Quote from L-Kabong:
That's an interesting statistic. Is it from the FBI?
Don't recall off the top of my head, but I didn't just pull it out of my ass. Many of these types of stats though do originate there. It would take awhile for me to track down the source, if you're disputing.
I doubt civilians as a whole are better trained than police officers
Many anti gun loons assume this very thing. it's humane nature to assume things you don't really know if it makes sense on the surface AND reinforces whatever preconceived notions you may have.
You'd probably need to define "training". For example, while I have very little in the way of formal training (I do have some)I've been handling firearms without incident for over 40 years. Compare that to a 21 year old rookie cop. Unless he's a returning war vet, I've been shooting twice as long as he's been alive. I have more knowledge, more experience, more gun prowess, more trigger time and have been exposed to more types of weapons than he has.
So in this example, who would you feel better about being armed?
A uniform and a badge don't make you an expert. I can go to the Halloween store and buy a cop suit.
so If the 5.2 fold differential is correct, I think you have to examine whether situational differences between police shootings and civilian shooting impact the outcomes.
It would certainly make sense
Some police enter situations prepared for an armed battle,such as exercising an arrest warrant on a dangerous suspect
Yes they do and from the reading I've done this is often where they shoot the wrong person. They're hyped up they break down the wrong door they see a guy holding a hair dryer and boom, he's dead. Happens all too often.
My guess, ... is that a high proportion of civilian shootings are deliberate and perhaps one sided; that is, one side is armed, and the other isn't
Well I would hope the police shootings, remember these are the ones you claim are better trained, would be a little more deliberate. In fact anytime you're pointing a weapon at someone, squeezing the trigger should be well 'thought out" deliberate act. You just have to think in a hurry in most situations. (one reason why not necessarily everyone should arm themselves) I have not noticed any big difference between civilian and police shootings as far as the perp being armed. If anything I'd guess police shoot more unarmed people that anyone else. Remember, police often get a free pass when they fuck up.
The average armed citizen does not. Hence one reason, imo, why they tend to shoot the wrong person less often. They HAVE to, to stay out of prison.
The police don't. Also it's far more difficult for an armed citizen to justify shooting someone not armed. The police do it and get away with it all the time.
Now do your stats refer solely to civilian defensive shootings, that is, a civilian who is faced with a deadly encounter and fires in response?
So far as I know yes.
Plus, Lucrum, you can do this without rancor because it really is
an apolitical issue!
I have my good moments.