This is a bit off topic but if I were a person that was upset about people calling police anytime they saw someone with a gun then I would consider calling the police anytime I saw a police officer walking around in public. Call the non emergency number and simply state that there is a man or woman walking around or in a store with an open carry weapon. No need to identify them as a police officer because you have no way of knowing for a fact that the person is a legitimate officer right? All you see is a person with a gun and you know that the best response is to call the police.
Cops are presumed to be trained and qualified. That's not the case with civilians. We have no way of knowing if a man with a gun is a good guy or a bad guy, so calling the cops is often appropriate.
Original poster anon here - not a Harvard law professor. My point was that without getting up close to a supposed "police officer" and verifying that they have a legitimate badge, there is no real way to safely determine if that person is a cop or not. Therefore, the sight of the openly displayed gun should cause one to call the police (at their designated phone number so that you know you are really talking to the police) and ask a certified real police officer to check this person out. As noted, we have not way of knowing if the person walking around is a good guy or not so calling the cops would be appropriate.
You said you were a Harvard law professor. Your looney statements like this one are unlike any other anon on this site. Not necessary to respond to such lunacy.
not a Harvard law professor... can't you read? If the site of someone carrying a gun in the open disturbs you then you should be disturbed anytime you see someone dressed like a police officer with a gun right?
No, that's not right. Mentally ill people dressing up as cops is pretty rare. That's why I said when we see a cop we presume he's a good guy. When we see a civilian with a gun, it's impossible to tell.
This is a bit off topic but if I were a person that was upset about people calling police anytime they saw someone with a gun then I would consider calling the police anytime I saw a police officer walking around in public. Call the non emergency number and simply state that there is a man or woman walking around or in a store with an open carry weapon. No need to identify them as a police officer because you have no way of knowing for a fact that the person is a legitimate officer right? All you see is a person with a gun and you know that the best response is to call the police.
ReplyDeleteNot only off topic, but off reality. But hey, you are a Harvard law professor, right?
DeleteCops are presumed to be trained and qualified. That's not the case with civilians. We have no way of knowing if a man with a gun is a good guy or a bad guy, so calling the cops is often appropriate.
DeleteOriginal poster anon here - not a Harvard law professor. My point was that without getting up close to a supposed "police officer" and verifying that they have a legitimate badge, there is no real way to safely determine if that person is a cop or not. Therefore, the sight of the openly displayed gun should cause one to call the police (at their designated phone number so that you know you are really talking to the police) and ask a certified real police officer to check this person out. As noted, we have not way of knowing if the person walking around is a good guy or not so calling the cops would be appropriate.
DeleteWhich is exactly why open carry should not be allowed. Thanks for defining why open carry is dangerously confusing.
Deleteso do you call the police anytime you see someone dressed up like a police officer open carrying a weapon? It is your civic duty to do so you know.
DeleteYou said you were a Harvard law professor. Your looney statements like this one are unlike any other anon on this site. Not necessary to respond to such lunacy.
Deletenot a Harvard law professor... can't you read? If the site of someone carrying a gun in the open disturbs you then you should be disturbed anytime you see someone dressed like a police officer with a gun right?
DeleteNo, that's not right. Mentally ill people dressing up as cops is pretty rare. That's why I said when we see a cop we presume he's a good guy. When we see a civilian with a gun, it's impossible to tell.
Delete