When the phrase "guns on the streets" is used, are police firearms also included in that phrase?

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

Literally, when one talks about all of the (or the problem of) "guns on the street" they are referring to the commonplaceness of firearms being carried out on public. I mean, if we step back and look at the situation objectively... there's no question that the streets of America are filled with many people carrying guns.

But what I wonder is that when people talk about "guns on the street", are they also referring to Police officers and other Government/State officials?
They are in fact carrying guns and out in public, so I would think they fit the qualification/generalization/meme... whatever you want to call that phrase.

If you feel they are included in that generalization, why?
If you feel that the generalization does not include them, why not?

[Abin Sur]

1. No, they're not...at least by those who use that phrase.

Those who use that term invariably want to restrict the lawful carry of firearms in public to those employed by the State to keep public order.

[rrneck]

2. You don't undetstand.

Police and wotnot are AUTHORITY figures. They have the AUTHORITY to carry killing machines strapped to their bodies. When you have AUTHORITY it's impossible to be a rude toter. Only the AUTHORITIES have the right to determine proper public conduct.

Their toadys get a say too.

[safeinOhio]

3. I always thought that when it said

"too many guns on the streets" it meant illegal guns carried by criminals. If that is what is meant, I agree.

[YllwFvr]

4. i think this is what is meant too

Guns on the streets = guns in the wrong hands.

[safeinOhio]

6. A google of "too many guns on the streets"

turns up, mostly big city mayors talking about a certain number of shootings in their city and then after the quote make it clear they are talking about children walking around with guns. Not legal guns.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

9. So your response to the OP would be summarized as, "No, cops and legal carriers are not included"...

As you exlained, the people who commonly use the phrase (urban public figureheads) are clearly referring to the urban youth having guns in public.

Thanks for clearing that up.

Now the only thing that might confuse me is when people opposed to legal possesion of guns in public by adults cite the "guns on the streets" generalizatoin.

[safeinOhio]

11. Could you give us link to an example

so I can better understand your point?

[oneshooter]

5. "it meant guns carried by criminals illegally" There fixed it for ya. n/t

[safeinOhio]

7. unrec for twisting a phrase

and then spinning it to fit an ideology, much like glen beck's chalk board.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

12. How have I twisted a phrase? I'm simply asking what is it's proper context?

I've heard the phrase "guns on the streets" used a few times in the media and on message boards.
Cops themselves carry guns (sometimes more than one) and are certainly out in public doing so.
I'm simply asking if cops (or other govn't officials) fall under the umbrella of "guns on the streets". (?)

How have I twisted anything? :shrug:

Don't get all butthurt if the implications of answering straightforward questions upsets anti-gun tenents.

[safeinOhio]

15. I was straightforward in my reply.

I googled the term and found it used by people that were not referring to cops or goven't officials. They were referring to criminals in possession of illegal firearms. My butt does not hurt and once again you tend to revert to personal attacks rather than sticking to the very issue you brought up. I have no regards to upsets of "anti-gun tenents" or NRA spokespeople. I made statements to the facts. If you are implying that I am an anti-gunner, then you have twisted the facts. I am pro legal possession of firearms by those that can pass a background check and have proper training.

[oneshooter]

25. What are " illegal firearms", and why do criminals have possession of them? n/t

"They were referring to criminals in possession of illegal firearms."

[Tejas]

8. They can get them snatched away as easily as

any other citizen that open carries.

[Hoyt]

10. Gunners need to quit viewing themselves as law enforcement (like auxiliary or some other such BS).

I'm not even sure why this question was asked.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

13. The OP question mentions absolutely nothing about "gunners". It asks about "law enforment" only.

I'm not sure what question you attemted to answer, but perhaps the fact you responded totally off topic is related to your not being sure why (whatever question you attempted answer) was asked.

Perhaps you can fill us in on the question that you commented on?

[Hoyt]

19. Woops. My mistake. Thought I was replying to another thread. Please accept apologies.

This is thread I thought I was responding to: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=118x473909

[PavePusher]

18. Cite where they have claimed to be such.

I won't hold my breath...

[RSillsbee]

21. For once I must admit Hoyt is right NT

[rl6214]

23. Please show us where some "gunner" whatever the fuck that means

has or is viewing themselves as law enforcement

Betcha can't.

[safeinOhio]

26. I'll take some of that bet.

http://www.lenconnect.com/news/courts/x149331895/Capturing-teen-TP-party-brings-vigilante-prosecution-for-trio

now facing 15 years for holding a couple of teenage girls at gun point for thinking about TPing a friends house.

[safeinOhio]

27. Here is the best one

The prosecution alleges that the child and her father Raul Flores Jr were murdered in May 30, 2009 by a group of vigilantes set up to tackle Mexican immigrants.

Shawna Forde, the head of the Minutemen American Defence group, is on trial accused of two charges of first degree murder.

Members claim that it is their civil duty to protect the Mexican border with weapons as the authorities are unable to do so. 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1350721/Girl-9-father-shot-dead-anti-immigrant-vigilantes-begged-life.html#ixzz1cKlCGotn

[ProgressiveProfessor]

24. Most of the toters in SoCal are LEOs of some sort

[gejohnston]

28. I was not aware that

more than a very few did. The ones that do, cross the line to vigilantism.

[Hoopla Phil]

14. I'd imagine it is very similar to when the Brady Bunch refers to guns killing "children".

So short answer, yes.

[safeinOhio]

17. I googled "brady campaign "guns killing children"

and could not find one quote by any person of that org. making any quote like that. Can you post a link to an example of and exact quote?

[Hoopla Phil]

22. Are you really sure you did that??? It really is not difficult. . .

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=guns+killing+children&ei=UTF-8&fr=moz2

It's on there, can you, will you bother, to find it???

[safeinOhio]

29. read some of them and

couldn't find the Brady quote. Because you have already found it, point it out and I'll agree with you.

[Hoopla Phil]

30. You read "some" of them??? Really? It's in there. IF you had read

them you would have found it. "point it out and I'll agree with you." Yeah sure. I really believe you on that. It IS there, but you already refuse to read it as you admit you only read "some".

So you see it there but refuse to read it, I wonder why. . . NOT.
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[ileus]

16. Guns on the street applies only to illegal carry...not LEO or civilians legally carrying.

[Kennah]

20. For cops, "guns on the roof of cruisers" seems better, but they could fall to the street.