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To: HairOfTheDog
Are you even listening to yourself?

Obviously, if the police are training their weapons on the occupants, the occupants are at greater risk than if there were not guns pointed at them. I cited an example where an innocent citizen was shot in the face by a FBI agent under similar circumstances, as he attempted to comply with the agent's orders. The FBI agent expected the citizen to exit his vehicle without unbuckling his seatbelt. Oops. Well, I'm sure that guy's back on the job...heck, he might be on this case.

So, clearly, my point is correct: the police are safer, and the occupants of the vehicle are less safe.

845 posted on 10/20/2002 9:13:40 PM PDT by B Knotts
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To: B Knotts
You cited an example where a cop made a mistake. It happens. It is really bad when it does.

But my punchline in that post states my position in defense of the felony-type stop in THESE circumstances:

"Handling potential felony stops this way doesn't give the occupants the opportunity to look like a threat in a moment of uncertainty, and increases safety for everyone involved."

YES including the officer's safety, which is not a trivial matter.

In assessing that need, we have to trust the instincts of the cops involved unless they prove unworthy of that trust. The trust has to go with the job.

The statistics are on my side on this.... Police make damn few unjustified shooting mistakes. Pretty good considering the human beings involved and the uncertainty of every felony stop situation they are involved in.
879 posted on 10/20/2002 9:34:01 PM PDT by HairOfTheDog
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