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Sounds like the Chicago police are still being trained to think that anyone with a gun is automatically a criminal. Not only that, but is actively trying to kill a cop.
I'd say that, now that Chicago is being slowly dragged into the civilized world, perhaps a little attitude adjustment is needed here.
To put it mildly.
In a place like Los Angeles or New York City, if a cop sees you carrying a gun, he does not automatically shoot you. If you point the gun at the cop, then he will shoot you... and that's what he should do. There's no reason why a cop should wait until you actually pull the trigger (which can result in a dead cop).
It's a fine line. But most cities draw that line in the right place. Time for Chicago to start doing it too.
Note for Chicago Police Superintendent: It's legal for ordinary citizens to carry a gun. I believe there's a very old document somewhere that even says so. And they aren't all out to get you.
If you can't handle the situation, then maybe you should take up breadmaking, or knitting.
Chicago Police: If You Carry a Gun, We're Trained to Shoot You
September 4, 2013
by Philip Hodges
If you remember, Illinois recently enacted a concealed carry law, albeit a very restrictive one. The Chicago Police Superintendent isn’t too happy with it. He thinks that more guns equals more crime. He also warned that the new law will create more incidents of cop-on-civilian shootings. He made his warning known in a radio interview:
“You put more guns on the street expect more shootings. I don’t care if they’re licensed legal firearms, people who are not highly trained… putting guns in their hands is a recipe for disaster. So I’ll train our officers that there is a concealed carry law, but when somebody turns with a firearm in their hand the officer does not have an obligation to wait to get shot to return fire and we’re going to have tragedies as a result of that. I’m telling you right up front.”
He acknowledged that unfortunately there are many cases of police shooting innocent and unarmed citizens, but having concealed carriers around will only make that problem worse.
Sounds like the Chicago police are still being trained to think that anyone with a gun is automatically a criminal. Not only that, but is actively trying to kill a cop.
I'd say that, now that Chicago is being slowly dragged into the civilized world, perhaps a little attitude adjustment is needed here.
To put it mildly.
In a place like Los Angeles or New York City, if a cop sees you carrying a gun, he does not automatically shoot you. If you point the gun at the cop, then he will shoot you... and that's what he should do. There's no reason why a cop should wait until you actually pull the trigger (which can result in a dead cop).
It's a fine line. But most cities draw that line in the right place. Time for Chicago to start doing it too.
Note for Chicago Police Superintendent: It's legal for ordinary citizens to carry a gun. I believe there's a very old document somewhere that even says so. And they aren't all out to get you.
If you can't handle the situation, then maybe you should take up breadmaking, or knitting.
Chicago Police: If You Carry a Gun, We're Trained to Shoot You
September 4, 2013
by Philip Hodges
If you remember, Illinois recently enacted a concealed carry law, albeit a very restrictive one. The Chicago Police Superintendent isn’t too happy with it. He thinks that more guns equals more crime. He also warned that the new law will create more incidents of cop-on-civilian shootings. He made his warning known in a radio interview:
“You put more guns on the street expect more shootings. I don’t care if they’re licensed legal firearms, people who are not highly trained… putting guns in their hands is a recipe for disaster. So I’ll train our officers that there is a concealed carry law, but when somebody turns with a firearm in their hand the officer does not have an obligation to wait to get shot to return fire and we’re going to have tragedies as a result of that. I’m telling you right up front.”
He acknowledged that unfortunately there are many cases of police shooting innocent and unarmed citizens, but having concealed carriers around will only make that problem worse.
He didn't say anything out of pocket. He's just saying that they're TRAINED to shoot a person with an obvious gun in their hand and that his officers aren't under any obligations to wait and see why it's in your hand.
Frankly, ANY police officer would feel the same way. And I'm sure this is the policy of pretty much every police department.
And believe me, I'm not a cop advocate...far from it. They get no love from me, but I think you're overstating it a bit about the gun thing.
Did you even read the quotes you posted? This is what he said: "but when somebody turns with a firearm in their hand the officer does not have an obligation to wait to get shot to return fire"
What could you possibly find wrong with that quote? Everyone knows if you point a gun at a cop you will likely be shot.
Did you even read the quotes you posted? This is what he said: "but when somebody turns with a firearm in their hand the officer does not have an obligation to wait to get shot to return fire"
What could you possibly find wrong with that quote? Everyone knows if you point a gun at a cop you will likely be shot.
It's not a Chicago thing, either. It's all police departments. It's not like the Chicago PD is going to shoot you if they see your gun in its holster
He didn't say anything out of pocket. He's just saying that they're TRAINED to shoot a person with an obvious gun in their hand and that his officers aren't under any obligations to wait and see why it's in your hand.
Frankly, ANY police officer would feel the same way. And I'm sure this is the policy of pretty much every police department.
And believe me, I'm not a cop advocate...far from it. They get no love from me, but I think you're overstating it a bit about the gun thing.
You are mistaken.
As I pointed out, the cop can reasonably shoot you if you point the gun at him, without waiting for you to pull the trigger.
But if you are pointing it at the ground, he cannot.
If some thug tried to rob the 7-11 where I'm a clerk, and I pulled my gun and drove him away, I'm going to keep my gun in my hand even after the thug is gone. He may come back, or have some friends etc. I'm not going to point it at the next guy to step through the door, but I'll have it where he can see it. And if he doesn't look dangerous, I'll explain to him that thre was just an attempted robbery and the cops are on the way.
If a cop steps through the door, I'll still keep the gun in my hand, though certainly not pointed at the cop.
The cop will, of course, immediately say, "Police, drop the gun right now". And I will. He doesn't know if I'm the thug, or the law-abiding clerk.
But if the cop were to say nothing, and simply shoot me, he is guilty of murder.
Police, and you, have to get it through your heads that an ordinary citizen carrying a gun does not deserve to get shot for doing so.
Last edited by Little-Acorn; 09-05-2013 at 11:05 AM..
Did you even read the quotes you posted? This is what he said: "but when somebody turns with a firearm in their hand the officer does not have an obligation to wait to get shot to return fire"
What could you possibly find wrong with that quote? Everyone knows if you point a gun at a cop you will likely be shot.
Of course I read it... unlike you.
Or were you about to show me where in that quote it says the person points the gun at the cop?
"Chicago Police: If You Carry a Gun, We're Trained to Shoot You..."
But then:
"So I’ll train our officers that there is a concealed carry law, but when somebody turns with a firearm in their hand the officer does not have an obligation to wait to get shot to return fire..."
Typical P-poor journalism. Two VERY different statements. I agree wholeheartedly with the second statement. Any fool who confronts a cop with a gun in hand is asking to get shot.
However, the first statement is simply asinine. Any cop who shoots a civilian because the civ is carrying a holstered gun, or the cop THINKS the civ is carrying a holstered gun, should be indicted for murder, whether the civ is a CCP holder or not!
Of course, as always, there IS a "grey area". What if the civ has the gun in hand, but it is pointing at the ground? Is the cop in "imminent danger", and thus justified in shooting first? My first thought is "NO", but then I am not the cop on the scene, it is ultimately his call. Will he be more likely to make the wrong call if he knows he is immune from prosecution? Will a teenager holding a Nerf Gun be in danger? Perhaps. We won't know until it happens.
As I pointed out, the cop can reasonably shoot you if you point the gun at him, without waiting for you to pull the trigger.
But if you are pointing it at the ground, he cannot.
If some thug tried to rob the 7-11 where I'm a clerk, and I pulled my gun and drove him away, I'm going to keep my gun in my hand even after the thug is gone. He may come back, or have some friends etc. I'm not going to point it at the next guy to step through the door, but I'll have it where he can see it. And if he doesn't look dangerous, I'll explain to him that thre was just an attempted robbery and the cops are on the way.
If a cop steps through the door, I'll still keep the gun in my hand, though certainly not pointed at the cop.
The cop will, of course, immediately say, "Police, drop the gun right now". And I will. He doesn't know if I'm the thug, or the law-abiding clerk.
But if were to say nothing, and simply shoot me, he is guilty of murder.
Police, and you, have to get it through your heads that an ordinary citizen carrying a gun does not deserve to get shot for doing so.
Well NOW, you're actually delineating your point a little better.
But there is a shocking gap between your thread title and the reality of the story.
Your thread title is straight up hyperbole and offers no context or nuance.
“You put more guns on the street expect more shootings. I don’t care if they’re licensed legal firearms, people who are not highly trained… putting guns in their hands is a recipe for disaster. So I’ll train our officers that there is a concealed carry law, but when somebody turns with a firearm in their hand the officer does not have an obligation to wait to get shot to return fire and we’re going to have tragedies as a result of that. I’m telling you right up front.”
I think carrying a gun in a holster won't get you shot, by the above.
If you turn with a gun in your hand. . .well sounds like a good way to get shot.
I for one wouldn't ask the cop to try and wait for you to practice quick drawl mcgraw. . .safety first
plus, anyone with a gun. . .either stupid or a criminal. no harm either way.
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