Firearms vs. Freedom

**TheOldRhino** · 11-14-06, 03:33 PM

Cst's reply here has inspired me to pose a question to everyone:

Would you as a LEO (or as a civilian being protected by LEO's) be willing to trade in your right to use a firearm if it meant there would be no restrictions on use of force- in other words, no such thing as "police brutality"?

**Abby** · 11-14-06, 03:40 PM

I'm not an officer (yet) but I would prefer have a firearm. The way I see it there will always be someone bigger, stronger, crazier....than me. If my life is depending on it, I would rather have my weapon than try and fight the bastard hand-to-hand.

**Virginian** · 11-14-06, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by Rhino

Cst's reply here has inspired me to pose a question to everyone:

Would you as a LEO (or as a civilian being protected by LEO's) be willing to trade in your right to use a firearm if it meant there would be no restrictions on use of force- in other words, no such thing as "police brutality"?

In other words you could beat the shit out of people, but you better hope they don't have a gun?

As far as I've seen (civilian viewpoint of course) there haven't been as many situations where officers have been found guilty of using excessive force as there have been situations where guns were involved. And if thugs know officers aren't carrying guns... I just don't see how this can be a good idea.

**Virginian** · 11-14-06, 03:53 PM

Is this from the "more officers are afraid of being sued than shot" statement you hear quite often?

**Willowdared** · 11-14-06, 04:10 PM

I voted undecided.

I don't think things are fine the way they are when it comes to the scrutiny given when officers used any "use of force" including deadly.

If I see one more "vigil" for a wife-beating dirtbag who gets shot after rampaging thru a neighborhood with a knife, I will scream!

Once "use of force" is ruled as justified, that should be the end of it, no lawsuits should be allowed.

**BEK** · 11-14-06, 05:38 PM

just cause you take guns away from the good guys doesnt mean that the bad guys are gonna give them up too. Its better to be tried by 12 then carried by 6 and you cannot say trade guns for freedom cause then it wouldnt be freedom now would it

**Virginian** · 11-14-06, 05:49 PM

It's funny timing for this question for me personally - my brother got robbed at gunpoint last night by 5 kids in South Carolina. Fortunately for them he didn't have his gun on him because he had been out jogging. But I'm sure if the police had showed up in the middle of the robbery they would have wanted their weapons much more than the ability to beat someone into a pulp.

**conalabu** · 11-14-06, 07:44 PM

No friggin way. I think it would be fantastic if we could do that, but it is not realistic.

**Aegis** · 11-14-06, 08:05 PM

I say keep the guns.

I like having a full range of options to deal with as many possibilities as I can. While it might be satisfying to "thump" some people who deserve it but don't justify it, I'd rather just keep the gun and use the level of force that's authorized.

**Sgt Rock** · 11-14-06, 08:07 PM

Take away my guns. Let's seperate the men from the boys. I would love to inflict pain on dirtbags everywhere without consequence.

**Hannibal** · 11-14-06, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by Sgt Rock

Take away my guns. Let's seperate the men from the boys. I would love to inflict pain on dirtbags everywhere without consequence.

I'll keep my guns thanks.

Sgt. Rcok, you seem extremely MOTIVATED lately.

**Ducky** · 11-14-06, 08:36 PM

How about "keep the guns and ditch use of force restrictions"?

**TXCharlie** · 11-14-06, 09:05 PM

Hell, no... I'm not giving you guys free reign to beat my ass

**Hannibal** · 11-14-06, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by TXCharlie

Hell, no... I'm not giving you guys free reign to beat my ass

**PixieGirlieChick** · 11-14-06, 09:35 PM

I'm Canadian so I don't have the right to bare arms and I'd like to keep it that way in my country. I live in a city where I can keep my doors unlocked and kids are safe to play in the streets. Sure, I live on the nicer end of town and the other part isn't so nice, but I just carry my trusty Pelican M6 flashlight to use as protection if need be when doing business in those areas.

**TXCharlie** · 11-14-06, 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by PixieGirlieChick

I live in a city where I can keep my doors unlocked and kids are safe to play in the streets.

I do too... The chances of getting raped or killed are actually very low anywhere in the United States, too.

But like car wrecks, crime happens everywhere... And if you happen to be the "lucky" one, then you'd better be prepared.

Remember, being killed once in a lifetime is too often.

**Hannibal** · 11-14-06, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by PixieGirlieChick

I live in a city where I can keep my doors unlocked and kids are safe to play in the streets. Sure, I live on the nicer end of town

For what it's worth, criminals call people who think that way targets. We call them victims.

**PixieGirlieChick** · 11-14-06, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by Ronin Warrior

For what it's worth, criminals call people who think that way targets. We call them victims.

Yeah, that's why I carry my knife with me too.

**TXCharlie** · 11-14-06, 10:37 PM

Good girl - A knife can be more effective than a gun at close range, if it's easily accessible (ie, clipped to your pocket or something).

**Five-0** · 11-14-06, 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by PixieGirlieChick

I live in a city where I can keep my doors unlocked and kids are safe to play in the streets.

Yeah, I keep my doors unlocked too. Once the bad guys are in the web it will be all down hill for them from there. I have no use of force policy inside my house.