tennyson wrote:

The intent the post was to demonstrate the dangers that policemen face everyday and hope for discussion of the same.  
 

I appreciate it. The job of a law enforcement officer is daunting. They have and deserve our respect.

Just Fred wrote:

I wasn't trying to politicize this.  I was merely pointing out that bumper sticker thing about "The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun" seems too simple, and Ted Cruz used that line in a speech the other day.  Many others say the same thing as if all we have to do is identify the good guys and give them a gun.

My other point was that I don't think it's a good idea to make certain weapons available for public use.

So what are your thoughts on why I posted the item ? 
 

Just Fred wrote:

To report a news item and to focus on the dangers that police face since almost any Tom, Dick, or Harry can get a gun in America today, either by stealing one or buying one.  What caught my attention was the use of a semi-autmatic pistol in the attack.  There are certain weapons that should be banned, and I believe that is one of them.

As an aside, just off the top of my dome, I think police work is somewhere between the 12th or 15th most dangerous job in America.  I get that.

Semi-automatic guns have been in existence since the 1890s or so. Just about any modern handgun is considered a semi-automatic. A semi-automatic pistol is a type of pistol that is semiautomatic in that is it uses the energy of the fired cartridge to cycle the action of the firearm and advance the next available cartridge into position for firing. One round is fired each time the trigger of a semi-automatic pistol is pulled. The notion of these type of handgns being banned is nonexistent. The danger of semi-automatic weapons are add-ons that are totally legal that make them convient killing weapons when armed with large clips, bump fire mechanims, etc. 

 

Last edited by tennyson (1/09/2016 12:22 pm)

Back on the topic of being a cop in the US, although the job is dangerous, the thing that always makes me think is just how much emotional pressure must be on them everyday. It is one of the few jobs I know that requires the person to make split second decisions about life and death and in general is under appreciated for that fact. 

Like I wrote earlier, if you get a chance read the Time article that chronicled a typical day in the life of a cop. It echos a lot of what I am saying (and more). 

The danger of semi-automatic weapons are add-ons that are totally legal that make them convient killing weapons when armed with large clips, bump fire mechanims, etc. 

Ok, ban those things.  I'm good with that.