When it comes to reducing gun violence in America, nobody else in the country has anything close to the experience-based perspective from which cops can speak.
PoliceOne has scored a major scoop in police journalism by
conducting a survey of more than 15,000 law enforcers regarding their
thoughts on gun control in America.
These men and women — most of whom actually work the street — have
a front row seat to see gun violence in America. They put their lives at risk
when they do their jobs, actually coming face-to-face with violent encounters
involving firearms.
And when it comes to finding ways to reduce gun violence and large
scale shootings, most cops say a federal ban on so-called “assault weapons”
isn’t the answer.
More than 91 percent of respondents say it would either have no
effect or a negative effect in reducing violent crime. This is an
overwhelming response by those whose job it is to actually deal with this issue
on the front lines.
Instead, it is interesting to note that armed citizens show up
frequently as a deciding factor in reducing the carnage from a mass murder
situation; proactive choices dominate over gun and magazine restrictions and
bans.
More than 91 percent of respondents support the concealed carry of
firearms by civilians who have not been convicted of a felony and/or not been
deemed psychologically/medically incapable.
A full 86 percent feel that casualties would have been reduced or
avoided in recent tragedies like Newtown and Aurora if a legally-armed citizen
was present (casualties reduced: 80 percent; avoided altogether: 60 percent).
For those who chose the option of casualties being avoided
altogether, I took this to mean the deterrent effect of a show of force prior to
an event would stop a potential predator from carrying out his murderous intent
in the first place.
What checks the sociopath from completing his act is fear. Fear of
the unknown or known gun carrier who is going to punch his ticket to hell right
then and right there. This has an immediate effect on reducing violent criminal
activity.
Cops on the street know the value of officer presence and being
ready to go. Criminals see it too, and stay in check. I know from my own street
experience how being in shape, being well prepared along with a sharp uniform
appearance kept things from escalating time and time again.
More than 81 percent of respondents were in favor of arming
teachers and school administrators if they were properly trained and vetted or
at least proficient.
Yet, with a few notable exceptions, most teachers and school
officials are opposed to this measure. Overcoming this kind of resistance will
be a major roadblock to making our schools safer.
In addition, the survey asked, “On a scale of one to five — one
being low and five being high — how important do you think legally-armed
citizens are to reducing crime rates overall?”
Three quarters of you (75 percent) answered either four or five,
with more than 50 percent answering five.
What would help most in preventing large scale shootings in
public? The most popular answer among respondents – at 29 percent – was “more
permissive concealed carry policies for civilians,” while 20 percent choose
“more-aggressive institutionalization for mentally ill persons.”
More armed guards/paid security personnel (16 percent) and
improved background screening to determine mental wellness of gun purchasers
(14 percent) were the other two preventative measures most selected in the
poll.
Clearly we have a majority of our gun carrying, member officers
who feel that armed citizens are an asset in reducing violent crime and not a
liability. This will be refreshing news for armed citizens who wonder about
police attitudes in general on concealed carry.
From all ranks, from Sheriffs and Chiefs on down, the vast
majority (95 percent) say a federal ban on the manufacture and sale of
ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds would not reduce violent
crime.
This is in sharp contrast to my own home state of Colorado, where
the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police stood in support of the magazine
ban and other restrictions while many Sheriffs bluntly said in the press that
they would not enforce any bans on magazines or so called assault weapons.
I will allow myself one personal observation. If you want to
disarm yourself, that is your choice. The following quote is a favorite of mine
and something to keep in mind when you make that choice.
“Sheep don’t tell wolves what’s for dinner.”
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