lemaymiami
Member
A few thoughts...
We're still not very good at identifying folks who aren't suited to have weapons - and might just do something awful if not dealt with properly (understatement). From what I've read there were plenty of signs with this individual - by "dealt with properly" I mean mental treatment and even being taken into custody until they're not a danger if necessary (custodial treatment - not jail or prison if they've not committed crimes when dealt with...) if that's what it takes... something we've not shown any inclination to do... Preventing a tragedy like this is worth some effort - rather than all the mechanisms for dealing with an "active shooter" as it happens - or afterwards when he's either captured or killed (and if captured - all the machinery of the justice system -then a life's worth of custodial care...).
As for bars and the prohibition against carrying firearms in bars - that I greatly approve of - and it ought to apply to cops that are not on duty as well. For a four year period as a young cop I'd gone through a divorce and spent too much time in bars off-duty - always armed... Looking back on it that was a very bad idea - and should be prohibited by every police agency (believe I'd have complied with such a requirement - but certainly knew officers who would never have complied willingly with that kind of regulation...). Places that serve alcohol are always hazardous for cops (on or off duty) - just too many opportunities for conflict in my experience. Yes you can have a beverage and not be at risk - but the potential is always there... Most in law enforcement today might or might not agree with my opinion here - but it does come from experience and a bit of perspective years later... My years of drinking while carrying a firearm were the late seventies... Funny thing... when I re-married, I never went to bars at all...
We're still not very good at identifying folks who aren't suited to have weapons - and might just do something awful if not dealt with properly (understatement). From what I've read there were plenty of signs with this individual - by "dealt with properly" I mean mental treatment and even being taken into custody until they're not a danger if necessary (custodial treatment - not jail or prison if they've not committed crimes when dealt with...) if that's what it takes... something we've not shown any inclination to do... Preventing a tragedy like this is worth some effort - rather than all the mechanisms for dealing with an "active shooter" as it happens - or afterwards when he's either captured or killed (and if captured - all the machinery of the justice system -then a life's worth of custodial care...).
As for bars and the prohibition against carrying firearms in bars - that I greatly approve of - and it ought to apply to cops that are not on duty as well. For a four year period as a young cop I'd gone through a divorce and spent too much time in bars off-duty - always armed... Looking back on it that was a very bad idea - and should be prohibited by every police agency (believe I'd have complied with such a requirement - but certainly knew officers who would never have complied willingly with that kind of regulation...). Places that serve alcohol are always hazardous for cops (on or off duty) - just too many opportunities for conflict in my experience. Yes you can have a beverage and not be at risk - but the potential is always there... Most in law enforcement today might or might not agree with my opinion here - but it does come from experience and a bit of perspective years later... My years of drinking while carrying a firearm were the late seventies... Funny thing... when I re-married, I never went to bars at all...