I find it interesting that the retired LEO gun enthusiasts discuss guns with civilian

[THEWELSHM]

Thanks all for the candid responses.

thewelshm

 

[shouldazagged]

I never feared responsible law-abiding gun owners. I do have a low tolerance for haters of any sort.

Same here. Very low.

I also have a motto, or whatever you'd call it: God deliver me from humorless devotees of any cause.

 

[458fan]

When I first began in civilian law enforcement, a number of close friends I had at the time no longer wished to associate with me further, for whatever their reasons. One can only imagine why.

I have been in law enforcement/investigations for over 28 years, and still going strong. Three of those years outside the military. These days, I spend training and mentoring young investigators who are extremely gung ho and want to build an immediate reputation. Naturally, these young LEOs don't start off making the best decisions in the field, but like any profession, time, training and experience eventually calm them down, resulting in better communication skills with the public and giving back to the community. It is easy to understand some of the perceptions from non-LE folks regarding our young LEOs.

Something that has to be considered. A number of policies/regulations exist for the many LE agencies, much the same as the military. Often times these rules hamper the LEOs abilities to use what was expected back in the day as good common sense in dealing with what ever situation arose. Even today, a LEO may get hammered for dereliction of duty for letting someone off easy, when it violated a particular policy for their department.

I have noticed most perceptions, whether good/bad, are based upon what is shown on television, which I think we can all agree can be rather slanted at times.

Throughout my many travels, many people have maintained a distance once they discovered my profession, often from the younger generation. It can be rather difficult breaking through this stigma.

I have never had any problems discussing hunting, shooting, reloading with anyone outside my profession, that is if they were willing to break through that wall of silence.

I go out shooting often and have met many new friends, and I must agree, those who love to shoot don't care where you work! I enjoy sharing my knowledge regarding firearms as much as I enjoy getting new information regardless who they are.

I can honestly say, the only person that I don't trust, is the fool with a gun who wishes to do harm to others.

 

[Biggfoot44]

At least in some regions , the phrase used by Politicians , lackies , and media is "gunsanddrugs" . Not an accidental typo, but a delibarate attempt to establish that guns and gun ownership is similar to possesing and using crack or heroin . Inherently bad , without any positive aspect , and a bad thing for society , that extraordinary measures must be taken to stamp them out.

 

[MI-LPTroll]

What gets me is I read an article the other day on how Texas is considering "allowing" police departments to sell confiscated firearms, as opposed to destroying them. There are ways for them to do it now but supposedly its a bit of a grey area. Austin and Houston were among a few mentioned who flat out said they will not participate if the bill passes. Their position was that the guns already committed crimes once and they don't want them back on the streets. It may be presumptuous of me to say so, but it almost gives me the impression they want less of them. I myself believe in the saying "An armed society is a polite society". Most of the statistics Ive seen show less fatalities in situations where the criminal wasnt the only one armed. As far as the OP goes, I think its great that LEOs get on forums like these, especially experienced ones. I think they have alot to bring to the table, just as members and veterans of the armed forces do. I for one appreciate them putting themselves out there.

Maybe just me?
God Bless
Dustin

 

[MI-LPTroll]

As an added note, I too notice civilians keeping distance from LEOs, but sometimes it almost seems like it can be the other way around. I think in some cases they take the position the OP mentioned in that maybe they dont feel it appropriate. The two Ive had the pleasure of getting to know were pretty active in the community, ranging from DARE officers to football coach, and the other being an active parent in my Boy Scout troop as a kid. LEOs are people too, people with a job like anyone else. Doesnt mean theyre bad people. I mean heck I joked around one winter night that a couple got stuck in my yard in a foot of snow (yes yard, woman driver ) I helped em get out and they were as grateful for the help as anyone else. We as human beings need to rise above the labels :/ .

 

[Checkman]

Well said and it about sums it up. Courtesy is a must, we've both worked with guys who could start a fight in a retirement home, I'd bet. On the other end of the scale, sometimes you have to insert a boot in someone's butt, the key is the ability to do both and the good sense to know the right time to do either.

Yes. It's a balancing act. One of my training officers liked to make fun of the touchy feely stuff. He really focused on the so-called "Inner child" thing. He then warped that concept so it applied to police work. He told me that a new officer who is unsure and even afraid of their legal authority (i.e. not power) will be eaten alive by the dirtbags. He was right. I experienced that myself in the beginning. They could sense it and it actually made my situation unsafer.

Anyway he said that as a police officer one needs to be able to find one's "Inner A******". Find it and then know when to call on it. Not all the time. Use it selectively and tactically. In our bigger urban areas cops use it all the time. I've had contact with some of those officers and they can be jerks to other officers as well. The so-called Brotherhood of the Badge is actually a myth in many ways.

Oh and I have no problems with private ownership of firearms. All you have to do is look me up to see that I have a Lifetime NRA membership.

 

[Checkman]

As an added note, I too notice civilians keeping distance from LEOs, but sometimes it almost seems like it can be the other way around. I think in some cases they take the position the OP mentioned in that maybe they dont feel it appropriate.

People are funny. Often I try to break the ice and say hello to folks when I'm working. It's not difficult and one thing I've noticed over the past thirteen years is that people remember their contact with the police.I might not because I speak to many people in just the course of one work week, but for most people talking to a cop is still an unusual event. Better that that contact be a positive one. If at all possible.

 

[Old cop]

I've always enjoyed shooting and talking guns w/anyone who shared my hobby regardless of who they are. People are just people and I've met a few jerks along the way, LEOs and otherwise. The jerks I give a wide berth, they're not worth my time. Almost everyone I've met on the Forum, or at the range, are good folks.

 

[shouldazagged]

I don't see crime or violence as being any worse than it was 40-odd years ago when I started out. If anything, many categories of crime are significantly reduced. I do perceive an increase in certain types of problems (street gangs, thrill crimes, etc), but even with that the overall incidence of serious and violent crime is actually lower now than it has been for many decades.

True. For all the breast-beating and handwringing about rampant crime in this country, and the intense and pervasive publicity given to very serious events, the figures are clear: reported violent crime is down and has been going down for a fair number of years.

That doesn't mean I feel safe and intend to give up carrying a gun, or that LEO's should lighten up too much, but it's a fact. And a lot of people doing the screaming have various axes to grind. Some, but not all, of an anti-gun bent.

One of the best "community policing" PR efforts I've seen is a quite decent rock 'n roll cover band called Street Heat, made up of uniformed officers of our Metro PD, that plays at all kinds of community events. No recruiting pitches, just an engaging group of talented cops coming across as very human and approachable. Kids especially love it.

 

[MI-LPTroll]

One of the best "community policing" PR efforts I've seen is a quite decent rock 'n roll cover band called Street Heat, made up of uniformed officers of our Metro PD, that plays at all kinds of community events. No recruiting pitches, just an engaging group of talented cops coming across as very human and approachable. Kids especially love it.

Thats awesome! Like Checkman said people remember their contact with police, and to give people the chance to have positive encounters and even engage the youth is outstanding.