[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by LndLocked

A husband and father of a young girl DIED .... your attempt at humor is decidedly not funny

Rules are rules as I have learned om TOTV reference the fence behind the bush.

[janmcn]

Originally Posted by Golfingnut

The one man was texting where it was clearly illegal to do it. Then the other guy had a gun where he should not have had it. Does the two violations cancel each other out. Of course the killing still remains. Perhaps the 71 year old man was in fear of his life from the 43 year old man. Zimmerman got away with it so why not the retired officer.

George Zimmerman got away with it because he claimed self-defense. The police department spokesman said yesterday that this is not a self-defense or 'stand your ground' case and would not be investigated as such.

Friends and neighbors, interviewed for today's newpapers, were unanimous in saying Curtis Reeves was in control of his mental faculties.

Who said it is illegal to text in a movie theater?

[JRW8219]

Originally Posted by TexaninVA

The basic premise remains intact ... if the guv outlaws legal gun ownership, or restricts it so severely as to accomplish the same purpose de facto, criminals will continue to use firearms irregardless.

Yes but at least THIS texter would be alive! This story isn't an isolate incident. People die every day from someone carrying a concealed (legal) gun. Would have been a complete non-story if a gun was not present. Sad, Sad.

[jblum315]

And the Florida legislature right now is considering a bill to allow people to show (i.e. brandish) a gun in public.

[Carl in Tampa]

Originally Posted by redwitch

We really don't know how much training the shooter had. Being a police officer doesn't necessarily mean you've been trained in criminal justice procedures. Many sheriffs are elected officials. They don't necessarily have any police training to get the job. Working up the ranks to police commander doesn't guarantee a lot of training -- it could be political, it could be nepotism, it could be blind luck.

I know in California officers in one town are required to have a Master's in either criminal justice or education. The next town over requires a high school diploma. The difference in the officers of these two towns is amazing. Something tells me most officers in Florida have the type of training the high school graduates have -- they know how to be bullies; they know how to write tickets; they know how to profile; but they don't really know how to protect and serve. Don't assume that police officers have all that much more training than the average person. It really depends on the area.

The reality is that every human has a trigger that can be pulled if pushed too far. So, if that trigger is pulled, things become physical. If you happen to have a weapon when in that state, it becomes very possible to want to use that weapon and, if you're not entirely sane (none of us are), it becomes possible to use that weapon. I am totally of the theory that it is people that kill, not guns. So, limiting who can have a gun makes sense. Florida is too lax in who can carry, as are most states. To me, there should be a viable reason for being allowed to carry a concealed weapon, not just in case something happens and there MIGHT be a need to protect myself. It should be a very viable reason; evidence should be given that a gun is needed because of a threat of grave physical harm. To issue a concealed weapon to someone just because they have no history of violence and have not committed a felony is not sufficient in my mind.

(BTW -- I carry, so don't push my buttons. ;-))

Perhaps a little education about the training of law enforcement officers in Florida is in order. It might change your stereotype image, as highlighted above.

1. The shooter was neither an elected Sheriff nor a Deputy Sheriff. He was a retired Captain from the Tampa Police Department. He had been retired for over twenty years.

2. Florida has a very stringent qualification program for certification as a law enforcement officer, administered by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Division of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

In addition, an annual re-qualification in the high hazard elements (especially firearms, pursuit driving and first responder first aid) and in physical fitness is mandatory for maintaining certification. The basic training program for certification as a law enforcement officer lasts just over three months.

3. In the agency where I worked, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (Tampa) you need not bother to apply to become a Deputy Sheriff unless you already have a four year college degree.

If accepted for consideration you are required to go through a state approved police academy to become certified as a law enforcement officer, but this does not guarantee you a job.

Applicants at HCSO must go through an additional training period which is similar to military "boot camp" where your response to highly stressful situations, simulating police job stress, is measured.

Successful applicants then go "on the road" with a Field Training Officer where they are further evaluated for suitability for a career in law enforcement. If successful, they then operate on their own for a further probationary period, and then become full fledged Deputy Sheriffs.

In addition to the Law Enforcement Deputies, the HCSO has certified Detention Deputies who staff the multiple jail facilities and the courts of the county. Their training is similar, with emphasis on a different skill set, to the Law Enforcement Deputies.

The HCSO is one of the largest Sheriff's Offices in the United States.

And, getting back to the original point --- your stereotype of law enforcement officers in Florida. The Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Curriculum is available for review on line at Florida Department of Law Enforcement I don't think you will find being bullies, writing tickets or profiling on the list.

------------

Getting back to this particular tragic incident, there is another observation to be made. The shooter was 71 years old; the victim was 43. Obviously, tempers flared on both sides.

There is a saying, usually said as a joke, which contains an element of truth:

"Never pick a fight with an old man. He knows that he can't whip you, so he has to shoot you."

Personally, I never express anger at someone who cuts me off in traffic or otherwise offends me in public. To me it isn't worth getting into a confrontation........ even though I think I would prevail. I am an old man.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Happinow

It seems to me that since the world is becoming so unpredictable that metal detectors should be placed at the entrance of every public place.... theaters, malls, restaurants, etc. why would anyone need to bring a gun into a public place if there were no other weapons in that establishment? Problem solved.

The state of Florida recently decided,with much urging from the NRA, that it was ok for college students to bring a gun to campus.........it must be kept locked in their car. Soon in Florida you will see people with side arms strapped to their hip!

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by LndLocked

A husband and father of a young girl DIED .... your attempt at humor is decidedly not funny

I agree.

[janmcn]

A circuit judge has denied Curtis Reeves bond, so it seems he will have plenty of time to sit in jail and rethink his actions. His decision going forward seems to be do I possibly bankrupt my family by going to trial or should I just plead guilty and spend the rest of my life in jail.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by janmcn

A circuit judge has denied Curtis Reeves bond, so it seems he will have plenty of time to sit in jail and rethink his actions. His decision going forward seems to be do I possibly bankrupt my family by going to trial or should I just plead guilty and spend the rest of my life in jail.

Probably good points to think about when buying a gun!

[Indydealmaker]

Regardless of the aspect that a gun chose to shoot this guy, we can all expect to see more violence of all types. The general lack of respect for rules and nearly universal void of common courtesy is a breeding ground for confrontation.

[JourneyOfLife]

Quote from CNN Article

During an interview with Reeves with his arrest, and after the former cop was read his Miranda rights, Reeves admitted to firing his weapon at the victim because "he was in fear of being attacked," according to the police report.

Reeves told police that Oulson had hit him with what the police report describes as an "unknown object."

Witnesses told police they saw no punches being thrown during the incident, according to the report.

Bond denied for ex-cop who allegedly shot texting dad at movies

It would not surprise me if this guy uses a legal defense of "self defense".

[janmcn]

Originally Posted by JourneyOfLife

Quote from CNN Article


Bond denied for ex-cop who allegedly shot texting dad at movies

It would not surprise me if this guy uses a legal defense of "self defense".

Unfortunately for Mr Reeves, there were over 100 witnesses, including a Sumter County sheriff's deputy who stepped in to subdue the shooter. Another unfortunate fact for Mr Reeves, the victim was two rows away. The only thing that got thrown was popcorn.

Mr Reeves can hire a defense attorney and try the "self defense" strategy, however these attorneys don't come cheap. Reeves could also lose his policeman's pension if he becomes a convicted felon.

[shcisamax]

The entire situation is very sad and a tragedy for all.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by Indydealmaker

The general lack of respect for rules and nearly universal void of common courtesy is a breeding ground for confrontation.

How true!

[LndLocked]

Originally Posted by LndLocked View Post
A husband and father of a young girl DIED .... your attempt at humor is decidedly not funny

Originally Posted by Golfingnut

Rules are rules as I have learned om TOTV reference the fence behind the bush.

I consider myself above average in the sharpness factor .... and I have no idea what you mean??????????????????????????