kathyp and michael bush, I agree.
Beemaster, I would like to point out that the beginning of the Ferguson protests were about overwhelming police force responding to the the rioters. The police arrived in what was described in battle gear, armored vehicles, and AR-15's with long range scopes observing the protest. Later anarchists took over and we all know the rest of the story. Don't get me wrong, I'm a law and order guy.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-reinbach/what-happened-to-protect-_b_6282012.html I just want to point out that the police are becoming militarized in this country. Much of it is surplus material from Afganistan and Iraq. You don't have to look far to find stories of small towns receiving APC's and automatic AR's.
Many police forces have "overwhelming force" policies as their treatment toward dangerous standoffs.
I know I am going to be attacked by many for my opinion, but the local police have no business being militarized. Some would say it's OK since they are getting bad guys. It is not. It is a matter of time until those militarized police forces start to take more and more of our rights away.
You or your children or your grand children may face a militarized police force willingly under the direction of a powerful anti gun politician. What are you going to do then? Have you read stories of how Maryland law enforcement are pulling over our of state conceal carry licensees? They scan license plates, pull them over, and toss them in jail (even if their gun is at home). It's starting now.
http://redalertpolitics.com/2015/01/02/gun-owners-fear-police-targeting-maryland/We are never again going to see the day were a Barney Fife carries one bullet in his shirt and Andy can talk his way with all the country folk. Police forces should be well armed and have efficient tactical plans for their community, especially in the bigger cities. The should have the best body armour, dash board cams and But for the rest of suburban and rural America, we don't need that. There is nothing good that will come from a militarized police force.
I say it is not enough to say "I support the Constitution and the Bill of Rights." We must be active politically on local, regional and national levels. It is not enough to pay your one year renewal to the NRA every year, you must actively vet the politicians at every level.
(Especially those school boards).
Going back to kathyp and michael bush, all of our Rights are equal and they must be protected equally. Equally and actively with diligence. God Bless America.
Thank you for reading my rant, I'm headed downstairs to reload some brass and shoot some steel next week.