1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
re:
Quote:
>I would think that aiming a weapon at someone escalates the situation. I dont mean just brandishing, that I'd understand as your trying to reinforce your authority, but to put the muzzle in thier face as an unmistakeable threat.
Your forcing a choice on the target to fight, flee, or submit. 2 in 3 chance of getting a reaction you dont want.<
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Before this one goes into an uncontrolled cop-bashing...a few points:
1. The draw-down while executing an arrest is threat-management, intended to demonstrate to the perp that "This is real, so don't make the wrong move" rather than an active threat and/or escalation. Many times it's done because the cop on the scene saw something that called for his weapon to be deployed...maybe something subtle that would go unnoticed
by the average Joe Blow on the street. In tense situations like this, adrenalin also plays a huge role in the ensuing action. A finger may be pressing harder on the trigger than we're aware of. A quick or furtive move by the perp is all it takes to nudge an already twitchy finger to the point of no return. We don't have all the details yet...Remember that.
2. Most cops are pretty squared away when it comes to situations like this, and while there are a few who really aren't competent as to gun-handling and other aspects of police work...most are. To use isolated incidents like this to label all cops as Barney Fife-esque bumbling fools who shouldn't be allowed to carry a loaded gun...or as dishonest/corrupt cops who have an agenda or a dark reason to murder a suspect on the scene is both reckless and inflammatory.
Let's focus on THIS cop and on THIS situation until all the facts are in before making a judgement call.
We now return you to our regularly-scheduled flame war.
Quote:
>I would think that aiming a weapon at someone escalates the situation. I dont mean just brandishing, that I'd understand as your trying to reinforce your authority, but to put the muzzle in thier face as an unmistakeable threat.
Your forcing a choice on the target to fight, flee, or submit. 2 in 3 chance of getting a reaction you dont want.<
**************************
Before this one goes into an uncontrolled cop-bashing...a few points:
1. The draw-down while executing an arrest is threat-management, intended to demonstrate to the perp that "This is real, so don't make the wrong move" rather than an active threat and/or escalation. Many times it's done because the cop on the scene saw something that called for his weapon to be deployed...maybe something subtle that would go unnoticed
by the average Joe Blow on the street. In tense situations like this, adrenalin also plays a huge role in the ensuing action. A finger may be pressing harder on the trigger than we're aware of. A quick or furtive move by the perp is all it takes to nudge an already twitchy finger to the point of no return. We don't have all the details yet...Remember that.
2. Most cops are pretty squared away when it comes to situations like this, and while there are a few who really aren't competent as to gun-handling and other aspects of police work...most are. To use isolated incidents like this to label all cops as Barney Fife-esque bumbling fools who shouldn't be allowed to carry a loaded gun...or as dishonest/corrupt cops who have an agenda or a dark reason to murder a suspect on the scene is both reckless and inflammatory.
Let's focus on THIS cop and on THIS situation until all the facts are in before making a judgement call.
We now return you to our regularly-scheduled flame war.