“Some guy waves a gun, or ignores officers attempts to get him to drop the gun, what are they supposed to do.”
That’s certainly true. My issue is that today cops seem to be all to eager to shoot! And they evidently are told to shoot until the gun is empty! We can armchair quarterback what happened in Seaside, but it outwardly looks like a conflict between two LEO’s, with both parties being accustomed to using firearms as a means of protection. Sure hope the guy who was shot makes it. We have a second home in Carmel. Seaside is mostly auto dealerships and businesses that don’t want to pay Monterey’s city taxes on their businesses, and a very modest residential area. It’s definitely the low-rent part of the Monterey Peninsula.
I could be wrong, but I think part of the problem is that people think they have the right to confront officers with a gun, that a conversation will ensue after which they can back down and all will be peachy.
Officers are not there to debate. They are there to carry out their mission. They are called or assigned to go to a home. Their purpose is to offer assistance, stabilize the situation, or effect an arrest.
DO NOT appear before them with a weapon. Keep your hands extended and make it perfectly clear you have nothing in them. Tell them you intend to comply with their wishes. Don’t make quick moves. Do exactly what they ask you to do.
That’s what I have to do. It’s what we all need to do.
If I disagree with what officers are doing, I know that I will have the right to obtain representation and take them and the municipality to task later on.
You endure it. That’s just the way it is. You’re not going to win on site, so allow them to do their job. Then take them to court and end their career if you think they deserve it.
Lets say for arguments sake the officers are there to do you harm. Is anyone here under the impression they are going to prevent the officers from doing harm with a weapon?
These officers are not going to be stopped, so get it out of your head you can confront them and deter them.
Some FReepers seem to think confronting officers is the right thing to do. Yikes. That’s the best way I know of to get yourself and family members killed, even if the officers have no intent to harm anyone when they arrive on scene.