Conversation

The problem is that "I mistook gun for taser" is even an option. Why do you need to bring a gun to a discussion about missing tags? Leave it in the car. Why are cops handling basic welfare/fix-it issues at all? Parking enforcement gets by with pepper spray. Let them handle it.

Quote Tweet

The New York Times

@nytimes

· Apr 13, 2021

Tasers look and feel different from pistols, and most police forces have protocols to prevent a mix-up. So how could the officer who shot Daunte Wright in Minnesota on Sunday grab her gun instead of her Taser, as the police chief said? nyti.ms/3uLVpEj

Show this thread

263

This Tweet was deleted by the Tweet author. Learn more

Jesse Powell

@jespow

Replying to

@octal

Fully agree. Cops bring a high threat level to every interaction though, which automatically raises the stakes. If the person pulled over knows you have the ability to arrest them or kill them, things are more likely to escalate. Cops anticipate the worst and respond out of fear.

2:34 AM · Apr 14, 2021Twitter Web App

Retweets

Quote Tweet

Likes

This Tweet was deleted by the Tweet author. Learn more

Jesse Powell

@jespow

Apr 14, 2021

Ya, it's a catch-22. If I know you're not going to look me up and haul me in or shoot me, I'm going to have nothing to worry about. I'll just take the ticket and go about my business. Since you don't have to worry about me shooting you, you don't have to be ready to shoot me.

Replying to

and

Civilian guns being so widespread are why cops carry theirs at all times. Most times I’m pulled over I get asked if there are firearms in the car. The threat goes both ways

Jesse Powell

@jespow

Apr 14, 2021

Cops only need to worry about guns on them at traffic stops because any traffic stop can turn in to an escalated criminal investigation. If it was up to the meter maids, they'd just hand out tickets for the observed infraction, ask no questions, move on, never need a gun.

Replying to

and

It's primarily because the person who is stopped might be someone who is clearly breaking the law and a vehicle search might result in them going back to jail, which means they have an incentive to use the firearm at the cop. Sol: Fewer traffic stops, end the war on drugs.

Jesse Powell

@jespow

Apr 14, 2021

Yeah, that's the problem -- that any minor stop for a $25 issue could turn in to a chance discovery of a larger crime. IMO we should just issue a ticket to the license plate, don't identify the driver, don't look for other crimes. Lower chance of violence at traffic stops.

Show replies