LEOs On Citizen Carry, What Do They Really Think?

[antietam]

USA Carry supports LEOs and memberships many LEOs. But how do most LEOs feel about the regular guy carrying? First, let me fairly explain that I worked M-F and "on-call" for a third of my 35 year telecommunications career with LEOs, including the FBI, US Marshals Service, and the US Secret Service in the Midwest. I got to know a vast variety of federal, state and local LEOs over many years. I will keep my personal experiences quiet at this time but pose the following opinion regarding concealed carry with respect to LEOs.

Few LEOs feel that the ordinary guy should carry - the concept threatens their livelihoods and egos. They've been indoctrinated to the modern, "professionals only" idea that citizens are dumb, inept and government-owned, "to be protected" - the same general mindset that fuels modern politicians.

History should be elevated in our educational system because that emphasis would reveal how adept men and women are when responsibility confronts them in natural, non-government-regulated environments. Natural leadership kicks in - natural sacrifice and bravery kicks in. These natural, non-regulated (and tax-free) skills are more effective, fair, discerning and swift than any government-sponsored police policy.

Government-sponsored law enforcement is socialist-friendly, the exact direction we're being led in 2010. Most prolific conservative and libertarian speakers still parse words, stopping short of the painful but healing truth; we're not close to becoming socialistic - we ARE socialists as defined by Karl Marx history. Our House, Senate and President swiftly markets the voting public to accept their heart-felt radical ideology as "American and part of her dream!" Folks, Obama's presidential lead is nefariously smart but a philosophically and moral crippling disease which doesn't shock its egotstical constituentcy.

Governments are sloths. They respond after the fact on the most important atrocities (murder, rape, theft) and over the fact attempting to squelch lesser laws broken, traffic being one of the most money-making over-reactions in law enforcement.

The People are swift as cheetahs if not oppressed by "professional" law enforcement and the guise of professionalism in general. But, we are oppressed and regulated. I speak in a general sense, realizing that we're far off course of the natural way things should be. We've accepted a poor paradigm to say that we're free. "Everything is relevant" really comes into play in this generation regarding freedom because it is a history-hostile generation.

Ultimately, professional government-paid law enforcement should devolve and natural citizen-based law enforcement should evolve. Then, crime will subside. Then, our children will be demonstrably safer. Then, the criminal-at-heart would be absolutely deterred from committing the crime at all with the knowledge that the bulk of ordinary citizens was armed and legally willing to protect itself BEFORE the murder or rape or theft occurred.

In summary, the more government dies the more the People lives, if not oppressed by rogue law, which we have in ample supply in the USA. The People simply got too busy working to pay taxes and meet State regulations first; then support their families, forgetting the dangers of subcontracting their children, lives and property to the trust of Government.

Let government go to the closet - let the People take the podium.

[BulletTrainingLtd]

I always enjoy a non-LEO telling everyone what a LEO likes/dislikes. does/does not do etc...
I had to go back to the top of the page and see that we are in a political forum so here goes.

Everyone has a right to their own opinion. Mine is, let me answer for myself. Twenty-seven years of "protecting and serving" taught me that everyone is different and everyone certainly does not think or believe the same things. There are republicans and democrats, liberals and conservatives (need I go on?) in every walk of life including Law Enforcement. I never had a partner who shared my every view. If that were the case, twelve hours in a patrol car would have been unbearably quiet!
So, to the posed question. I have no problem with a trained, responsible American Citizen being armed. It does not threaten my ego and it certainly does not threaten my job. I would simply prefer that if you choose to carry a firearm, you get the best available training and maintain that training.
A retired LEO is required to "qualify" with his/her handgun once annually. A person permitted to carry concealed in this state only has to "prove competence" every five years. Yes, a LEO should be held to a higher standard but should there be so much difference?

OK, let the LEO bashing begin.

[CathyInBlue]

How about a legitimate survey of only LEOs? I'd read that.

[mappow]

Totally agree with all of you. I have multiple family members in past or present LEO's positions with Cty, City or Feds. Also I did LEO work while on Active Duty. The attitude was of superiority of most they served. Also a pervasive condescending attitude when questioned on the way they tend to handle themselves. BUT I also would add that have to deal with the people they deal with daily and those people for the most part are not the high end of society. OK maybe HIGH but not a up standing citizen. It's a difficult job for anybody sworn to Protect & Serve. Thank you ALL for contributing and keeping us safe.

"Let government go to the closet - let the People take the podium" LETS MAKE IT WORK!

[antietam]

I articulated everything to avoid LEO bashing, not my intent. I also said "most" LEOs - my opinion. Your personal experience is valuable but so is mine. I spoke it like I experienced it. If you must exaggerate, try and hide it a bit. This forum is overwhelmingly pro-LEO so I intrepret your feedback as overly sensitive to straight talk. Have a good day.

[antietam]

Thanks MAPPOW for tweeking this subject with needed perspective. Have a good day.

[Kasper]

I always enjoy a non-LEO telling everyone what a LEO likes/dislikes. does/does not do etc...
I had to go back to the top of the page and see that we are in a political forum so here goes.

Everyone has a right to their own opinion. Mine is, let me answer for myself. Twenty-seven years of "protecting and serving" taught me that everyone is different and everyone certainly does not think or believe the same things. There are republicans and democrats, liberals and conservatives (need I go on?) in every walk of life including Law Enforcement. I never had a partner who shared my every view. If that were the case, twelve hours in a patrol car would have been unbearably quiet!
So, to the posed question. I have no problem with a trained, responsible American Citizen being armed. It does not threaten my ego and it certainly does not threaten my job. I would simply prefer that if you choose to carry a firearm, you get the best available training and maintain that training.
A retired LEO is required to "qualify" with his/her handgun once annually. A person permitted to carry concealed in this state only has to "prove competence" every five years. Yes, a LEO should be held to a higher standard but should there be so much difference?

OK, let the LEO bashing begin.

I agree with you on this but I as a legal citizen want to have the same access to guns as the police have if I am going to be held to the same qualifications as they are. MP5, Glock 18 and Glock 28 are just some of the guns I would like to be able own.

[BulletTrainingLtd]

I articulated everything to avoid LEO bashing, not my intent. I also said "most" LEOs - my opinion. Your personal experience is valuable but so is mine. I spoke it like I experienced it. If you must exaggerate, try and hide it a bit. This forum is overwhelmingly pro-LEO so I intrepret your feedback as overly sensitive to straight talk. Have a good day.

Exaggerate? To what do you refer?

[Cocked _and_Locked]

LEOs On Citizen Carry, What Do They Really Think?

Looks like a hidden agenda (anti-government rant) based on a false premise (LEO stereotype).

To me, anyway.

[antietam]

So are you pro-government? So were the Soviet Union citizens (and current Russian citizens to different extent) because they were always scared - turning on family and friends to gain an inch in society, i.e., criticizing the anti-gov folks and axx-kissing the gov when conversation and opportunity permitted. Yep! I'm proud to be anti-gov! You'd better run along now and make that phone call - lol - Have a good day.