You make a VERY good point.
I fully understand the reasoning for a "no knock" warrant, but I also understand why a homeowner would react violently to unknown people breaking his door down.
Solution: The police should be required to turn on their police car sirens and lights just before the door is breached.
That way, the homeowner at least has some clue that this is a police operation and not a criminal home invasion.
According to the article, they announced they were there to serve a warrant before “breaching the door”.
I have no idea how accurate the article is.
They announced their purpose. I would think on a 'no knock' there is no announcement before entering.
No no-knock.
After announcing that they were there to serve a warrant, officers breached the door and stepped into the house.
Smith was asking for trouble. He got it.
I agree. They are dangerous to the public and LE. They should be restricted to only cases where citizens are being held or considered in jeopardy and in broad daylight and where officers are in uniform. They should never be used by non-uniformed undercover officers or based upon tips from criminal scum or in night time raids where the public may believe they are being invaded.
Many self defense wary Americans not only train but keep firearms available to be used against break and entry situations. In the middle of the night it could get nasty in a hurry as the first tendency of many homeowners when their door is popped is to shoot first and ask questions later.
Especially by people who have weapons’ charges against them.