> The armed citizenry and police are natural allies. <
Yes. But two points:
One, the police officer has qualified immunity. The citizen does not. So a citizen who goes too far (as determined by a confused DA) might be in a bit of trouble.
And two, there have been instances where later-arriving police mistake the good citizen for a bad guy. And so the good citizen gets shot by the police.
I’m not arguing against citizens helping the police. Not at all. I’m just pointing out a few things that must be kept in mind.
I’m in agreement with your opinion. As a concealed weapon license holder, I am very reluctant to enter into a gunfight unless it is to protect myself and my family, in particularly on our own property.
The probability of totally innocent people getting shot is the main deterrent. This may sound cowardly, but I have no desire to be sued for a wrongful death or for some lib DA go after me.
You should be.
Remember the case of John Hurley. No good deed goes unpunished.
In the Washington State the law gives more leeway to the citizen than it does the police when it comes to self defense.
Legislative recognition: “The legislature recognizes that RCW 9A.16.040 establishes a dual standard with respect to the use of deadly force by peace officers and private citizens, and further recognizes that private citizens’ permissible use of deadly force under the authority of RCW 9.01.200, 9A.16.020, or 9A.16.050 is not restricted and remains broader than the limitations imposed on peace officers.” [ 1986 c 209 § 3.]
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I wonder what the circumstances were when the cop saw the guy with a weapon and told him to “disarm”. Was he waving it around? Pointing it? Or was it in his holster?
I guess once the guy started shooting it was clear that cops needed to intervene. I sure hope it wasn’t just a guy with a gun in his holster.