CA police chief: guns are not defensive weapons
LanceCooley sends us a link to bizarre story in The Blaze about Emeryville, Calif. Police Chief Ken James who claims that guns are not defensive weapons, so he wants “reasonable” gun control.
“One issue that always boggles my mind is that the idea that a gun is a defensive weapon,” he said. “That is a myth. A gun is not a defensive weapon.”
He was speaking during a press conference promoting strict gun laws in California. James is also the chairman of the Police Chief Association’s Firearms Committee.
“A gun is an offensive weapon used to intimidate and show power,” James added. “Police officers don’t carry a gun as a defensive weapon to defend themselves or their other officers. They carry a gun to be able to do their job in a safe and effective manner and face any oppositions we may come upon.”
A good example of a failed public school education. So, is he saying that the police are aggressively enforcing the law with their side arms? the police don’t draw their weapons unless they’re threatened, and citizens are required by law to only use their weapons when they’re threatened – so WTF is Chief James talking about? I don’t think he knows either. Clearly he’s trying to pursue a political agenda and justify grabbing citizens’ guns to himself. Because he can’t think the rest of us are paying attention to his ignorant ass.
February 15th, 2013 at 9:15 am
So…if they aren’t defensive why do police have them?
February 15th, 2013 at 9:15 am
So very much wrong with his statement.
February 15th, 2013 at 9:21 am
I literally can’t believe the stupidity of those comments….
February 15th, 2013 at 9:24 am
This clown has more stars than the Milky Way. In the linked article he asks, “If it was a defensive measure, why did we lose 55 officers nationwide last year to gun violence?” Doh. Can he possibly be that stupid? I suggest that he be piss tested ASAP.
February 15th, 2013 at 9:24 am
Another case of the police wanting a compliant subject.
Thanks for giving me another reason reminding me why I left CA. Granted, Emeryville is NoCal/Ghey Bay, but still.
February 15th, 2013 at 9:25 am
nomnom you can almost taste the granola.
February 15th, 2013 at 9:26 am
Someone might want to inform the FBI that their uniform crime report has been wrong the last 40 years.
February 15th, 2013 at 9:32 am
You will pleased to know that the Emeryville, CA police department is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, according to its website.
February 15th, 2013 at 9:33 am
Even if that shit were true…the best defense is a good offense.
February 15th, 2013 at 9:36 am
@7. Well, that stands to reason inasmuch as the info is self reported to the FBI. Thus, when a mayor or police chief is up for re-election or reappointment, the burglary becomes a trespassing and the rape becomes simple assault.
February 15th, 2013 at 9:39 am
“A gun is an offensive weapon used to intimidate and show power,” James added. “Police officers don’t carry a gun as a defensive weapon to defend themselves or their other officers. They carry a gun to be able to do their job in a safe and effective manner and face any oppositions we may come upon.”
I’m gonna be studying that quote for a bit. I’m fascinated that I understand each word, but have no/zero/nil idea WTF he is saying.
February 15th, 2013 at 9:41 am
So much for his law enforcement officer’s oath to uphold and defend the Constitution, including the Second Amendment.
February 15th, 2013 at 9:42 am
So this fool is claiming that his police department is only carrying their guns to “intimidate and show power” to its citizens? That doesn’t sound right….
February 15th, 2013 at 9:48 am
This tool is living proof that it is possible to speak understandably (if idiotically) without possessing a functioning brain.
February 15th, 2013 at 9:49 am
“A gun is an offensive weapon used to intimidate and show power,” James added
Isn’t that statement at the root of the LAPD’s problems with the minority community? That the perception of the LAPD is they intimidate and show power to those in the minority communities instead of providing protection and support?
This gentleman is clearly demonstrating an us vs. them thought process when he actually tells you the reason his department carries weapons are to intimidate and show their power to the general public. The more these people speak, the quicker gun dealers can move product.
February 15th, 2013 at 9:50 am
Dear Chief James,
If your officers don’t need guns to protect themselves then they must be using them in an “offensive” manner to threaten and intimidate your citizens. Please disarm your officers effective immediately. Their vests should be sufficient to protect them and you can see how many of their lives are “saved” by your theory.
February 15th, 2013 at 9:52 am
So, this clown is saying that guns are not defensive weapons, but goes on to explain that the police carry them to defend themselves. Uh-huh.
If the purpose of weaponry and the police are to be intimidating and all that, then wouldn’t it be in their best interest to only hire officers who look like they could take on a Mack truck and win?
February 15th, 2013 at 9:56 am
If that quote were true, police officers would approach every citizen with weapons drawn–oh wait it’s california.
Given the high chance of a police officer with a ‘shoot first’ mentality out there lately, is it self-defense to gun one down before they get the chance to ‘misidentify’ you with their gun, or does that make somebody a ‘bad guy?’
February 15th, 2013 at 10:31 am
It’s a little disconcerning that a cop with that kind of attitude is allowed to carry a firearm at all, but isn’t indicative of the LEO mindset IMO.
February 15th, 2013 at 10:31 am
That explains the popularity of the “I’m not Chris Dorner, please don’t shoot me” t-shirts.
February 15th, 2013 at 10:32 am
I think this is a first where a police chief says his department’s policy is to intimidate the population and that intimidating the citizenry is integral to performing their duties.
Incoming lawsuits.
February 15th, 2013 at 10:38 am
IN A RELATED STORY:
On the heels of the controversial statesments made by Police Chief Ken James of Emeryville, California, he went on to say in a follow up statement, “we do things differently up here in northern California, goats are fair game, second couins are OK – first cousins not so much, automobiles are not a means of transportation they are means to deliver drugs, pit bulls are peolpe too, we see gangs and gangmembers as important pillars of our community, our infrastructure is crumbling around us but that is OK because Obama has pronmised to rebuild everything, we see schools not as institutions of learning but a place were kids can visit on occassion so we can help them with all their problems.” “Hell look at the location of Emeryville, we are sandwiched between Berkley and Oakland, the two most safest, progressive, innovative, and respected cities in our great nation”, he quipped as he ducked into a the mens room to snort a line of crystal meth.
February 15th, 2013 at 10:40 am
“A gun is an offensive weapon used to intimidate and show power,” James added.
Yes, this excuses shooting up a pickup truck with two small women in it, never mind the entire neighborhood. The cops out there are incompetent. But giving them guns is okay because it gives them the right to be incompetent through a display of intimidation and power techniques.
Considering the Chicago connection to the Sinaloa drug cartel, I’m getting to a point that has me thinking that the police should not have guns and only citizens should now be armed. Seriously.
February 15th, 2013 at 10:42 am
You can bet … all the good LEO’s in Emeryville are at a coffee shop (or other suitable location) … staring numb at their coffee cups and asking, “what the hell are we going to do now”?
This Chief needs to go now … he is no good for the business of LE!
February 15th, 2013 at 10:46 am
@22 Master Chief–don’t laugh, but marrying your first cousin in California is LEGAL.
February 15th, 2013 at 10:52 am
Well, Robert Heinlein wrote that a sword was a weapon that was offensive while also being defensive. In his words, a firearm was all offense, no defense.
Well, fine. However, I won’t take a katana or a saber to a firefight. I don’t agree with the concept that Government agents are the only ones in society that are to have a monopoly on deadly force. James Madison would agree with me.
In the end, who watches the Watchers? What agency will provide balance to the potential of an abusive government? Ask the Kulaks of Stalinist Russia or the Social Democrats of the Third Reich. Oh, wait. They can’t answer. They were murdered by their government.
February 15th, 2013 at 11:00 am
@ NH Sparky …
Your honor I have no further witnesses … the prosecution rests it’s case!
February 15th, 2013 at 11:00 am
The gun is not a defensive weapon? So, I am exerting power and threatening a robber in my house when I shoot him in the middle of the night without him seeing me? Wow… This man is weapons grade stupid.
Personally, the firearm is nothing more than a tool. It is no different than a hammer. It can be used by those who know what they are doing in a manner to help others, or can be used by the ignorant to cause damage. Knives are the same way. In the hands of a skilled surgeon, it can save lives.
However, we always have people like this who have some weapon training (or have seen lots of pictures of guns) and believe they know what they are talking about. I spent the first four years of my career in an arms tomb (sorry, I mean room). I have done more maintenance on weapon systems than these guys ever have, I have probably fired more rounds than they have, and I probably have had more training than they have in the use and maintenance of firearms. Yet, they feel that they can tell me what a firearm is and is not…
You know, I love my country. Too bad it supports these morons to spout off everything they are.
February 15th, 2013 at 11:06 am
Riddle: A guy fires a missile at another guy and it strikes the first guy. Which event was offensive and which defensive?
February 15th, 2013 at 11:12 am
We’ve had two police rampages with guns recently: New York City last summer, where several bystanders got hurt; and now LAPD, where several bystanders got hurt and in this case, a neighborhood was shot up.
The cops in NYC and in Chicago didn’t like it when the Guardian Angels volunteers started doing their thing, but everyone else did.
Just saying.
February 15th, 2013 at 11:13 am
I have a healthy respect for Law Enforcement and all that they do, but I have a problem when they speak out on gun control, considering most gun control laws have exceptions for on duty, off duty and even retired law enforcement. I don’t see why a retired or off duty cop should be allowed a hi cap mag. Seems to be a case of some pigs are more equal than others (pun intended).
February 15th, 2013 at 11:22 am
‘”A gun is an offensive weapon used to intimidate and show power.”‘
You betcha. Some schmuck breaks into my house, I intend to do my level best to be offensive and intimidate him and show him some power. ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!
February 15th, 2013 at 11:31 am
Here’s the contact page for that douchebag of a police chief. http://www.ci.emeryville.ca.us/index.aspx?NID=123
February 15th, 2013 at 11:41 am
I think the Chief broke into the evidence room before the Press Conference and smoked something he shouldn’t have….
February 15th, 2013 at 11:42 am
@30 – Make that 3. Last year in Cleveland 13 cops fired 137 rounds into a stationary car that they’d blocked into a parking lot driveway, killing both the driver and passenger. Neither victim was armed. The shooting took 20 seconds, in which time one cop fired 49 rounds.
http://reason.com/blog/2013/02/12/ohio-attorney-general-releases-animation
Watch the animation. It’s an effing Polish firing squad. It’s a miracle none of the morons shot each other.
February 15th, 2013 at 11:46 am
Mom! Nobody wants to play with me! Okay, well here’s the riddle answer anyway.
It’s all about one’s frame of reference. When the missile–a baseball–was fired it was defensive and when it came back at the pitcher after being hit by the batter it was offensive.
February 15th, 2013 at 11:53 am
@ 36 … oh I get it now!
February 15th, 2013 at 11:57 am
its the stupidity and conciet that california law and its athourity figures make me hate the land. I resent the fact i was born their. They are in insult and tratior to the constitution-
California Constsition- article 1 section 4
(4) Nothing in this subdivision supersedes or modifies any
provision of this Constitution, including the guarantees that a
person may not be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due
process of law, or denied equal protection of the laws, as provided
in Section 7
hope they choke on the bill rights and nation’s and state’s constition as they get fired for that treason
February 15th, 2013 at 12:07 pm
That chief is in the minority when it comes to cops and gun control
http://www.facebook.com/TheLEAGC?ref=ts&fref=ts
February 15th, 2013 at 1:10 pm
Just bought another gun to defend myself from tyrant-wanna-bes like Chief Ken James. Thanks for the reminder Douchebag!
February 15th, 2013 at 1:42 pm
I just heard a radio commercial for a hardware store in Stephens City, Virginia, touting their firearms, including AR-15s. I thought I’d pass it on for those of you who can’t get one of those goodies nearby or at a reasonable price. I am not affiliated with the store in any way, shape, or form. I hope this doesn’t violate some ad prohibition at TAH.
http://www.stovesandhardwarewinchester.com/Archery_and_Firearms_Stephens_City_VA.html
February 15th, 2013 at 1:57 pm
What should anyone expect? he’s a libtard from the People’s Republik of Kalifornia on America’s Left Coast!?
February 15th, 2013 at 2:20 pm
I went to the trouble of looking up shooting/target ranges in my state (Illinois). There are many, many of them, whose business is supported by gun owners and bowhunters. There are target ranges where both archery and guns are welcome.
Should things allow me to come summer, I will find the nearest one and patronize it.
February 15th, 2013 at 2:28 pm
Ex-PH2 #43: I’d be interested in how it goes. Haven’t been to a public range for 20+ years. Jonn loves the experience, among others, but the thought stirs my paranoia some.
February 15th, 2013 at 2:38 pm
Zero, I will be asking questions about all the issues gun owners face and how Illinois’ attempts to ban scary-looking black guns will affect their business.
If they’re so scary because they’re black, why not paint them pink? Pink is a calming color. It lowers aggressiveness.
February 15th, 2013 at 2:50 pm
@25, it is still legal in The Peoples Republic of Mass as well…along with 17 other states, and in 6 it is legal under “ceratain circumstances”… so in 25 States 1st cousin marriage is legal.
So you have a better than 50/50 chance of living in a State where it is legal than illegal.
Okay this is making my stomach queesey…
February 15th, 2013 at 5:55 pm
Speaking of stupidity, check out what one of our illustrious Dems said during the gun control debate here in CO:
Rep. Lois Court made crystal clear the Democrats’ view of gun owners.
“I think that paying a fee to prove that you’re not a criminal is a service to yourself,” said Court. “We wouldn’t want you to have a gun, and I’m sure you would like to be proven as not being a criminal when you purchase your gun. So this is a service to you.”
Yeah, I have to pay money to the state to prove to myself I’m not a criminal. How about a fee for the criminally stupid?
February 15th, 2013 at 6:26 pm
If anything ever did collapse in this nation, he will surely be hanged.
I’m tired of this faggotry. If you want to lower gun crime, stiffen sentances where fireamrs are used to the max. No time and a half for good behavior. No plea deals. Life sentances without parole when used/threatened against a human.
February 15th, 2013 at 7:09 pm
A way of looking at this chief’s statement: once the pistol is drawn from its holster, the intent of the officer is to match or overmatch his opponent.
The intent is offensive. The firearm, like a screwdriver, is neutral without human intent of use.
February 15th, 2013 at 7:28 pm
One thing to remember, this here chief of police is entirely out-ranked by the county sheriff. And as I recall the county sheriff can remove chiefs of police from their office if need be. Now, if I was county sheriff there I’d be sitting right in front of him er he’d be sitting in front of me so I could laugh in his face and tell him what a f’ng waste of oxygen he turned out to be.
February 15th, 2013 at 7:28 pm
Good point, DaveO.
February 15th, 2013 at 10:48 pm
In my police career, I worked for many police chiefs. Most of them were clueless about what we did and guns etc. Some were totally good, some were about as retarded as this guy.
I’m glad I’m retired and don’t have to put up with dummies like this guy.
Firearms are used everyday by responsible citizens to defend themselves…because the police are 6 minutes away when you need them in 20 seconds!
February 15th, 2013 at 10:58 pm
@34
smoked something he shouldn’t have….
It’s California… you’re saying he smoked some tobacco?
February 16th, 2013 at 5:53 am
This guy is a turd, a buffoon, a moron and a disgrace to the badge.
REAL cops don’t support him or anything he says.
February 16th, 2013 at 7:50 am
@54, Indeed, I’ve seen shopping mall “Rent=a=Fuzz”es with more brains and common sense than that turkey. I know a fair share of real-life LEO’s, and they’d say he’s full of himself and something else!
February 16th, 2013 at 8:35 am
Another example of a firearm not being used defensively: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20130207_Tacony_deli_owner___We_had_to_defend_ourselves_.html
February 16th, 2013 at 9:17 am
Flagwaver… I believe you just coined a new phrase, “weapons grade stupid” and I’m going to use it often.