Haven't read much of this thread, but as the article I posted shows, LE still face perps who are armed with assault rifles. One of the issues talked about over the Ferguson controversy is how police have built up their armory into military sort of standards. Well, it was not that long ago where the LA police had a "Heat" type shootout with bank robbers who were better armed than the LE. The robbers were better protected than most of the soldiers during the first wave of the Iraq war with protective vests and such too.
It's a violent world out there, and the people on our domestic front lines are the ones in LE. They have famiiles too.
Yeah, let's bring up one of the few, if only, cases where perps were armed to that level to justify ALL police agencies becoming domestic armies.
I brought this up earlier. The point is that why should police not be able to arm themselves for whatever is possible? Of course the last time I said that, it was met with half the people saying, "OK. Let's give them anti aircraft guns and F15's." So, there's no need to go down that road again.
But, you admitted there was a line to be drawn somewhere.
Well, obviously. I don't think anyone is arguing for the police to have landmines and Tomahawk missiles. Although, if they need them, I know a guy who can get them cheap. But I don't think armored vehicles or rifles are crossing the line. I want my police officers to be better equipped than most criminals. I want my police officers to come home each evening.
But, as I've stated before, I think the police departments need to do a better job interacting with the communities they protect. I also think the communities need to keep an open mind to the people who are out there protecting them. Until both sides do a better job and finding common ground, the divide will always be there.