To get back to the original point of the post--which I don't believe was intended to create a pro-gun versus anti-gun debate (we alreadyhave that going on the Gun forum)--I think it is important for people to realize how danerous a man with a knife really is, even to a man armed witha gun. The police were enitrely correct in shooting this man if he threatened them and they reasonably believed he was a danger to themselves or others. I think the standard "safe" distance fort a police officer is taught as 21 feet--a dedicated man with a blade can close on your from that distance and cut you before you can draw your weapon from its retention holster. Especially if you are standing still. This is taught in virtually all police academies today and for good reason.
The bottom line is, if you are going to threaten someone with a knife, don't be surprised if you get shot. It's fully justified. A knife is just as fatal as a bullet; they cut arteries and nerves, they don't just punch little holes in you. It's as valid and justifiable a reason for shooting someone as them presenting a gun. That's true whether you're a cop or a civilian.
As far as the pro-gun US and no-gun UK debate, guys, I think you need to agree to disagree. You are not convincing each other, and this thread is best carried out in BriThai's stance in the other forum. We are all victims of our environments and past to some extent, and no one in one country can say what is right for someone else in another. Flame wars won't help.
But my opinion is that, based on the article that started this thread, the police were fully justified in shooting this man.
Besides, you should never go to a gunfight with a knife. I think it is interesting, however that in places where you aren't allowed to have guns or knives, criminals carry them anyway. So the law-abiding citizens in such places are always at the mercy of criminals. It's a mindset/legal thing. It's true whether the weapons involved are hands, sticks, edged weapons or firearms.
I'm glad these cops were armed with guns. They have no responsibility to "fight" anyone, and certainly no obligation to play fair. Their job is enforcing the peace and the law. Period. The daily objective when arriving on shift is to return home alive in the evening.
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Topic: Houston man with knife is fatally shot by police (Read 5369 times)