Poll of LEO's take on effective gun control

[Sshuker]

http://www.policeone.com/Gun-Legisla...-perspectives/

Follow the link to see the graphs, but if you fear links, here is the text for you:

In March, PoliceOne conducted the most comprehensive survey ever of American law enforcement officers’ opinions on the topic gripping the nation's attention in recent weeks: gun control.

More than 15,000 verified law enforcement professionals took part in the survey, which aimed to bring together the thoughts and opinions of the only professional group devoted to limiting and defeating gun violence as part of their sworn responsibility.
Related Articles:
Are legally-armed citizens the best solution to gun violence?Cops support simple, straightforward solutionsWhy a closed-minded approach won't work
Related Resource:
PoliceOne's 2013 Gun Policy & Law Enforcement Survey Results: Executive Summary

Totaling just shy of 30 questions, the survey allowed officers across the United States to share their perspectives on issues spanning from gun control and gun violence to gun rights.

Top Line Takeaways
Breaking down the results, it's important to note that 70 percent of respondents are field-level law enforcers — those who are face-to-face in the fight against violent crime on a daily basis — not office-bound, non-sworn administrators or perpetually-campaigning elected officials.

1.) Virtually all respondents (95 percent) say that a federal ban on manufacture and sale of ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds would not reduce violent crime.

2.) The majority of respondents — 71 percent — say a federal ban on the manufacture and sale of some semi-automatics would have no effect on reducing violent crime. However, more than 20 percent say any ban would actually have a negative effect on reducing violent crime. Just over 7 percent took the opposite stance, saying they believe a ban would have a moderate to significant effect.

3.) About 85 percent of officers say the passage of the White House’s currently proposed legislation would have a zero or negative effect on their safety, with just over 10 percent saying it would have a moderate or significantly positive effect.

4.) Seventy percent of respondents say they have a favorable or very favorable opinion of some law enforcement leaders’ public statements that they would not enforce more restrictive gun laws in their jurisdictions. Similarly, more than 61 percent said they would refuse to enforce such laws if they themselves were Chief or Sheriff.

5.) More than 28 percent of officers say having more permissive concealed carry policies for civilians would help most in preventing large scale shootings in public, followed by more aggressive institutionalization for mentally ill persons (about 19 percent) and more armed guards/paid security personnel (about 15 percent). See enlarged image

6.) The overwhelming majority (almost 90 percent) of officers believe that casualties would be decreased if armed citizens were present at the onset of an active-shooter incident.

7.) More than 80 percent of respondents support arming school teachers and administrators who willingly volunteer to train with firearms and carry one in the course of the job.

8.) More than four in five respondents (81 percent) say that gun-buyback programs are ineffective in reducing gun violence.

9.) More than half of respondents feel that increased punishment for obviously illegal gun sales could have a positive impact on reducing gun violence.

10.) When asked whether citizens should be required to complete a safety training class before being allowed to buy a gun, about 43 percent of officers say it should not be required. About 42 percent say it should be required for all weapons, with the remainder favoring training classes for certain weapons.

11.) While some officers say gun violence in the United States stems from violent movies and video games (14 percent), early release and short sentencing for violent offenders (14 percent) and poor identification/treatments of mentally-ill individuals (10 percent), the majority (38 percent) blame a decline in parenting and family values.

Bottom Line Conclusions
Quite clearly, the majority of officers polled oppose the theories brought forth by gun-control advocates who claim that proposed restrictions on weapon capabilities and production would reduce crime.

In fact, many officers responding to this survey seem to feel that those controls will negatively affect their ability to fight violent criminals.

Contrary to what the mainstream media and certain politicians would have us believe, police overwhelmingly favor an armed citizenry, would like to see more guns in the hands of responsible people, and are skeptical of any greater restrictions placed on gun purchase, ownership, or accessibility.

The officers patrolling America’s streets have a deeply-vested interest — and perhaps the most relevant interest — in making sure that decisions related to controlling, monitoring, restricting, as well as supporting and/or prohibiting an armed populace are wise and effective. With this survey, their voice has been heard.

[S&WOwner]

Interesting - let me run over to the Liberal Media and see what they reported - dang - couldn't find anything. I guess the Liberal Media wouldn't consider posting anything pro 2A since it would fly in the face of the Democratic platform.

[hog45]

This poll is certainly encouraging, but to me the police are always going to be LAW ENFORCEMENT officers first, not constitutional rights enforcement officers.

They have a job to do, to enforce the law. Some of them probably disagree with some of the laws on the books, but they still have to enforce the laws as they are written. They have a degree of judgement, and can "look the other way" within certain contexts, but ultimately they will enforce the law, and if one officer is not willing to enforce a given law, there will be plenty of others who are.

Sooner or later the "good cops" will retire, change careers, move to desk duty, or get fired. They will be replaced with new ones who grew up under the new laws, and they will enforce the laws as written.

The police are not a static, monolithic entity. They have turnover, they have retraining, continuing education, and changing personal priorities just like everyone else. I am glad they are mostly on our side of the firearms debate right now, but when push comes to shove they will enforce the law. The ones who refuse to enforce the law will not last long.

Our best bet is to make sure the laws are good and the bad ones are removed. Counting on law enforcement to NOT enforce the law is a recipe for corruption, and is backwards. Lets make sure the laws are good ones by making sure the law makers are good ones.

[ray h]

4.) Seventy percent of respondents say they have a favorable or very favorable opinion of some law enforcement leaders’ public statements that they would not enforce more restrictive gun laws in their jurisdictions. Similarly, more than 61 percent said they would refuse to enforce such laws if they themselves were Chief or Sheriff.

Yeah.
What they say and what they do, just doesn't match.
Just ask people who have been jailed and fined for not having the proper papers or carrying the wrong firearm or being OC.

[ALS]

Most Chiefs got their job due to being grade A butt kissers of the politicians they work for. Most street officers live in the real world and understand the less guns in law abiding civilian hands the more dangerous their job becomes. One of my employees sons is on the local CIRT and he is 100% behind civilian gun ownership and concealed carry. More guns less crime is his philosophy.

[S&WOwner]

Most Chiefs got their job due to being grade A butt kissers of the politicians they work for...

I came from states that the Chief was "elected" as opposed to being appointed. Being new to PA - are you saying that all Chief's are appointed in PA?

[ALS]

Sheriffs yes Police Chiefs no.

[Grey Bearded One]

I came from states that the Chief was "elected" as opposed to being appointed. Being new to PA - are you saying that all Chief's are appointed in PA?

Where are police chiefs elected?

[S&WOwner]

Thanks ALS - learn something every day. Dang - I just got the hang of Townships vs Boroughs vs Counties - PA is in a world of its own!

[S&WOwner]

Where are police chiefs elected?

I came from an area that our County Sheriff's were elected. The only other law enforcement was the State Police.