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Regular readers are familiar with my "Only One" files. The name originated from the infamous incident where a DEA agent told a classroom full of children he was the only one professional enough to carry a gun and then proceeded to shoot himself in front of them.
From time to time I restate the reason I present stories showing those employed by government aren't automatically better trained or more trustworthy than the rest of us:
The purpose of this feature has never been to bash cops. The only reason I do this is to amass a credible body of evidence to present when those who would deny our right to keep and bear arms use the argument that only government enforcers are professional and trained enough to do so safely and responsibly. And it's also used to illustrate when those of official status, rank or privilege, both in law enforcement and in some other government position, get special breaks not available to we commoners, particularly (but not exclusively) when they're involved in gun-related incidents.
That the antis don't like having such incidents pointed out is evident by their characterizing doing so as "denigrat[ing] law enforcement." That's fine—let 'em get their knickers bunched. As long as they keep pushing the lie that those with badges are the only ones we can trust with guns, I'll keep countering it.
And I'll also continue to acknowledge when those in positions of authority promote the truth, as has happened in Texas and Ohio.
You farmers, I'm telling you right now, arm yourselves. As they say the old story is, it's better to be tried by 12 than carried by six. Damn it, I don't want to see six people carrying you.
- Hudspeth County Sheriff Arvin West
And from WKYC:
Ashtabula County Common Pleas Judge Alfred Mackey was asked what residents should do to protect themselves and their families with the severe cutback in law enforcement.
"Arm themselves," the judge said. "Be very careful, be vigilant, get in touch with your neighbors, because we're going to have to look after each other."
These professionals realize that law enforcement has no ability to protect individuals and no legal obligation to do so. In the final analysis, we must be prepared—and equipped—to protect ourselves. Or not.
Which means we have a choice.
We can listen to them, or we can listen to those who insist on the government making the decision for us, by not allowing us a choice.
Off-duty officer injured when gun accidentally fires
Choose.
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Comments
The double standard of police vs ordinary citizens is reflected in the controversy over the concealed carry law for bars and restaurants that will soon be signed into law. The Virginia Beach Chief of Police seems to think that it is OK for his officers to carry and drink but that there will be endless shootouts if us ordinary citizens are granted that privilege. To quote Chief Jacocks “[it] is irresponsible for anyone other than a law enforcement officer to carry a firearm into a bar.” In order to obtain a concealed carry permit the person has to go through extensive background checks. These checks are certainly as thorough as any a prospective police officer must go through. Most private citizens have as much training on gun safety and use of a firearm for self defense as police officer do.
Michael, most individuals who carry a gun "in public" have far MORE training and range time than the average cop anywhere. They "qualify" once or twice a year. I shoot at least weekly, and am a firearms instructor. Who is better qualified to carry?
There is no difference between a restaurant or the grocery store. The idea that a patron is more apt to shoot his seatmates when the place sells alcoholic drinks, especially this 51% nonsense, is ludicrous. You don't think they lock up all their guns at home if they pop a brew, do you? How many of those go on to shoot up the neighborhood?
If a criminal wants to harm someone, the "law" against being armed isn't going to influence them in the least - but it will provide him/her with unarmed victims and little risk. Look up Susana Hupp if you are not familiar with the subject.
Hey MamaLiberty, you are preaching to the choir. I was being generous to the police when I said private citizens have at least as much training as the police. I am like you and practice at the range once a week. I have taken defensive firearms courses. You are correct on every point. But logic, statistics, and common sense seem to not matter to most anti's.
The AMAZING thing is that most people errantly believe that the Police are legally obligated to protect people. It is really hard to get anti's to believe otherwise, I have tried.
In Sacramento there are numerous infamous stories of cops in one local bar getting drunk and threatening people while flashing their guns. Civilians stay out of the bar now. The police should not have anymore privileges than the average citizen. And cops do want you to believe that they are the only protection you have and they push that theme even though they only arrive after a crime has been done. Why? Because they do not want you to buy a gun and take classes and learn to protect yourself. Then you would not need as many of them. Their privileged place in society would revert back to that of public servant being held accountable for their actions. How many times have they fought citzen review groups across this county unless they can stack the group with retired cops? Before a cop became a cop he was just like you and me. When he chose the job he knew he would be under a microscope so he should quit whinning. Like any public servant they need to be held accountable.
Mama Liberty hit the nail on the head: Luby's Cafeteria, Kileen, TX.
Another name I'd like people to remember is Mrs. Kathryn Johnson (80 yrs.) of Atlanta, GA., who was murdered while attempting to defend her home from lying Joint Task Force jackbooted-thugs possessing an unlawful warrant who had just kicked in her front door.
"No matter how cynical I get, I just can't keep up." - Lily Tomlin
Michael, most individuals who carry a gun "in public" have far MORE training and range time than the average cop anywhere. They "qualify" once or twice a year. I shoot at least weekly, and am a firearms instructor. Who is better qualified to carry?
One of the deputies in my county had to try seven (that's right, 7) times before he qualified.
Who gives a shot what they think? We the people have the 2nd Amendment. It's our amendment/constitution NOT the Government's! It is up to "we the people" to interpret and ENFORCE it. If the courts or legislatures get it wrong, it is up to "we the people" to ensure they get it corrected. Keep up the fight.
As an update to the "only ones" file: DEA Special Agent Lee Paige, inadvertant star of a video where he shoots him self in the foot in front of a classroom of kids (see the link David provides above in the first paragraph: "shoot himself"), is now sueing the government for releasing the video and making him look like a fool.
I would strongly suggest everyone look at the video and see how many safety rules Agent Paige breaks in the process of showing the kids what an "accidental discharge" looks like.
My personal favorite part is when Agent Paige, in his very best "the show must go on" voice, trying to ignore the .40 cal hole in his foot, continues with his presentation and asks another adult to hand him what looks like an AR. You can very clearly hear a student yelling for him to "Put it down!, Put it down!"
That student evidently felt that Agent Paige didn't need any help from the DEA to make himself look like a fool.
You literally can't make this stuff up.
The ghost of Paul Revere was spotted carring a saddle,heading towards the horse barn.Stay tuned .More Breaking News comming soon.
By the way, where do the criminals go to practice? They out shoot the cops. Gangster, 3 shots &3 hits. Cops , 40 rounds shot & 1 hit. I want to practice where the gangster does.
In answer to Don Holmes. The gangsters don't practice. They get their marksmanship advantage from personal attributes of courage and experience. They may not be choir boys, but they live in violent milieus and develop courage or expire even earlier than they planned for. They do not have life expectations of longevity. Couple this fatalism with courage,though misused, and they remain calm or at least calmer than police and shoot straighter. On the other hand, cops purposely seek out law abiding peaceable citizens to roust and bully. Because of this they get very little phyical and almost no deadly resistance, unless of course, they run up against a gangster. The crashing of their world where they are not treated like gods, but are resisted just as fervently as would a member of an opposing gang (which, by the way, they are), scares them silly and they just pull the trigger and reload and pull the trigger and reload , etc., etc., until they run out of ammunition or the law of (cont)
(cont) averages finally takes effect and one or two rounds from the platoon of cops shooting at one individual accidentally finds its mark.
Not to imbue the gangsters with any respect, but courage under fire is a requirement. Cops, not so much.
I live in Philadelphia, and I'm sure most of you are aware that we have some of the most arrogant, ego-maniacal, violent police there are. In fact, there is a trial scheduled to begin soon of a police officer who got so loaded at a bar while off duty that when he stumbled out to the street and couldn't remember where he parked, he got belligerent with patrons from another bar about to get into their own car and go home. Naturally the situation escalated, the officer made death threats, hinting that he would get away with whatever he wanted to do, and proceeded to kick out the headlight of the civilians car. Not knowing that he was dealing with an off duty, the owner of the car got physical with the officer, prompting him to draw his service weapon and fire drunkenly all around the immediate area. Luckily no one was killed in this incident, though one man was injured. This type of behavior is far from rare, and often times the poor soul who gets on the cops bad side doesn't live to sue.
DAVID, SEVERAL YEARS AGO I READ IN ONE OF THE POPULAR PERIODICALS "THAT 20% OF THE TIME A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER DRAWS HIS GUN HE SHOOTS HIMSELF OR ANOTHER L.E.O."
AFTER WATCHING L.E.O. AT PUBLIC RANGES OR LOCAL SHOOTING AREAS I AM VERY CAREFUL AND SOMETIMES LEAVE.
For another fairly recent example, look up Billy Tapas Jr. Who was shot by an off duty in front of the officers home while he was doing the officers job for him. Er, to him.
Spook says what I have contended my whole life. Since when did US citizens decide the government has all the answers? Since the 1960's "free speech" movement got sidetracked by the "power to the people" movement, which morphed into the police state we all have today, OWNED, OPERATED, AND CONTROLLED by the same people who wanted SMALLER government when Nixon was "in charge"! Go figure. Time to lock, load, then be prepared to UNLOCK and fire when you see the whites of their eyes. They won't know what happened, but they will have brought it on themselves.
To straightarrow. you are exactly right I would preffer to be fired apon by a officer any time.Only their gang comes in larger numbers. its called a handycap.(with unlimited resorces).
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