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California police chief: The idea that a gun is a defensive weapon is a ‘myth’
Washington Examiner ^ | February 14, 2013 | Charlie Spiering

Posted on 02/14/2013 2:15:06 PM PST by Zakeet

California Police Chief Ken James insisted earlier this month that the idea of a gun as a “defensive weapon” was a “myth.” Speaking at a news conference about gun control with California lawmakers, James explained that he was concerned with the amount of weapons owned by American citizens.

“One issue that always boggles my mind is that the idea that a gun is a defensive weapon,” James said. “That is a myth. A gun is not a defensive weapon.”

James is the Police Chief of Emeryville, California and the Police Chief Association’s Firearms Committee Chairman.

“A gun is an offensive weapon used to intimidate and show power,” he asserted, explaining to the audience that police officers don’t carry weapons to defend themselves, but to do their job in a “safe and effective manner.”

James’ statement has become a subject of ridicule among gun owners online.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 2ndamendment; banglist; guncontrol; guns; secondamendment
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For some inexplicable reason, James’ statement has become a subject of ridicule among gun owners online.

1 posted on 02/14/2013 2:15:15 PM PST by Zakeet
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To: Zakeet

California dreaming.


2 posted on 02/14/2013 2:16:59 PM PST by 353FMG ( I refuse to specify whether I am serious or sarcastic -- I respect FReepers too much.)
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To: Zakeet

Probably better than throwing marshmallows.

Or running with scissors.


3 posted on 02/14/2013 2:18:03 PM PST by TomGuy
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To: Zakeet

I don’t think I have ever heard anything so stupid by someone who at least had “walking around” sense.


4 posted on 02/14/2013 2:18:54 PM PST by yarddog (One shot one miss.)
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To: Zakeet

It’s Kaliphornia - what does one expect?


5 posted on 02/14/2013 2:19:25 PM PST by SkyDancer (Live your life in such a way that the Westboro church will want to picket your funeral.)
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To: Zakeet

So I guess he will disarm the police officers on his force? Or do they carry guns for offensive purposes, with the intention of initiating rather than responding to, stopping and deterring violence?


6 posted on 02/14/2013 2:20:00 PM PST by Above My Pay Grade
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To: Zakeet

Hmmm....The idea of a POLICE OFFICER as a defensive weapon is a myth...


7 posted on 02/14/2013 2:22:37 PM PST by goodnesswins (R.I.P. Doherty, Smith, Stevens, Woods.)
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To: Zakeet

“A gun is an offensive weapon used to intimidate and show power,” he asserted, explaining to the audience that police officers don’t carry weapons to defend themselves, but to do their job in a “safe and effective manner.”

So what is this blow-dried girly-boy trying to say? His police use their weapons to intimidate and show power? Thanks - I’ll defend myself.

Nincompoop.


8 posted on 02/14/2013 2:22:37 PM PST by tgusa (gun control: deep breath, sight alignment, squeeze the trigger .......)
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To: 353FMG
California police chief: The idea that a gun is a defensive weapon is a ‘myth’

I'm willing to bet that neither James, nor ANY cop in California (also known as the land of fruits and nuts), do not check their weapons into the armory, but take them home at night.

9 posted on 02/14/2013 2:22:40 PM PST by The Sons of Liberty (It's not "GUN CONTROL"! It's "PEOPLE CONTROL"!)
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To: Zakeet

He’s right you know. It’s an offensive weapon to gun down homeless people in the streets and family pets when they >ahem< go to the wrong house.


10 posted on 02/14/2013 2:22:45 PM PST by SkyDancer (Live your life in such a way that the Westboro church will want to picket your funeral.)
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To: Zakeet

Hmmm....The idea of a POLICE OFFICER as a defensive weapon is a myth...ask the people Dorner shot...ask the Ft. Hood victims...etc.


11 posted on 02/14/2013 2:23:17 PM PST by goodnesswins (R.I.P. Doherty, Smith, Stevens, Woods.)
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To: Zakeet

>>> James’ statement has become a subject of ridicule among gun owners online.

As it should be. Doesn’t HAVE TO BE a gun owner to ridicule the statement though.


12 posted on 02/14/2013 2:23:38 PM PST by Sir Napsalot (Pravda + Useful Idiots = CCCP; JournOList + Useful Idiots = DopeyChangey!)
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To: Zakeet

and another one has inbibed the kool-aid.


13 posted on 02/14/2013 2:23:46 PM PST by NY Attitude (Make love not war but be prepared for either.)
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To: Zakeet

The problem is his perspective on who owns the gun. In the hands of a robber or gangbanger any gun is an offensive weapon. It is used to intimidate and prevent resistance. Probably 99% of the people he deals with are s-—bags like this. In the hands of a good guy, the gun is used defensively or recreationally.


14 posted on 02/14/2013 2:24:14 PM PST by Brooklyn Attitude (Obama being re-elected is the political equivalent of OJ being found not guilty.)
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To: Zakeet

then he and his fellow officers can just leave those “myths” in the station instead of carrying them on their hips....


15 posted on 02/14/2013 2:24:23 PM PST by eeevil conservative (GIVE ME A PLACE TO STAND AND I WILL MOVE THE thatEARTH....Archimedes)
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To: Zakeet
Has the Police Chief been hanging out with the pResident?


16 posted on 02/14/2013 2:24:32 PM PST by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilization is Aborting, Buggering, and Contracepting itself out of existence.)
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To: Zakeet

Direct conclusion from his words: Police carry guns to intimidate and show power.

He is either stupid or repeating the words of the civil authorities who pay his salary.


17 posted on 02/14/2013 2:24:46 PM PST by I want the USA back
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To: Zakeet

So cops carry guns to “intimidate and show power”. Thanks for clarifying that, chief.


18 posted on 02/14/2013 2:24:54 PM PST by Bob
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To: Zakeet

I guess we also need to either disarm our military, or rename the Department of Defense.


19 posted on 02/14/2013 2:25:12 PM PST by Above My Pay Grade
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To: Zakeet

We could argue that the citizens are armed so that they can conduct their lives in a “safe and effective manner.”


20 posted on 02/14/2013 2:25:35 PM PST by FreedomOfExpression
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