Police officers are considered �always on duty� and may be asked/needed to respond even when they are not actually on shift. I doubt very few people have a problem with a licensed police officer carrying a weapon since they are well trained both as to when and how to use firearms. They also have the legal authority and responsibility for affecting arrests and unfortunately, sometimes need to have/use a weapon to do so.
This �conceal carry� legislation that was passed in this session removed the ability of local police/sheriffs to do determine who may have a permit to carry a weapon. Previously, local law enforcement could make that determination but are now forced to give a permit to most any non-felon who wants one. Testimony from law enforcement professionals was nearly unanimous in opposition to changing �may issue� to �shall issue�. Many of them cited examples of individuals in their community who may not have a felony conviction on their record but are clearly the kind of people who you don�t want to be legally carrying a weapon around. Just a few examples: some are bullies, some are the town drunk(s), some are people with violent tempers, some are people who are �just plain off their rocker�, some are people who don�t get along with other people and everyone is afraid of them, some are people who are repeated troublemakers, as well other examples. (Best quip was from an deputy sheriff from southern Minnesota who noted that "it's mostly crazy republicans who want to carry; they think everyone's out to get them"!) Several chiefs/sheriffs pointed out that they have had trouble with �police wannabe�s� who want to have a license so they can �help the cops catch the crooks�. As any law enforcement officer will tell you, the last thing they want when they are in a dangerous situation with weapons drawn are a bunch of well meaning civilians suddenly producing a gun at the scene to �lend a hand� . �For a person who feels the need to carry a concealed handgun, there must be an innate desire that their personal safety requires one. For many this should be allowed.� I must ask: why? Simply because a person feels an innate desire to do something is hardly reason why it must be tolerated. I have no data to verify it, but my own suspicion is that most people who want to carry a handgun are less concerned about personal safety an more interested in making a point - they are tougher than any one else and have a gun on their person to prove it. I do not for one minute believe that an armed citizenry is a safer one. Jim Bernstein Fulton -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Nick Pladson Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2003 1:41 PM To: MPLS Issues Forum Subject: Re: [Mpls] gun signs As a new member to this discussion, I may be responding to a weak thread, but I'll use it as my chance to opine. � I'm not sure if Ms. Martens is aware, but 2'x3' cardboard signs don't stop people from carrying weapons into a building anymore than her rhetoric of "guns are bad, mmmkay".� � I'm not a handgun owner.� I don't have a permit.� I do own a shotgun for seasonal hunting and I have had a safety certificate since I was able to attain one at the age of 12.� I live in Minneapolis, don't always lock my doors and would not have a problem walking down any street in this fine city. � Personally, I think that the conceal carry legislation was a bit misguided in that it didn't provide for necessary exemptions for churches and schools.� But if you are attempting to fully restrict anyone from carrying weapons into a church or school, these facilities would have to establish some fairly sophisticated security devices to do so.� For a person who feels the need to carry a concealed handgun, there must be an inate desire that their personal safety requires one.� For many this should be allowed.� Many police officers carry concealed weapons off-duty.� Their line of work puts them in touch with many folk who, outside of uniform, would not treat them with the respect they deserve; if you get my drift.� You may not understand their need to carry, but you haven't walked in their shoes.� No good will or window sign is going to deter them from carrying their weapons which you would have no idea were being carried in the first plac e.� � Lastly, I truly hope you don't believe that the end to gun violence will be when people stop purchasing guns.� That is as misguided and euphoric a thought as there can ever be.� If that logic were true then the following would also be true: no military = no war.� Do you Yahoo!? Protect your identity with Yahoo! Mail AddressGuard REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
