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California Police Chief: ‘A Gun Is Not a Defensive Weapon — That Is a Myth’

Feb. 14, 2013 5:52pm Jason Howerton

Earlier this month, Emeryville, Calif. Police Chief Ken James argued that a gun is not a “defensive weapon” but rather an “offensive weapon used to intimidate and used to show power.”

“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.”

California Police Chief: A Gun Is Not a Defensive Weapon That Is a Myth

(YouTube)

He went on: “If it was a defensive measure, why did we lose 55 officers nationwide last year to gun violence? And unfortunately, in just the two months of this year so far, we have lost two officers to gun violence in the state of California alone…We are asking and have been asking for reasonable regulations, not that are going to impact the legal gun owner.”

Those reasonable regulations include a ban on semi-automatic rifles, high capacity magazines and universal background checks. Lawmakers in California — and now Missouri — have also proposed legislation that includes potential confiscation of semi-automatic rifles.

Do you agree that a gun is not a “defensive” weapon?

(H/T: Washington Examiner)

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Comments (823)

Blu13
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:10pm
As bad as saying if you have a brain, you don’t need to use it.

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- 50211bs
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 8:17pm
  I think he smoked a bit to much stuff from the evidence room so his brain isn’t working anyway.
  
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MetalPatriot
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:09pm
Then, by his own definition, armed police are for the sole purpose of showing power and intimidation. Stupid *****. I can’t understand why anybody would even want to be an officer anymore. Gangs are left alone. Politicians dictate which laws should be enforced. Too many new laws every year. Everybody has video footage…and a lawyer.

This country has become cancer.

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Penn
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:06pm
This guy needs to be committed. Tell our guys at Bastogne that guns are strictly for offense or how about the 1,000,000 plus people per year who protect themselves or others, usually just by presenting their weapon.

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- Phreqguru
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:14pm
  No kidding huh? Heh, California loons…we have millions of them. Better keep this guy out of the evidence room, someone had been sneaking around in there…ya think?
  
  Report this comment
- JacquesChirac
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:28pm
  Tell everybody who ever defended themselves IN THEIR HOMES that a gun is not a defensive weapon.
  
  Wow…what the h*ll is wrong with California??? Congrats to the flower children at Berkeley!! You have finally won the state you always wanted.
  
  Report this comment
- TheMightyZeus
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:36pm
  Last figure I read said that firearms are used in self-defense 1.2 million times a year by Americans. Also, for what it’s worth, in 99.9% of those cases, the criminal is scared away or injured, but not killed. Intimidation and show of power are great for defense as well.
  
  Report this comment
- Dan_o
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 8:08pm
  The disconnect is police are less and less about Protect and Serve and more about politics, unions, self-interest, and playing the cya game (and that last point is not their fault necessarily). If you are not protecting something or someone with your weapon, it is not a defensive tool.
  
  When used as a defensive weapon, its’ effectiveness should not disqualify the nature of its’ use.
  
  Report this comment
- PatriotSunDevil
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 11:43pm
  I cannot believe this moron wears a badge. I have a suggestion where he can put his badge….it is where his brain is.
  
  Report this comment
- Lord_Frostwind
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 5:23am
  Recite the mantra, “The best defense is a good offense.”
  
  I still count it as defense when the other guy is too scared to engage because he fears superior firepower, or when that superior firepower ends a threat. Making the other person dead is far more effective at protecting your person than any body armor.
  
  Report this comment
- ozchambers
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 9:45am
  “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.”
  
  “They carry a gun to……..face any oppositions we may come upon.”, or in other words, use as a defensive weapon. What a dumazz. California deserves cops like this.
  
  Report this comment
rickroland
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:06pm
Someone breaks into your home or attacks you (offensive), you have a gun, you shoot (defensive).

The police chief is not only wrong, he also needs to be fired.

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- guntotinsquaw
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:12pm
  But, if you’re driving down the road tossing papers out the window and the cop draws his gun and shoots you in the back…(offensive)
  
  Report this comment
- DeOppressoLiber
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:30pm
  I think most of you are missing the point.
  
  He believes that his officers carry guns to use them in an offensive posture to intimidate and project power. Also we need to keep bring up the Warren vs D. C. case.
  
  He is totally right about that, and that is why the Founding Fathers gave us law abiding citizens the 2nd Amendment to keep them and the federal government in check.
  
  I am glad this was posted and that they are framing the Big Government argument correctly, it justifies our stance for the 2nd Amendment. It is not for hunting or shooting robbers, they are just added benefits to having a 2nd Amendment.
  
  I posted this yesterday and sent the Blaze this as a tip.
  
  Report this comment
- bonesiii
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:49pm
  It may legitimately, honestly “baffle” him as he put it. And that’s the scariest thing of all to me, given the responsibility his office holds, that there could be people that slow…
  
  Of course more likely he knows very well what it means but he’s seen an opportunity to make a name for himself politically. Just kinda think it’ll more likely backfire lol… Sorry, pun not intended…
  
  Report this comment
- starman70
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 9:08am
  If my home is invaded, I will DEFEND my family’s security with my gun. I pray it will never happen BUT it could. If only the criminals have guns, guess what the outcome would be.
  
  Report this comment
RJJinGadsden
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:06pm
This nation lost 55 law enforcement officers last year because we have a criminal element who will never turn over their weapons or follow the law. California lost the police officers they did recently because of the same reason. I hope that we learn how and where Christopher Dorner was able to put together his armory of weapons considering California’s already draconian laws. And, considering the length of time he was out of law enforcement.
At the same time how often do we read in The Blaze and see elsewhere how criminals have been thwarted by the armed citizenry. The taking of weapons from the law abiding will just make far more potential victims.
And no ENCINOM, they are not toys.

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- Quiata
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 10:04pm
  <>
  
  And that’s EXACTLY why the left-wingers in power want to disarm the populace….
  
  Report this comment
- Quiata
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 10:10pm
  Okay, that’s strange ^. Let me re-paste the quote from the article:
  
  “Earlier this month, Emeryville, Calif. Police Chief Ken James argued that a gun is not a “defensive weapon” but rather an “offensive weapon used to intimidate and used to show power.””
  
  Report this comment
- Daggerandgun777
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 11:33pm
  It is hypocritical for the chief in the article to make that statement seeing as LAPD has been the center to tremendous violence of police on the citizens. Also, I would like to see this foolish chief tell the survivors of the LA Riots that firearms are not defensive, or perhaps a survivor of the holocaust.
  
  Report this comment
RIDEMODELS
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:05pm
The British Police carry guns now……The British police…!!

The AK is a Russian made gun and will always be sold to the highest bidder…!!

And before any jacka$$ votes for HILLARY….Think about this…!!

Obama called the Navy Seals and they killed Bin-Laden, the Navy seals called Obama and they got Denied……Benghazi.!!

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wolverine
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:05pm
Just remember according to the Supreme Court police officers do not have to protect anyone but themselves therefore they are using firearms to protect themselves from civilians

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MAULEMALL
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:05pm
Then all his officers offensive use only guns should be confiscated

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SuperSuineg
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:04pm
a gun is a tool and can be used eather way offensive or defensive …. it is however, NOT for intimidation or to show power.

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- Farmhand82
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:29pm
  They can be. In fact something like 90% of incidents where crime was stopped by an armed civilian don’t involve firing in anger but rather just using intimidation to stop the criminal.
  
  Report this comment
Fubared
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:04pm
Never. Every day he straps on a lie, then continues with the lie.

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Too_Far_Gone
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:04pm
And you are not a police chief an American nor have a brain in your head.

That’s a myth..

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- Zipit
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:17pm
  TFG! The headline reads, “CALIFORNIA Police Chief:”! That descriptive alone explains it all!!!
  
  Report this comment
- ozchambers
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 9:51am
  I guess that mother in the attic crawl space with her children who shot the home invader 5 times was a myth. I guess the woman who was recorded on a 911 call who had barricaded her door and was asking the 911 dispatcher if she could use a handgun to defend herself and her children before shooting the intruder down was a myth also. Everyone in this guy’s jurisdiction should just pack up and move.
  
  Report this comment
COREZONE
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:03pm
Remember that these officers are a part of a Union. They will do what the Union tells them to do and we know who the Union’s are. The police are not our friends. You are guilty until proven innocent and I am sure they can find some law that you have violated. Selective enforcement don’t you know?

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- chicago76
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 10:54pm
  When it comes to unions, you are union or you do not count and therefore have no importance to them except as a means to get more pay.
  
  Report this comment
saigonpaul
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:03pm
what a moron… maybe thats aunt plosssssy’s body guard

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ZAP
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:02pm
This doughnut Connoisseur should stick to what he knows about….

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barber2
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:02pm
I heard that the position of Police Chief is a political appointment. Are we to assume that all Democrat controlled cities will have automatons like this guy promoting the Democrat ” agenda?” Todays Democrats are the scariest bunch of Political Parrots I have ever witnessed in America. They act like one of those brainwashed ” Dear Leader” dudes out of countries like North Korea . Zombies. Parrots. Robots. Cyborgs. Droids. But certainly not like the rugged individuals America has always been noted for ! Have we been invaded by the Walking Democrat Dead ?!

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DougHuffman
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:01pm
Argumentum ad verecundiam is a fallacious logic, either the authority is not a subject-matter expert, or there is no consensus among experts in the subject matter, or both.

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- chips1
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:46pm
  I think Fallacious is a dirty word.
  
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Gonzo
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:01pm
Semantics.

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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:06pm
  Exactly!
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 9:03am
  Lots of the acronyms need to turn in their PDW’s.
  
  Report this comment
- AUsername
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 10:32am
  that guy is probably a pot smoking hippy who had connections to get the job he did. he don’t look like your typical skinhead bar brawler cop.
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 1:18pm
  A User
  He is a politician in a uniform. Even they have standards you could not appreciate. Save it. Smoke more.
  
  Report this comment
LETSBEABOUTIT
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:01pm
A gun is a tool. Whether it is a defensive tool or offensive tool depends entirely on how it is used by the individual. Just like a hammer. This guy had a lobotomy a couple of years ago and then those insanely intelligent folks in CA hired him for police chief. That city must have the lowest crime rate in the state! Right??

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Glock29
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:00pm
All of his police officers carry guns to intimidate civilians! What an idiot! God left parts out of progressive liberals when he made them!

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- WarMunger_Al
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:35pm
  This guy just justifies the Dorner agenda. Proof of the reason the people should all be armed against the intimidation of the police.
  
  Report this comment
- RockyMountainPATRIOT
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 7:02pm
  I’m pretty sure that’s NOT where the Progressive agenda comes from! (GOD)
  
  Report this comment
Trail_Jumper
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 5:59pm
“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.”

What a coincidence, so do I. This chief is a left wing idiot. I’m sure Hitler would have been proud to have him as an officer in his reich. Guns defend more single women, stalking victims, and average citizens than any other weapon out there. The only reason the government wants you disarmed is so they can do whatever they want to you without risk of rebellion. My advice to you all: Do not comply.
TJ

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MeteoricLimbo
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 5:58pm
One would think that an item used to defend ones self would be a defensive weapon. Perhaps common sense is a little lacking??

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- chips1
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:33pm
  If guns were brains, he would be unarmed. If you notice, it is following the Obama doctrine. The dumber they are, the higher the ranking. It’s not just restricted to law enforcement. It’s everywhere and isn’t getting any better.
  
  Report this comment
- 1wolf
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 8:48pm
  He said,
  
  “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 say,
  
  ” I carry a gun to be able to effectively and in a safe manner, face any oppositions we/ my family may come upon.”
  
  “MOLON LABE!!!
  
  Report this comment
ginger100
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 5:58pm
Boot Licker!

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kdshell1
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 5:57pm
How could such an anti-Constitution fool become Chief of Police?

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- barber2
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:04pm
  How long has it been since Civics and Government were taught in our schools ? Can you see why the Lefties who control our Department of Education nixed that from the curriculum ? Ignorance is Democrat election bliss .
  
  Report this comment
Fubared
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 5:56pm
What a lib wanker. CA, you deserve all you are reaping. That is an assault mustache. Ask the dude behind him.

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BannedByHuffpo
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 5:56pm
So the police will no longer carry guns to defend themselves?

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- MeteoricLimbo
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 5:59pm
  Evidently not, that’s a little spooky
  
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- John655
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:01pm
  No they’ll keep carrying guns “to intimidate and show power.”
  
  Report this comment
- HeavyMetalRooster
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:01pm
  So the police carry guns to intimidate? I thought they used those to protect and serve.
  
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- RIDEMODELS
  Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:03pm
  Really….Really…..Then why is it that the Bobbies(police) in Britain carry guns now, because the world has gotten so much worse according to them…….The British police did not carry guns for decades but they certainly do Now…!!
  
  Also before anyone votes for HILLARY….I want this known and stuck in peoples heads..!!!
  
  Obama called the Navy Seals and they killed Bin-Laden, the Navy seals called Obama and they got Denied…….Benghazi.!!….9/11
  
  Report this comment
- AUsername
  Posted on February 15, 2013 at 10:27am
  they need their guns since most of them are punks that can’t really fight and if you move your leg or arm they call for back up.
  
  Report this comment

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