without due process of law), the Sixth and Seventh Amendments (the right to a speedy and public jury trial, the right to have an attorney), the Eighth Amendment (protection from cruel and unusual punishments, or excessive bail), then you're just going to have to accept the Second Amendment (the right to keep and bear arms.)

Answer 10

Bradley nailed it for the most part, but I'd say politicians feel that way more then cops.

Answer 11

I don't have a 24/7 police guard. Do you?