What are your thoughts on the failure to indict the police officer in Ferguson MO

[Tazio]

I understood the story as Anfield 5 did .The big problem with the states is the majority are armed.

That's pretty funny daddy-o
The latest figures state that 4.8% of Americans legally carry concealed firearms. In my State California the most populous State 35,000 have concealed permits. That is .12% of the total population. A lot of Americans own firearms roughly 40% of the population, but few actually carry their hoglegs with them. Even counting illegal carriers, I seriously doubt it is more than about 10%, and 'ace with all due respect you don't have a clue what gives in this country. I don't carry or even own a gun, do not feel the least bit threatened, and I believe the vast majority of my family, and network of friends feel the same way. Now Florida...... those people are wack with their gun laws, and not representative of the majority of U.S.

In 2012, the share of American households with guns was 34 percent, according to survey results released on Thursday. Researchers said the difference compared with 2010, when the rate was 32 percent, was not statistically significant. The findings contrast with the impression left by a flurry of news reports about people rushing to buy guns and clearing shop shelves of assault rifles after the massacre last year at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn.
“There are all these claims that gun ownership is going through the roof,” said Daniel Webster, the director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research. “But I suspect the increase in gun sales has been limited mostly to current gun owners. The most reputable surveys show a decline over time in the share of households with guns.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/10/us...anted=all&_r=0

Sorry to burst your bubble mate!

[airshifter]

That's pretty funny daddy-o
The latest figures state that 4.8% of Americans legally carry concealed firearms. In my State California the most populous State 35,000 have concealed permits. That is .12% of the total population. A lot of Americans own firearms roughly 40% of the population, but few actually carry their hoglegs with them. Even counting illegal carriers, I seriously doubt it is more than about 10%, and 'ace with all due respect you don't have a clue what gives in this country. I don't carry or even own a gun, do not feel the least bit threatened, and I believe the vast majority of my family, and network of friends feel the same way. Now Florida...... those people are wack with their gun laws, and not representative of the majority of U.S.
Sorry to burst your bubble mate!

By now you should know to save the keystrokes Taz. I've seen far too many posts where people that don't understand the facts about our gun laws and obviously don't understand the culture will tell us how it is. I'd have stopped out in California to tell you that, but I'm sure you're armed and would shoot me for a differing opinion!


It seems that several businesses in the area of mass destruction went untouched. The liberal media is failing to report anything about it. Probably because they were protected by lawful gun owners that didn't threaten anyone.

[Rollo]

It seems that several businesses in the area of mass destruction went untouched. The liberal media is failing to report anything about it. Probably because they were protected by lawful gun owners that didn't threaten anyone.

The conservative media is also failing to report anything about it.
Ordinary life doesn't get reported by media, of all shades.

[Tazio]

Let it go Rollo these sentiments are almost dead in my country AFAIK!!!!!
Life is good in Ca. and petrol is $2.76 a USG............mate!
Cops blow away perceived bad guys., don't put a bullseye on your back mate, in any form reference or any otherf colorful soliloquy ........,.,.,.,

[Starter]

The conservative media is also failing to report anything about it.
Ordinary life doesn't get reported by media, of all shades.

Too true.

[Starter]

So, did he or did he not rob the store?

Yes, it's clearly shown on the store's camera.

[driveace]

SO Taz ,what's your views on the Police being armed ?
IF your Police did not carry guns ,would people still apply for the job of Police Officer ?
And your the cop confronted by Mr Brown coming out of the store he has just robbed ,and he comes over to you ,put his hand on the top of your gun ,which you have drawn What's your next move ?

[Malbec]

SO Taz ,what's your views on the Police being armed ?
IF your Police did not carry guns ,would people still apply for the job of Police Officer ?
And your the cop confronted by Mr Brown coming out of the store he has just robbed ,and he comes over to you ,put his hand on the top of your gun ,which you have drawn What's your next move ?

The USA isn't the UK. A police officer doing his/her job in the US is likely to encounter armed criminals fairly regularly. In the UK its highly unlikely although its getting more common in some areas for the same reasons it is in the US, gang culture and inter-gang warfare.

IMO it would be negligent sending police officers unarmed into situations where they may encounter armed criminals, and a shop robbery would be exactly that kind of situation.

I'm not particularly familiar with the Ferguson case nor the more recent one of a 12 year old boy shot dead for pulling out a BB gun on police officers but I would be very hesitant to condemn a police officer for making an on-the-spot decision to shoot someone in self defence in the belief that the criminal is about to use a weapon on them. It is too easy to condemn looking at the situation through a retrospectoscope in the comfort of your own home with plenty of time to peruse what happened in a matter of seconds, quite another to make that decision to draw your weapon and pull the trigger when under a lot of duress where your own life is at stake.

That is not to say that the situation should be forgotten about, an inquiry is/was necessary if only to ensure police officers do not feel entitled to use lethal force with the belief there will not be consequences for them if it is misused.

[Tazio]

SO Taz ,what's your views on the Police being armed ?

Without a doubt I think they should be.
However I wish "my" police department's culture was one that encouraged the officers to blow people away less often.

IF your Police did not carry guns ,would people still apply for the job of Police Officer ?

If you mean by my police you are referring to the SDPD I would say yes, some would TBH.

And your the cop confronted by Mr Brown coming out of the store he has just robbed ,and he comes over to you ,put his hand on the top of your gun ,which you have drawn What's your next move ?

I think you are confused mate, I've never condemned this cop for having resorted to lethal force.
The problem I have with the police in San Diego is they tend to use lethal force too many times when other measures that simply require some cognitive thinking skills would preserve both parties health.
The SDPD don't shoot suspects, they empty their clips into them.

Also, San Diego is not a racially charged community like many less socially evolved, and less civilized parts of this country/world. For the most part people of color, as well as all ethnic backgrounds tend to interact normally. The police do not discriminate here, although they do tend to shoot unarmed homeless, and or mentally ill types.

[driveace]

Should the cop have to resign ?