by C. Richard Archie » Fri Aug 07, 2009 7:18 am
No one is contesting the LEO's commitment.
But, given the number of on duty officers, and off duty officers, if every one of them carried a full race EBR, a couple of pistols, a shotgun and two rocket launchers, there still would be only one per every 2000 people. Now, given that a certain amount of them are going to be assigned to traffic duty, some man the radios back at base, some have to sleep, some have kids ad families that they go see from time to time, what number are out "protecting" the general populace at any one time? They are charged with the investigation of crime only, not responsible for preventing it, or providing protection to the Citizens who are their employers.
LE is comprised of men and women, not super hero's with X-ray vision, ability to fly, nor some magical metaphysical ability to be all places at all times. They can not read the minds of men to forestall evil. Like my football coach said when exhorting our poorly manned West TN small town team just prior to the State Championship game against he Big City Prep school team who had more dressed out members than the population of our whole school, “They put their pants on one leg at the time, they ain’t Superman!” He was right then, and we are right now. LE is simply a job, deserving of our gratitude and respect for sure, but there should be no special privilege regarding the possession of Arms assigned above and beyond that of the average citizen. Nothing in the Constitution says that the constabulary shall be given special Rights. They chose the line of work they are in, it is simply the avocation they desired to spend their time performing to provide for themselves and their families.
If LEO’s want to change the nature of their duty, and will sign a contract with the general populace guaranteeing that we can go about our daily lives free from concern over crime of any type, then I will gladly lay down the mantle of self responsibility for my personal safety, and that of my family. But until LEO' are willing to sign that contract putting their personal property up as collateral for MY safety, I will adhere to the guarantees given me by the documents that form the foundation of our government, i.e. the 2nd Amendment of the Bill of Rights, and Article 1, Section 26 of the Tennessee Constitution.
I have many friends, and several family members in LE, I know the difficulty of the job. I respect and admire the good ones, I fear the bad ones. They are simply common people in a specific line of work, employees of the populace, not Masters of it.
"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds." Samuel Adams
TFA/NRA Life Member
Chapter Leader, West TN Regional Chapter