(17h) Police guns can kill people without weapons
I have written before about gun violence in the USA (see series 17) although my last article about gun violence is now nearly two years ago as I can't change anything except explain why massive gun ownership does not create a safe society but instead results in more shootings and eventually more deaths. Action and reaction: more citizens have guns they may use against each other but also against police officers and thus police officers use guns faster against citizens to prevent citizens may shoot first. Still, certain people continue to claim that more weapons are the way forward to protect people from mad people with gun; however, many gun lovers become very angry and aggressive when other people suggest fewer guns is the way to create a safer society.
The third week of April 2021 was again quite bad that included a shooting at a school during which one student died. As the article mentions, more violence may be expected as many more weapons were sold in 2020 than in other years, partly because of the pandemic but also because people feel the atmosphere is bad after the killing of George Floyd by a police officer who knelt for more than 9 min on the neck of Mr Floyd while he was laying on his stomach with his arms handcuffed on his back so he wouldn't be able to stand and this for a possible counterfeit $20 note; as the trial of the officer was coming to its end tensions increased and now a guilty verdict has been reached. Still, what to expect from the supporters of Mr Chauvin? Sometimes it is as if someone has a mark on his head that reads as "don't kill or many may follow" if injustice is not punished and other similar cases happen or a group doesn't accept justice has been done. But, I also understand police officers who are fed-up by being challenged by certain provocateurs.
On April 11, 2021, 20 year old black man Daunte Wright was killed when a policewoman took by accident her gun instead of her taser and shot. I am no specialist in tasers and guns so I cannot comment what may happen in the heat of actions. But, whenever police comes it seems they have to pull something out as if they really fear the citizens, or at least the non-white people.
Below some of my (edited) comments on Facebook; people don't need to agree. Indeed, while I reason that stricter gun laws are needed in order to bring down the numbers of guns, and certainly the semi-automatic ones, others may argue more guns are needed for their safety. An example is Chris Cheng's argument on the NRA's Twitter account that Asians in the USA should buy weapons to defend themselves from increasing aggression against Asians that is the results of President Trump's non-stop referring to the Chinese virus that resulted in the current pandemic, without Mr Cheng thinking about the consequences: people may buy and use weapons to defend themselves against Asian aggression, the circle. And yes, as the USA was at war against Japan during WWII after Japan attacked its fleet in Pearl Harbor, Japanese in the USA were seen as the enemy within.
13/04/2021
Again troubles in the USA after a white police officer killed a young black man. Some people will say he shouldn't have resisted arrest. Others will say the police officer made a mistake as she took her gun instead of the taser; still, after another killing of a black person, people no longer accept such mistakes as excuse.
However, even black people who serve in the army and thus are prepared to sacrifice their own life to protect their country are not immune against police who can't stop pulling their weapon. But, this police officer lost his job because it is considered unacceptable to pepper spray a US army officer.
But, we also need to look to the wider picture, ie worldwide. When white people continue to minimise these events, in black countries many black people are angry that white people still have privileges above black people. Also white tourists are happy to be served by black people. May we one day see black officers shooting white people and claim the white persons shouldn't have resisted arrest?
Water boils at 100°C while this boiling point can be delayed in a steam cooker until pressure builds up and the cooker explodes. Will we still be able to visit Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean, and other countries in the near future?
16/04/2021
The USA, another shooting during which at least 8 people died.
Indeed, the responsibility of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and politicians who continue to take their money before elections is enormous as they continue to advertise against stricter gun laws and continue to sell weapons as they say people should be able to defend themselves from mad people with weapons (that the NRA sold to them).
As a result, police is scared when they (want to) stop people and often use the tactics "shoot before ask". Thus, another young man of 13 years (who may have carried a weapon) killed by police. Very likely not the last shootings.
17/04/2021
White right-wing media and politicians are defending the shooting and death of 13 year old Adam Toledo, even calling him a "man" so he had full responsibility over his actions. Yes, I don't know his background but if he was part of a gang at his age than society failed.
Compare last year when a white boy travelled across states with a loaded non authorised weapon (he was underaged) to kill two demonstrators against racism and was considered defender of his country so US police and public officials donated to him to pay for his trial.
A long as this continues and too few white people show disagreement with the right-wing press but instead even seem to defend it when they speak against the anger that sometimes result in destruction, then anger towards every white person will continue to grow. And thus more people may oppose more respect for black people as white right-wingers want because, who can defend destruction of property and anger towards police who are here to protect us.
17/04/2021
The police officer who killed the 13 year old Toledo is distressed that he killed a boy. I can understand he is as most people who become police officer do so not to kill but instead to protect society.
In a video we can see that Mr Toledo seemed to throw away a gun although it is not clear. And thus it may indeed be difficult for the police officer to know from the distance where he was standing and within a very short time whether he would be safe.
But, police has a responsibility to demand a gun-free society and demand that politicians stand against the powerful NRA to introduce stricter gun laws. Otherwise they help to create a society in which people fear opponents have guns. And thus, one where people, including police officers, shoot before they ask questions.
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