I can't speak for anyone else, but you're wrong about me in this regard. I own several guns and have, on occasion, put down an animal with a gun. I have also had to call police to put down a dog - in city limits were it was illegal to discharge a firearm. I appreciate the law enforcement officers who have to do this from time to time - I know that they neither relish nor shrink from the duty.
They would also defend the police stealing Joe Q.'s gun.
Wrong again.
There is a big difference between a stray and rabid dog, and a family pet.
This episode is simply the latest in a long string of abuses by the police, followed by extensive coverup, deception, and spin.
"We the people" are getting tired of the militarization and misconduct of the police. The justifiable anger is showing up on this thread.
Basically, I break the police down into three groups.
The first group takes their oath to the Constitution seriously. They personify "protect and serve", and treat decent Americans with respect. Their primary concern is getting the violent felons off the street and helping out people.
The second group are tax collectors. They sit in their cruisers all day, and look for opportunities to steal money from people and transfer it to the state. Instead of giving tickets for dangerous behavior, such as 'following too closely', they target those who speed or those who run a red light instead of breaking hard at a light.
The final group are the jack booted thugs. They wear masks and love pointing guns at women and children. They get off on the fact that they can make other people do whatever they say. The enjoy ruining the lives of decent Americans because of some bogas law passed by a corrupt politician. They believe their uniform gives them magical powers and makes them fit to rule over us peasants.
Until groups #2 and #3 are weeded out by the police leadership, expect the level of disrespect, distrust, and anger to increase.