Civilians vs. Police in Shooting Situations

[one...two...tree 2,762]

My brother sent me this. He's a retired law enforcement officer, a Libertarian, and gun advocate.

.........

A very interesting read.

I. New study: When civilians would shoot...and when they think you should

Fascinating experiments by 2 California researchers show that young civilians who might someday be on an OIS jury overwhelmingly disagree with veteran officers about when police are justified in shooting armed, threatening perpetrators.

Interestingly, tests also reveal that when facing shoot/don't shoot decisions of their own, civilians tend to be quick on the trigger--and often wrong in their perceptions. Even in ideal lighting conditions, civilian test subjects show "a very low capacity for distinguishing" a handgun from an innocuous object, such as a power tool. Forced to make a time-pressured decision, the vast majority would shoot a "suspect" who is, in fact, unarmed.

"On one hand," says Dr. Bill Lewinski, executive director of the Force Science Research Center at Minnesota State University-Mankato, "this research should make civilians more sympathetic to officers who mistakenly shoot unarmed subjects under high-stress, real-world conditions.

"But on the other hand, the study shows the woeful lack of understanding most non-cops have about the larger legality and appropriateness of using deadly force. And this can result in serious ramifications in the courtroom."

The findings, by Dr. Matthew Sharps, an expert on eye-witness identification and a psychology professor at California State University-Fresno, and Adam Hess, a lecturer in criminology at the school, are reported in The Forensic Examiner [12/22/08], published by the American College of Forensic Examiners. Their paper, "To shoot or not to shoot: Response and interpretation of response to armed assailants," can be read in full by clicking here.

Edited March 3, 2009 by Mister Fancypants

[Jasman0717 9]

I think we should leave the second amendment alone but maybe gun owners should be more aware of the laws concerning this sort of thing

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Great. Next time I'm outside using my cordless drill, I'll have to worry about someone taking a shot at me.

[Ban Hammer 13,355]

Great. Next time I'm outside using my cordless drill, I'll have to worry about someone taking a shot at me.

maybe you shouldn't be using it naked anyways.

[natty bumppo 297]

cops know how to shoot ? must be my imagination that cops worry about qualifying.