In this world...an automatic weapon can be acquired. I could get an automatic weapon, walk into times square and mow down several people. Most police officers carry hand guns. For instance, Cleveland has police officers in most of their banks. But, if a serious, no-nonsense bank robbery occurred such as in the movie "Heat", it seems as if they would be of no use. If I'm in the bank while this happens, it seems as if me granting my power to the state to authorize a police force in order to protect me instead of me using self-help would have been moot.

Thus, should police officers carry automatic weapons to better be able to protect my life, liberty and property as we have vested in them that power? On the one hand, this endangers us as the government is more capable of tyranny...but on the other hand, it makes more meaningful our granting our great sacrifice of self-help to police.

Thoughts?

Don't they already? I know some members of the DCPD NYPD and LAPD carry MP5's and AR-15s, either on them or in their vehicle. I've seen DC Police carry them around the city.

Also, many towns or counties have SWAT teams that carry them.

You would probably advocate rubber bullets in those guns right?

ptown_trojans_1 wrote: Don't they already? I know some members of the DCPD NYPD and LAPD carry MP5's and AR-15s, either on them or in their vehicle. I've seen DC Police carry them around the city.

Also, many towns or counties have SWAT teams that carry them.

Perhaps I should have asked, "should more law enforcement personnel carry automatic weapons" Such as your run of the mill police officer walking a beat in a neighborhood.

I think they should be able to carry them, if whatever state they serve in can afford it.

I don't think it would be a federal power to control that, would it? Wouldn't it be up to the state?

Also, I agree. Crooks/bad guys are getting bigger guns. Don't send our cops into a situation where they will be severly outmatched.

iclfan2 wrote: You would probably advocate rubber bullets in those guns right?

Ha, dude, I've seen you bring that old thread up a couple times...that was just a hypothetical question...you know, something to talk about and think about. I don't know why that's so weird to you.

I apologize that none of my thread topics pique your interest. I will try to be more creative and have a broader FreeHuddle appeal. Perhaps I should expand my horizons and start a thread on the political ramifications of choosing Budweiser as opposed to Old Milwaukee while watching the NASCAR race?

BoatShoes wrote:

iclfan2 wrote: You would probably advocate rubber bullets in those guns right?

Ha, dude, I've seen you bring that old thread up a couple times...that was just a hypothetical question...you know, something to talk about and think about. I don't know why that's so weird to you.

I apologize that none of my thread topics pique your interest. I will try to be more creative and have a broader FreeHuddle appeal. Perhaps I should expand my horizons and start a thread on the political ramifications of choosing Budweiser as opposed to Old Milwaukee while watching the NASCAR race?

I do bring it up sometimes, because it is the most outlandish thing I have ever heard, although you came close again with wanting to make Haiti a state. And I prefer Busch while watching a Nascar race. Maybe I'll have to switch to PBR or Yuenling to keep it Ameircan now.

Ok but for real, I think police officers in large cities should be able to carry automatic weapons. They are in the hot spots where criminals are more likely to strike and if they are trained extensively in them I see nothing wrong with it. But I don't think some po dunk police outfit needs to carry them around with them but should keep some at the station just in case.

"Assault weapons" account for <10% of gun crime and fully automatic weapons are even a small percentage of that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Assault_Weapons_Ban#Effect_on_crime
http://www.guncite.com/gun_control_gcassaul.html
http://www.guncite.com/gun_control_gcfullau.html

Its not practical to carry a rifle or shotgun slung over your shoulder everywhere you go. there are too many other things you do as a cop where that would be a burden.

I would leave it up to the local authorities to decide based on their needs/resources.

How about APC's? The local authorities in this little town thought so.
http://www.timesreporter.com/local_news/x772302882/TO-THE-RESCUE

majorspark wrote: I would leave it up to the local authorities to decide based on their needs/resources.

How about APC's? The local authorities in this little town thought so.
http://www.timesreporter.com/local_news/x772302882/TO-THE-RESCUE

haha wow, some of those people are pretty bent out of shape over that.

Yeah because Cops aren't on enough of a power trip already, we should give them bigger guns to carry.

"Yeah man, think of all the black kids we can kill now!!!!"

Strapping Young Lad wrote: Yeah because Cops aren't on enough of a power trip already, we should give them bigger guns to carry.

"Yeah man, think of all the black kids we can kill now!!!!"

ohhhh....