The two deputies killed in Florida 6 weeks ago...

[jon_norstog]

A little followup on two officers down ...

I came across this today.

SafeState : Focus Areas : Domestic Violence : Firearms and Domestic Violence

It sites some statistics, for openers. In 2005, 1,858 women and girls were murdered by men and boys. The most common weapon was a gun, used in 52% of the cases (72% of those cases in which a weapon was used). The study didn't focus on women killing men, which does happen, but not as much.

Anyway, the website goes on to say that there is a 2-county pilot study in California where Family Court, when it issues a restraining order, also issues a firearms confiscation order. The person who is served with the order has 24 hours to turn in all his (or her) guns and ammo. After that they send out the sheriff.

Well, I suspect this is something that a lot of people on this list might have a comment or two about. But if it all went according to plan, it's the sort of thing that could have saved the lives of two officers in Florida. On the other hand, I can see a firearms confiscation turning into a SWAT call pretty easily. Guess I'll wait for the results of the pilot study.

Meanwhile, I think if the NRA wanted to do us some good, it would figure out an alternate method of dealing with "problem" gun owners, an alternative to government confiscation.

Well, that's my two cents worth, anyway.

jn

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[Capt Quahog]

Perhaps there needs to be an addendum to the police field manual. This situation just on it's face looks to be a formula for disaster. Let's see . . . a domestic dispute with a violent husband and wife beef. The husband can be figured to be in a confrontational mindset and is at a gun range, probably with a weapon in lock n' mode. Talk about a dangerous scenario!

Cops go into the place and just Taser the guy? There must be a part or two of this story that's been left out. Logic would suggest that even a know nothing civilian like myself would size up the situation. Then try to first talk with the guy to find out where his head is at. It would be assumed, especially by trained police personnel, that this jerk is armed without a gun being in sight. Using overt non-lethal force against a possible lethally armed individual is very stupid. Something big is missing in this story.

Anyway it's sliced . . . the whole thing is a very bad and sad situation. If this saga is true, then a good n' slippery lawyer could possibly work the initial Taser attack into the killer's court defense. So stunned by the electrical shock was he, that instinct took over. The harsh electrical pulse of the non-lethal weapon short circuited the defendant's brain and the police officers were seen to be just two blurry attackers. It was a form of instinctive self defense carried-out by his active sub-conscious during temporary amnesia having been directly caused by the cop's Taser. Then they have a couple of paid whowa psychiatrists testify for the defense to back up this pile of bullcrap.

All there has to be is reasonable doubt in the jury's thinking. The way it is, if some hotshot DA goes for a Murder-One thing and over-charges this guy, a jury could let him walk. As weird and perverse as things are these days, the law enforcement officers might even be blamed for causing their own deaths.