Atlanta Woman Uses Stun Gun To Help Officer In Distress [More]Read the whole story. Once you have, I have a question.
Would you have done this? Why or why not?
[Via Tony G]
Monday, January 26, 2009
Answer a Question for Me
Would you have done this? Why or why not?
[Via Tony G]
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22 comments:
That's a tough call, David. Normally, I'd want to help, but with so many "Only One" stories, I'd be tempted to let the tables be turned on the cop.
I would be very hesitant to intervene given today's insane legal environment. On top of that, what happens if you're helping when backup arrives?
Another interesting question is, what if it wasn't a cop that needed the help?
A comment left at the article:
" Dave commented 1 hour 29 minutes ago
Stun gun okay, but shooting someone is a little over the top. When you come across a situation of somebody fightng with a cop, how would you know if that person is really a criminal? It could have been a personal situation between the two of them, or a bad cop targeting an innocent person. You just don't know.
I would have to agree with this comment; I'm also am inclined the same way as Crotalus. Most importantly, the woman was foolish to move in close to the guy such that she _could_ use a stun "gun".
Bottom line: I would _not_ have done what she did. Way too much risk of personal injury and as described it is just not possible to know who initiated the aggression. And, as Alan notes, the "legal" risks of inserting yourself into the fight are much too high to justify saving either of them from a beating.
I also don't carry a stun "gun" -- I carry an actual gun. I would have observed the fight and been prepared to use that gun to defend the cop's life if the "bad" guy disarmed him; if the guy just took off then I would have removed myself from the scene.
Bob r, that's probably the best way to handle it.
bob r, has it pretty good. I would defend the cops life if it came to that but I would not get involved in the arrest. For a number of reasons with the first being if I was to get hurt and was unable to work my family would suffer. If the cop gets hurt he's covered. If I did help the cop and was hurt and between me and the cop got the person in question under control. And say I had suffered an injury in the process. Do you think the government would offer two cents to pay for my out of pocket expenses that my insurance didn't cover. No way they would say I made the choice to jump in and help the officer.
Now lets get to heart of this: People that are harassed by cops for "open carrying" in legal situations. The cops tell them don't carry (which they have a legal right to) but to just be good witnesses. Playing the game by their rules be a good witness.
As bob r said, if the guy got the cops gun then all bets are off being I will not sit back and allow a criminal to murder anyone. Cop or otherwise if I have the ability to stop it.
Personal note: I was the witness to what was a civil action against the city I lived in. The civil action was a shake down against the taxpayers by a very shady lawyer and his client. Being I saw it all I was able to tie all the witnesses stories together so they made sense. Where the lawyer for the civil suit was able to twist things to scam money. This saved the city millions, yes millions. Long story short. I had a parking ticket for not turning my wheels to the curb on a down hill. I did in fact turn my wheels to the curb and took a photo of it. I fought the ticket and the deck was stacked against me. I asked for some help from the city attorney that I helped out. He acted like I was some dog shit on this shoe he was having a problem whipping off.
Bottom line: I know better now, these people hate us.
Not a chance. Cops chose to declare war on the rest of us, and I'm perfectly willing to let them live (or die) with the consequences of their decision.
That woman gave up the most important advantage a citizen generally has. Knowing what the story is from beginning up to that time that they take action. The main reason that cops have worse shoot records is that they have to figure out what is going on in the middle, without having seen how it started.
If I am sizing up a situation from inside a moving car. Stopping and calling 911 is probably the wise choice.
if there's guns, whoever drew their gun first is going to get shot.
failing that, i'd arrest both.
There was a time when I would have backed up the officer without hesitation. Now, the very next article link answers for me. I'd have to ask all those people first, especially Atlanta resident Kathryn Johnston, deceased.
Not a chance, no matter what I was armed with. I'd follow orders and just call 9-1-1. I might stick around to be a good witness. Then again, maybe not.
And how did the fool cop get himself in that jam to start with? Used to be cops patrolled in pairs. There is a reason for that.
Assist an identifiable officer in any fight YES. Stun gun not so much. No matter what imho the place to fight " an only one " is in the courts . If you feel you cant trust the courts you just as well shoot them and go on your merry way . Physical scuffles are fools plays when it comes to officers .
Not just "no", but "#@%& NO!"
Why help the occupying force subdue America?
I was a little torn about it, too. At first. Then I decided that no, I wouldn't.
Not for the conventional reason, that I hate and fear cops and don't mind one getting hurt. I don't know what the story is, I honestly don't know who the good guy is, but I do know that when this cop's back-up shows up bad things are more likely to happen to me than not if I get involved. Whereas if I don't get involved, there's no problem. I didn't create that situation, and I'm damned if I'll step in and risk it.
Also, I hate and fear cops, and don't mind one getting hurt. If they want that to change, only they can do it.
I don't think there is a chance in Hell I would assume the cop was the righteous combatant and therefore entitled to help from me.
I might slip off to buy some chalk and little notebook so I could trace the body and write a report. Or not.
Remember the cops are the people who will arrest, harrass, and even kill people who are legally armed, because they don't want them to be. In fact, they often kill the unarmed, too. So, I think my attitude would be that the cop had enough advantage in hardware and help and immunity. I would be a good witness, unless I was busy confiscating cell phones and cameras.
I realize that this particular cop may not be a total jerk or elitist bully, but he belongs to that gang and he will defend his 'colors'. As a gang member he cannot be trusted to honor his oath, therefore I can't be counted upon to be concerned about his fate.
NO!
as these asshats explain, they're against folks with guns, they have no responsibility to protect any one person according to the courts, and with the "only ones" crap I'd like to revise my answer to HELL NO!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH6_LMpIlMU
I'd love to say I would do something, maybe call 911 and explain why I am doing nothing but video taping it as an example of why folks should carry guns, but that'd probably be about it.
They're the ones pushing an "us vs them" and they can have fun with their unintended consequences. If they were to use it as a reason to push further bans I would go and testify against whatever further erosion of rights.
You guys sounds like cop-bashing hippies. Not that I am in total disagreement, but just saying. I feel here in the NW I would help. But a few of you brought up very good points about the liability your actions could have on that of you and your family. Say you did get hurt, say the guy pulled a knife, say the officer wanted to arrest you for drawing down. Say they wanted to supenea you for court for weeks or something. What would you do if you couldn't provide for your family. This fucking country is becoming the biggest snitch-fest seen since Gestapo days of Germany. Sure, call 911.
I tend to agree with Kent. I'd want to help, I just wouldn't be able to given the characteristics of today's "only ones" and the legal environment.
HC,
I'm a cop-basher. I think they're scum like any other criminal gang member.
That being said, I've known plenty of otherwise good men who are cops. Cops sometimes do good things. But just like the nice fellow who rapes kids doesn't get a pass, neither does the friendly uncle who harasses people because he wears a tin star.
But don't call me a hippy.
I wouldn't help. I would watch. If it became obvious to me that a genuine bad guy was about to kill the cop, perhaps I might intervene.
It sickens me to hear "Only Ones" refer to me as a "civilian". It sickens me to hear cops tell me they don't think I should be trusted by them, to bear my own arms, when, at the same time, they demand blind trust in their every overt action and subtle nuance.
I know, as sure as I type this, that I am just as likely to be arrested and charged with some offense, for helping, as I would be to get a handshake and a Thank You.
Here's the deal, Boys-in-blue:
You want respect? It is a two way street.
Simple, huh?
Longbow
I have offered to help an officer, where the reply was "I have it under control" between gritted teeth. Wishful thinking on his part. It took a few minutes for the backup to arrive and help subdue the "other one". The cop took a beating in the meantime, but no one died.
For those who responded that they would assist if the "other one" in the struggle had taken control of the officer's weapon, consider this. Once the gun is drawn from the officer's holster, the trigger is pulled immediately and the officer probably dies. No Hollywood monologues. Bystanders to the murder and potential witnesses are next. You do not have the luxury of time to decide what to do next - you die, too. Reconsider, and choose wisely if you are confronted with this situation.
No, I wouldn't help or call 911.
I'd Call 911 and leave; after all, I'm supposed to rely on the police for my safety, why not rely on the police for their own safety?
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