Do most police officers carry a bullet chambered in their gun at all times?
828610
Yes.\n\nEvery police officer I am aware of carries their weapon loaded with a bullet in the chamber.  It is the only way that is taught in the academy, mainly because when you're drawing your weapon and firing, you're already seconds behind the bad guy's actions.\n\nAnd no, revolvers are not carried with the round under the hammer empty.  Modern revolvers do not allow the hammer to rest on the round beneath it, so there is no need to leave any empty.
444955
gotta throw in my 2cents, I carry concealed about 95% of the time I go out and every time I am on a date. Why? well i was in law enforcement for 12yrs (i know ex-cop) and I saw a lot of ugly things happen during my "tour". The long and short is I could never forgive my self if something happened to someone I loved or cared about because I was unable to react to a situation. HOWEVER if a situation arose, i would remain a trained observer and attempt to relay all info to the PD on my cell phone unless i had no other option. Having said that, I know of people that carry and they scare me too, so I see both sides.
837457
I don't believe it is rare. I was almost shot by a policeman with his .45 caliber gun. I am just a mild mannered, middle aged computer programmer who was coding a program all night at a software company. I left the building at 3:00AM and accidentally triggered the alarm that wouldn't reset after attempting to reset it for 10 minutes. So, I left the building carrying my black name and address booklet in my hand. Suddenly, a huge, towering man approached me from behind ordering me to drop what was in my hands and put my hands behind my back. There was no police car present, no motor cycle present, and he did not identify himself. I thought he was a night watchman. I explained that I was an employee and had accidentally tripped the alarm. He screamed that I should not look at him and should drop what was in my hands and put my hands behind my back. It was dark out, and I couldn't see him well. He shined a bright light on me and looked through some kind of viewer which I now know was a gun. Eventually, after he demonstrated severe and frightening anger, I obeyed him and was handcuffed. I figured he was just some angry security guard. Moments later police cars arrived, and I was relieved that some professionals showed up. Those officers were very nice to me. But, the big guy who had initially stopped me, then revealed to me his gun and how close he was to having shot me. He repeated that several times and also stated he thought my name and address book might be a weapon. And, I didn't find out until the next day that he actually was a real police officer who worked foot patrol. I thought he was a guard by his wearing of a blue shirt instead of the black police uniform the other police wore. Had he only identified himself as a police officer at the initial encounter, I would have obeyed immediately.
1150412
In any O.I.S. (Officer involved shooting) there's an automatic review and investigation.  ANY time an officer's weapon goes off, there'll be an ivestigation. The I.A. investigation will take first the statements of the officers who were there, then the civilians. It's conducted with a bit more discretion than a criminal investigation, but the methods are pretty much the same. If there's no evidence of misconduct by the officer, he'll be cleared of any wrongdoing. \n  The biggest difference from this scenario, and most civilian related shootings, is that there's not only criminal consideration, but also procedural investigation. If the officer's not committed any crimes, they still have to determine if he's violated the protocol of his department for an officer to discharge his firearm. He may be cleared of a crime, but excercised poor judgement. In these cases, they have to decide whether or not to push for discipline.
712492
As long as the guns aren't stolen. But if you use them to murder police officers, they won't be living long.
194226
Georgia - State law generally forces police chiefs and state sheriffs to give concealed carry permits (CCW) to anyone who can buy a handgun, allowing them to carry loaded, concealed handguns in public (�shall issue�). Police have very little discretion to refuse CCW applicants. State law even allows people to carry loaded guns in their cars without getting a CCW permit. Police may not even require safety training in the legal or safe use of weapons for CCW applicants.\n\nGeorgia: State law requires gun buyers to go through a state-based criminal background check in addition to the federal NICS check. This is the best system since it includes checking both state and federal records to prevent criminals and other prohibited people from buying guns.
332135
Yes...like most of the public you have good and bad police officers.  Bad police officers make up just a small percent of the entire law enforcement community.\n\nThe police powers are you speaking off, the powers of arrest.\n\nIn order for police officers to do their job well, they are vested by the state with a monopoly in the use of certain powers. These include the powers to arrest, search, seize, and interrogate; and if necessary, to use lethal force. In nations with democratic systems and the rule of law, the law of criminal procedure has been developed to regulate officers' discretion, so that they do not exercise their vast powers arbitrarily or unjustly.\n\nIn U.S. criminal procedure, the most famous case is Miranda v. Arizona which led to the widespread use of Miranda warnings. U.S. police are also prohibited from holding criminal suspects for more than a reasonable amount of time (usually 72 hours) before arraignment, using torture to extract confessions, using excessive force to effect an arrest, and searching suspects' bodies or their homes without a warrant obtained upon a showing of probable cause. There are exceptions or exigent circumstances such as an articulated need to disarm a suspect or searching a suspect who has already been arrested (Search Incident to an Arrest). The Posse Comitatus Act prevents the use of the U.S. military for police activity, giving added importance to police SWAT units.\n\nBritish police officers are governed by similar rules, particularly those introduced under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, but generally have greater powers. They may, for example, legally search any suspect who has been arrested, or their vehicles, home or business premises, without a warrant, and may seize anything they find in a search as evidence. All police officers in the United Kingdom, whatever their actual rank, are 'constables' in terms of their legal position. This means that a newly appointed constable has the same arrest powers as a Chief Constable or Commissioner. However certain higher ranks have additional powers to authorise certain aspects of police operations, such as a power to authorise a search of a suspects house (section 18 PACE) by an officer of the rank of Inspector, or the power to authorise a suspects detention beyond 24 hours by a Superintendent.\n\nPolice officers face many dangers in their jobs. Police officers are constantly being faced with the unknown and the unpredictable. They never truly know the outcome of any situation they enter into. This can make policing a dangerous profession. Dangers faced by police include death, increased risk of infectious diseases, and serious and minor trauma, both physical and emotional. These dangers are encountered in many different situations i.e. apprehension/arrest and investigation of criminals, conducting vehicle stops, investigating people and crimes, protecting the public from dangerous situations or individuals, investigating traffic accidents and witnessing the carnage that often results from those accidents, responding to suicides and directing traffic.\n\nHowever, many police officers do derive a genuine sense of job satisfaction from their work, especially when a long investigation has been successfully completed. On a day-to-day basis, officers can often see the results of their work in their ability to help members of the public, even with incidents of relatively minor importance.
461062
I have told there is a town in Texas (?) where it is mandatory for all allowable residents to carry a gun at all times, they are given instruction on it's use etc. The street gun crime rate is almost non-existent. Gun toting criminals have found out the hard way, to go somewhere else.\nSensible use of guns should be applauded.\nTake this scenario\nGuy pulls gun on couple walking back from theatre, he hears from all around him, "hold it one moment sucker" and finds that maybe 20 people have pulled their guns and pointing them at him, at the same time due to their training the couple have dropped to the ground and have their own guns out.... not a very auspicious moment for the mugger.\n\nI am not advocating the carrying of guns without due training, that is like giving a 10 year old the keys to a Porche... crazy.....
728131
bcuz its the police, they use guns all over the world
565420
A BULLET if you get caught. LOL
21913
Depends on what kind of pistol.  There are varieties that hold only one bullet to others that carry large clips holding maybe 20 or 30.
537441
all members of the military wear individual body armor...right now the only thing authorized are the sapi plates that stop 7.62 rounds (eqivalent of the m249b).  depending on the mission, like diving, some members only wear the kevlar that protects you from shrapnel.  we only wear armor that protects our upper body.  the crap video gamers see is unrealistic.
414347
NOPE!!!! All states allow officers to operate their radar or laser gun from inside or outside their car
988155
They can now and here in Florida it is legal for a person to shoot if they feel that they are in danger for their life. And you know what, if someone bashed my door down I'd shoot first and ask questions later. I think this may be very bad for all the police trying to do their jobs. What in Gods' name were they thinking? Some idiot right wingers may think this is OK but heaven help the cops.
221979
Call your State police and ask them, they will know what to tell you. In Pa you have to have the ammo and gun in seperate sections of the vehicle, like the gun in the passenger compartment and the ammo in the trunk. Guns laws change so very quickly and quietly sometimes that it would be best to double check any info with your police dept.
613694
depend on the officer...most are often chambered. Some feel more secure w/trigger guard (esp on glock models). Why..feelin lucky!
1079205
I'm a former police officer, and for those of you who say "call the police" instead...you are in for a rude awakening. \n\nIF you can call while being attacked, raped, killed, or robbed...\n\nIF the police are not busy and can't get there within time to save you...\n\nIF you happen to know exactly where you are, and can tell that to the police while being attacked, raped, killed, or robbed...\n\nTheres an awful lot of "IF's" aren't there?\n\nI was shot at twice in the line of duty, and still FIRMLY believe in the right to carry a firearm for protection. However, you should receive training with it, and practice regularly. You should also know the regulations for the state where you live. The federal regulations shouldn't come into play.\n\nIf your interested in owning a firearm go to a reputable gun dealer and speak to them. There are firearms made specifically for womens smaller hands. They may even offer safety & training classes.\n\nWhile there are instances where firearms are taken away from the victim, there are also numerous instances where the dirtbag was shot & injured/killed. If you plan on carrying a firearm make sure your trained, AND if you pull out make sure you have the balls to use it...if not, then it could very well be taken and used against you. If you have problems killing someone who is attacking you then don't...however, if you don't have a problem with it then...lock & load. Good luck.