The British Perspective on Guns / and Why

I have a good friend, a British chap (formerly British), who, interestingly, was in law enforcement in the United Kingdom.  He has recently become a US citizen; and we’re lucky to have him – a very nice guy.  His name is John; and we’ve had many discussions over the years about law enforcement, crime and the psychology of perpetrators.

John and I have a mutual interest in guns; their functionality as well as their craftsmanship.  John has quite a few opinions on that subject.  And, as a result, he and I have occasionally discussed gun history and gun philosophy as it pertains to the British.  The following is what I recently received from him.  I’m going to relate his comments in two or three posts, because they are rather lengthy.  I hope you will find the comments as interesting as I did.

John:         “To viewers who watch British Police shows on PBS, such as New Tricks, Midsomer Murders, DCI Banks, the most noticeable difference between the UK officers and their US counterparts is the absence of firearms.  It was not always so.

In the Sherlock Holmes movies and TV series, the great detective, essentially a de facto officer who solved cases where Scotland Yard had blundered, would instruct his sidekick, Dr. Watson, to bring along his trusty Webley service revolver as the pair sallied forth to combat the forces of evil.

The London Metropolitan police was first established in 1829 by Sir Robert Peel, a Baronet who served terms as Prime Minister.  He had previously, as Chief Secretary in Dublin, established the Royal Irish Constabulary, in 1814.  His philosophy dictated that the police operated solely by the consent of the civilian population and would not be seen as an armed force of the State. Their uniforms were designed to be distinctly different from that of the red-coated soldiers of the day.  Their only weapon was a wooden truncheon. They became known to the public, somewhat affectionally, as 'Bobbies' after their founder.  In Ireland, they were known somewhat less affectionally as 'Peelers.'  By 1857 all UK cities were required to form their own police forces.  Although Sir Robert is lauded for the establishment of the UK modern police force, not everyone was a fan.  Queen Victoria described him as a 'cold, unfeeling disagreeable man.'  In particular, he did not endear himself to Her Majesty when, as Prime Minister, he opposed the awarding of a yearly sum of 50,000 pounds to her husband, Prince Albert.  Sir Robert died at the age of 62 following a fall from his horse.

Civilian possession of handguns in Britain, with the appropriate certificate, was lawful up until the Dunblane school shooting in Scotland in 1996 when an ex-scout master took two Browning 9mm pistols and two Smith & Wesson 357 revolvers into a school and killed 16 children and a teacher before killing himself.  His fire arms possession were under the category of a collector. Within a matter of days, close to half a million people in Scotland alone signed a petition calling for the total ban on civilian possession of handguns.  An official enquiry by Lord Cullen under the Conservative government of the day recommended tighter restrictions on handgun possession but considered a complete ban 'inappropriate.'  Shooting clubs would be exempt and civilian possession of 22 calibre single shot handguns would be allowed.  However, when the Blair Labour party came to power shortly after they instituted a total ban on all handgun possession.  This did not provoke the outcry that even such an attempt would have done so in the US.  Possession of firearms is not considered a right, but a privilege which the State will strictly regulate. The shooting community is a minority with little to no political clout.  Hunting has been mainly limited to the land-owning gentry.  There are not the wide-open vast public lands that exist in the US and Canada. As an aside, long barreled weapons can be obtained by police certificate and come threaded for a suppressor.

The handgun ban does not apply to Northern Ireland where the long years of sectarian strife present their own unique threats. A resident of that province can legally possess a handgun for personal protection - if the police approve, on a case-by-case basis.

The Royal Ulster Constabulary, renamed with the more pc title of the Northern Ireland Police Service, is the one UK force responsible for policing cities and towns which is permanently armed.  Two others, which are armed but with limited jurisdiction are the Ministry of Defence police (MOD) and the Civilian Nuclear Constabulary.  They have law enforcement powers at nuclear plant sites and within 5 kilometres of those sites.  The MOD serve as an armed security and investigative service for MOD property and personnel.  They are also assigned to overseas territories for certain policing duties.  One somewhat odd example being in 2003/2004, an investigation into communal sex abuse of children on the remote Pitcairn Island where Fletcher Christian and his fellow mutineers of The Bounty, as depicted in three Hollywood movies, eventually ended up on in 1789.  Both the MOD and the Nuclear force can be assigned to assist regular forces upon a request from the Chief Constables of those forces.

In a shooting rampage in Cumbria, the Lake District, in 2010, the nearby Sellafield Nuclear site was closed and the on-site officers called in to assist the local force in tracking down the shooter.  The first responding Cumbria officers were unarmed as no armed force response group was immediately available. The shooter, armed with a double barreled shotgun and a CZ bolt action 22 rifle, killed 12 people   He had firearms certificates for both weapons.  Following the shootings, renewed calls were made for further restrictions on firearm possession, but Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron said that Britain already had some of the most stringent requirements in the world and further restrictions would not be adopted.”

To be continued…

True Nelson

Martin Luther King Day - a National Holiday / Why?

I shouldn’t write this.  Some things we are just supposed to keep to ourselves.  We can think them, but best not express them.  That said, I’m not a racist.  But…  Didn't Eric Holder (US Attorney General) say that we should have a national dialogue on 'race' - and that we (the public) are cowards who are not willing to discuss the issues? 

Yes, OK Eric, well here goes. 

Today is Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday – or close to it – he was actually born on the 15^th; but Americans like their three day holidays.

However, have you noticed that every news program has to have their obligatory tribute to Dr. King?  All of them!  No one, in the entire history of this country, has apparently (at least they would like us to believe) played a more meaningful, courageous roll than Dr. King.  He has become unique in his historical significance.  Americans simply can’t praise him enough.

I looked over my calendar.  Do you realize that Dr. King is the only individual that has a national holiday dedicated to him?  Well, unless you count Saint Patrick’s Day (whoever that was, but the Irish seem to enjoy the day), Columbus Day (this is a stretch), Valentine’s Day (I guess he was a saint also); and Christmas (not generally acknowledged or understood to be Jesus Christ’s birthday; although, I might add, I believe he played a significant role in history also).

Some might say that Dr. King was special in the sense that he fought for African-American civil-rights and against outrageous discrimination.  OK, I agree he was basically a good man and did some good things; and, I suppose, the rest of us have some serious, moral compensation due Blacks for slavery and the subsequent discrimination – even though, much of that, most of us had absolutely nothing to do with.

Regarding slavery (yes, I know, horrible to even contemplate), I do recall that thousands of White men and boys died to free the slaves.  That should mean something, shouldn’t it?  What about the Emancipation Proclamation?  What about Abraham Lincoln?  When is his birthday celebrated?  Oh, I realize, he gets to be included in Presidents’ Day.  But, that’s not quite the same as having your own day, is it?

I also know that Dr. King was assassinated because of his politics.  But, so was Lincoln – who I happen to believe did far more for African-Americans – just me.  We used to celebrate Lincoln’s birthday.  Sounds kind of old-fashioned now, doesn’t it?

However, how about some sort of compromise?  I propose a national holiday called Lincoln - King Day.

I think Dr. King would be happy and proud to share a special day with Mr. Lincoln.  

What do you think Eric?

Oh, Eric, one other thing.  I said above that I'm not a 'racist,'; but why do I have this feeling that you are?

True Nelson

Paris Massacre / Charlie Hebdo Newspaper / Who are the heroes?

I feel compelled to comment on the recent massacre in Paris.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not here to defend ‘freedom of speech’ or ‘freedom of expression,’ which are, in my opinion, largely clichés; and freely thrown around, misused, by the news media (vested interest) and the uninformed.

Charlie Hebdo is a French, for profit, ‘satirical’ weekly newspaper.  The cartoons and articles criticize and lampoon everyone who is anyone of societal importance, including religious leaders; and one of their favorite targets is Mohammed and Muslims.  I looked at some of their cartoons.  Poor taste would be a considerable understatement.  And, one can easily understand why those who worship Mohammed would be offended.  This does not, in anyway, justify the barbaric attack and the murder of the magazine’s employees.  I would, however, imagine that much of what was displayed in Charlie Hebdo would not be condoned or allowed in the United States – at least I hope not.

Why did I first say that ‘freedom of speech’ or ‘freedom of expression’ does not really exist?  And, quite frankly, it shouldn’t.  Some Americans might have found the cartoons depicting Mohammed funny or innocuous, but I don’t.  What if we had a magazine that made obscene, demeaning fun of Jews or African Americans?  Wouldn’t most of us object?  I would.

Unfortunately, for most Americans, demeaning Christianity is basically OK.  As I’ve said before, I am agnostic, but I still find some of the awful acts debasing the Christian religion offensive.

 “Piss Christ,” once branded as a “deplorable, despicable display of vulgarity,” will be displayed at the Edward Tyler Nahem Gallery in Manhattan. The artwork features a “photograph of the crucifix submerged in the artist’s urine.”

This is art?  This is freedom of expression?  This is crap!  The ‘artist’ is an idiot.

However, getting back to my original point, I don’t think Charlie Hebdo publishers and writers, now deceased, should be considered heroes.  Sorry, I just don’t.

I do think that Ahmed Merabet, the French Police Officer who died trying to protect the employees of Charlie Hebdo is a hero.  He and the other two officers killed that day should be celebrated as the true heroes.

#JenesuispasCharlie ‘I am not Charlie’

#JesuisAhmed ‘I am Ahmed’

True Nelson

Should Cops wear Body Cameras? I am skeptical.

Our President has requested $264 million to fund police body cameras for street cops – our ‘thin blue line.’  I have my doubts that this is such a good idea.  It is a questionable use of tax payers’ money, and is premised on what is basically, in my opinion, a knee-jerk decision.

Yes, of course, the President’s action is because of the high-profile Michael Brown and Eric Garner cases involving police shootings.  First off, the Eric Garner arrest, which led to Garner's unfortunate death, was filmed.  Secondly, there seems to have been adequate witness testimony in the Michael Brown case – and it is doubtful that a filmed version would have changed anyone’s opinion as to what actually occurred.

Some will say ‘What’s the down side?’  ‘What can it hurt?’  I’m not really sure; but, to me, there seems to be a lot of unanswered questions.

I don’t know exactly what is intended.  However, in Oregon, you can’t record sound (like a conversation) unless both parties are aware that they are being recorded.  That’s easy, some will argue, Officers can advise all those they contact that they are being recorded.  Think about it.  A police officer might have dozens of contacts during a typical shift.

Secondly, can the officer turn the camera on and off?  Defense Attorneys will love this.  ‘And, Officer Smith, why wasn’t your camera on in the two minutes before you exited the car to approach the defendant?’

Will rough talk by police officers be gleaned from past recorded videos?  And, subsequently used against them in court to attack their credibility, their professionalism?  Or, attempt to determine a pattern of conduct?  Do not police officers have some expectation of privacy during the course of their shift?  They are not robots.  They are human beings doing a difficult job, under often dangerous situations.

And, consider this:  There is a shooting in a neighborhood.  The officers go door-to-door attempting to quickly get a suspect description.  If you were a neighbor and happened to know that the shooter was a local gang-banger will you cooperate with police, realizing that you’re being filmed and your conversation recorded?  I’m not sure I would.  The casually informed public should understand, at least I hope they do, that police often get tips from individuals that are valid and lead to arrests – although the potential witness will deny cooperation later.  Again, one might respond, ‘Well, the detectives don’t need to wear cameras.’  Alright, but much good information is obtained by the first officers on the scene.

I guess my main point is, ‘What person wants to wear a camera recording their every move during an eight or ten hour shift?’

Why don’t fire-fighters, prison guards, parole and probation, and all security personnel wear cameras?  What about surgeons, child welfare employees, or teachers?  They get sued from time to time.  They also commit crimes.  Shouldn’t we know how they are conducting themselves?  Where does it stop?

I do think that cameras on police patrol vehicles is a good idea.  I do think that is more than adequate.

There has to be an element of trust, an element of respect, extended to those in law enforcement.  If not, who but a complete knucklehead would even want to take the job?

True Nelson

Marijuana Usage for High-Schoolers is Up Dramatically / Cigarette Smoking Declines (Part 2)

Regarding my previous post and the statistical chart, a friend advised, after reading same and reviewing the chart, that my interpretation of the chart reflects my bias.  He might be right.  I am not an advocate of legalized, recreational marijuana.  I do think that the current policy (in Oregon) to legalize marijuana is a mistake – and will be particularly detrimental to our young people.  That said, maybe, over time, we will learn to live with marijuana, and any associated abuses; just as we have with alcohol.  I hope so.  But, I still believe there will be considerable collateral damage in the meantime.

The chart:  Well, I understand that statistics can lie and that liars use statistics.  However, not capable of conducting my own in-depth research on the subject, I considered the source fairly reputable.

What I thought was particularly shocking was the reported statistic that approximately 20% of high schoolers have, pretty consistently since the year 2000, used marijuana ‘within the past 30 days.’  If true, I am totally out-of-touch with what is considered typical at an American high school.

My friend pointed-out the 1.5% drop in MJ usage 2013 to 2014 – and that it was a positive indicator – in his opinion.  Personally, I’m not so sure.  One year doesn’t necessarily indicate a trend.

So, how do we explain that smoking in high school is way, way down, and marijuana usage remains at one out of five students?  Has the campaign against smoking worked in a spectacular way?  Have cigarettes just become too darned expensive for the average high school student?  What’s going on?  Are there any high school teachers that can help me out on this?

Furthermore, what will the high school student usage of MJ be as more and more states legalize it?  I think usage will go up; but, I could be wrong – it wouldn’t be the first time.

True Nelson

Marijuana Usage for High-Schoolers is Up Dramatically / Cigarette Smoking Declines

In case you missed it.  Of particular note to all the self-assured parents and grandparents who voted for legalized, recreational marijuana, with the understanding that said legalization would not impact minors (possession of which is illegal for those under 21 years of age), there is good news and bad news.

From an article by Elena Holodny, Business Insider, dated 12/23/14:  ‘America’s High School Kids Prefer Weed.’

The good news:  Ms. Holodny’s research has shown that cigarette smoking has trended down:  “Only 10.3% (High Schoolers) have reportedly smoked a cigarette in the past 30 days, down from 27.4% in 2000”

The bad news:  However, as the above chart shows; “The gap between marijuana and cigarette usage is widening.  Until 2008, cigarettes were the preferred option, but now weed is clearly the go-to for those in High-School.”

Cigarette companies are now pondering the feasibility of entering the marijuana business – clearly a growth industry; and an apparently attractive commodity to our youth.

For the tobacco industry, a new motto might be, or is it their old motto, ‘Get ‘em while they’re young.’

True Nelson

Protesters Share Responsibility for Murder of New York PD Officers

I’m not going to mince words here.  The New York protesters that walked the streets chanting, “What do you want?  Dead Cops!  When do you want it?  Now!” are in large part responsible for the assassination of the two New York City Police Officers, Rafael Ramos and Wenjin Lin.

And to those protesters, I say:  ‘Don’t try and rationalize it.  You brought this on and you are responsible.  This is part of your life’s legacy.  This is the shame you have brought on your families.  There is nothing you can do or say, at this point, that will in any way absolve you from blame or shame.  Please just do us all a favor and slink back to your pathetic, meaningless lives.’

I just want the New York PD and the officers’ families, to know that many of us, most of us, throughout this country, morn their loss.  It was so unnecessary and tragic.

And, as for your mayor, Bill de Blasio, what can I say?  The majority of New Yorkers voted for him.

A sad note for this holiday season.

True Nelson

Aaron L. Hodges / Nordstrom Employee / Intelligent, Articulate, and all-around swell guy.

Aaron L. Hodges:

I have to restrain myself from saying what I would really like to say about this individual.

He was recently fired from Nordstrom’s in Portland for posting on Facebook what normal, decent people would consider one of the most hateful, distasteful, stupid and racist statements imaginable.

He wrote:  “Instead of slamming the police, I prefer a Kenny Fort approach.  Every time an unarmed black man is killed, you kill a decorated white officer, on his door step in front of his family.”  (Actually Hodges was referring to Jeff Fort)

According to The Oregonian article 12/17/14, Hodges stated that the comment was taken out of context and that he didn’t actually mean for it to be literally interpreted.

OK, I understand.  And, if I was to say that Hodges was a moron, I am not inferring that he is literally a moron - he is, however, a moron, figuratively speaking.

Nordstrom’s did ask Hodges to seek work elsewhere.  I'm sure they were very polite about it.  Nordstrom’s is, after all, a responsible employer in our community.  And very accommodating too.  According to the Oregonian, Hodges had been previously convicted for Assault, Forgery, and “eight counts of manufacturing and delivering drugs.”

Nordstrom’s employment philosophy is, apparently, that everyone deserves a second, third, fourth, perhaps a fifth chance.  Makes one wonder where Mr. Hodges was working at Nordstrom’s.  He’d be a good fit for HR, or even the Accounting Department.

Oh, yes, and who exactly is Jeff Fort?

Per Wikipedia:  “Jeff Fort is a former Chicago gang leader.  Fort was convicted of drug trafficking in 1983 and sentenced to 13 years in prison. He is currently serving a 155 year prison sentence after being convicted of terrorism conspiracy in 1987 for plotting to commit attacks inside the U.S. in exchange for weapons and $2.5 million from Libya.”

True Nelson

The Policeman

I hope that many of you will take just a few moments out of your busy schedules to watch this video, narration by Paul Harvey - somewhat dated, but, nonetheless, timely.

www.youtube.com/v/RUUZ2fKVqcs?version=3&f=videos@app=youtube_gdata


Thank you,

True Nelson

Attorney General Eric Holder Rushed to Personally Comfort Michael Brown's Family

For those who might read this post, maybe you can answer a question for me.  I might have missed this.

Did United States Attorney General Eric Holder rush to the following victim’s families to offer his personal condolences and to hug and comfort the victim’s grieving family members?

Melvin Santiago (White), Jersey City, New Jersey PD was shot and killed 7-13-14 by a Black man.

Jeffrey Westerfield (White), Gary, Indiana PD was shot and killed 7-6-14 by a Black man.

Perry Renn (White), Indianapolis, Indiana PD was shot and killed 7-5-14 by a Black man.

Deputy Sheriff Allen Bares, Jr. (White), Vermillion Parish, Louisiana was shot and killed 6-23-14 by a Black man.

Charles Dinwiddie (White), Killen, Texas PD was shot and killed 5-11-14 by a Black man.

Kevin Jordan (Black), Griffin, Georgia PD was shot and killed 5-31-14 by a White man.

True Nelson

Some Final Words on the Michael Brown, Ferguson Incident

Some final words on the Michael Brown, Ferguson incident.  It is with some sadness that I see this growing racial divide in our country.  I thought we were making good progress over the years; but now it seems we are in a period of regression or entrenchment.  It makes me wonder what is going on.  Has our President, and his recent comments, reduced the racial divide or widened it?  More likely the latter, in my opinion.

I suppose, as many have said, there are numerous reasons:  unemployment, poor schools, and the breakdown in the traditional family unit, on and on.  There are, of course, no easy answers.

I am supportive of the police.  Generally speaking they do a very good job under difficult and sometimes dangerous situations.

As an FBI Agent in the 70s, I considered myself racially unbiased – for the most part.  In my prior military experience, I worked with many minorities.  In the military, quite frankly, one becomes ‘color blind’ to that sort of thing.  A couple of my best friends were African Americans – wonderful guys.  There were ‘Black’ Agents in the Bureau as well – and my feelings were the same for those of them who were my co-workers.

On the other hand, in the San Francisco Bay area, during the 70s, this was the era of the Black Panthers, the SLA, the Black Liberation Army, the Weather Underground, the Red Guerilla Family, etc., etc.  The individuals who made up these groups; well, let’s just say, I had nothing in common with them.  Many were dangerous criminals.  They were the enemy.  Harsh words, I know.  And, I also am aware that many people, now, have an idealized, albeit unrealistic image of the 70’s groups referenced above.  I do not.  All I can say is that you were not there, you didn’t know these people like I did.

Let me describe, very briefly, a typical arrest in the Oakland projects.  Four Agents would go inside the multi-story building to make the arrest.  Two Agents stayed behind, on the street, to protect the Bureau cars.  While you waited on the street, you had a bit of a dilemma.  You couldn’t hide or show fear.  Standing in plain sight, as each second passed, you wondered if someone was taking aim at your head from an adjacent building.  Going inside, well, that was like entering another world, filled with sullen, hateful, alien eyes.  You moved as fast as you could, hoping that everything would go smoothly with no confrontation.  If the subject resisted, all hell would break loose.

Are there some ‘white folks’ out there, liberal types, who would say, “I’d love to have that job.”?  I doubt it.  Are there ‘blacks’ out there who would welcome the opportunity to make an arrest in the ‘projects’?  I doubt that too.  African American Police Officers and Agents know the dangers more than anyone.

So what can we conclude about those in law enforcement?  Surprisingly, most of the guys and gals are pretty high quality, and quite rational.  Law enforcement personnel, many of them, are a cut above.  Yes, there are more than a few bad cops.  But, the majority risk their lives to protect us – and we should honor them.

Police work is not, should not, be considered warfare.  The mission of the police is to serve and to protect.  And, arresting bad people is part of protecting honest citizens.  But, in a microcosm, in the rare one on one confrontation, there are similarities to warfare.  And, we the public, should understand that.  There are risks, dangers, fears, and even sometimes collateral damage involved in enforcing the law and protecting the majority.  That’s the way it is.  That’s the way it has always been.

If I could quote John Stuart Mill (a liberal in his time) briefly, and in a slightly redacted form – with the understanding that he was speaking of war, not law enforcement.  That said, might there be some relevance in Mill’s words that we all should consider?

"The person who has nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."

                                                               John Stuart Mill (1806 - 1873)

True Nelson

The Shooting of Michael Brown / Some Aspects Trouble Me

There are some aspects of the Michael Brown shooting that trouble me.  As a former deputy sheriff, FBI Agent and FBI firearms instructor, I would not have reacted as Ferguson Police Officer, Darren Wilson, did; and I’ll tell you why.

This is not a criticism of Officer Wilson.  He probably reacted appropriately and in accord with his training.

When I was in law enforcement, the weapon of the day (really not that long ago) was a .357 magnum revolver.  It held six rounds.  By training and experience, a deputy or an Agent knew exactly how many rounds / bullets had been fired, and how many live rounds remained available - at all times.  Now, I’d be willing to wager, cops involved in shootings generally have no idea.  If someone, after the shooting of Michael Brown, had asked Wilson how many shots he’d fired from his semi-automatic’s large capacity clip, he would have probably shrugged his shoulders.

With the large capacity clips, I can say with certainty, law enforcement training has been downgraded (in my opinion) to maximize firepower over marksmanship and related tactics.

Would I have killed Michael Brown under the same circumstances?  I don’t know.  What I do know is that I probably would not have started firing at the distances reported, and probably fired no more than twice before making a split second evaluation of the effect.  First, Wilson knew, or apparently knew, that Brown did not have a weapon.  Secondly, a properly placed bullet will stop someone at very close range, if you’re confident in hitting what you are shooting at.  However, I would not have let Brown engage me in some sort of wrestling match for the possession of my firearm.  As I’ve said before, many cops are killed with their own gun.

The other troubling aspect is Wilson’s approach to Brown.  Reportedly, Wilson knew that Brown was a suspect in a ‘strong-arm’ robbery.  Wilson should never have allowed the suspect to get so close to him when he (Wilson) was still seated in his vehicle.  And, apparently, Wilson attempted to talk to Brown through the rolled-down window of his patrol car.  That was his first mistake.  I guess that Wilson’s explanation was that when he attempted to get out of his vehicle, Brown pushed the door closed, and then began to assault Wilson through the open window.  Regardless, Wilson was too close to Brown while still in his vehicle.

This is a tragedy for everyone concerned.  Wilson was recently asked if he would have done anything differently.  He responded that he would not have.  My thought is of course he would have.  His career and personal life are in tatters, and he narrowly escaped prosecution.

It is reported that Michael Brown had marijuana in his system.  To my knowledge, MJ does not cause the type of behavior he exhibited on that fateful day.  Brown, from all indications, was an angry, possibly mentally impaired, individual looking for trouble.  It cost him his life.  Yes, he was just eighteen; and that is sad.  But, he was dangerous nonetheless.  If he had reached Wilson, he could have potentially killed a police officer who was only trying to do his job.

True Nelson