Senator Toomey,
Recently, PoliceOne.com conducted a survey of more than 15,000 of my colleagues in law enforcement. While supervisory ranks are represented, the majority of responses came from patrol officers and deputies-the people at the pointy end of the stick. These are the people who truly know best regarding the potential effects of gun control legislation on violent crime.
It may surprise you that their opinions are radically different from those expressed by politically appointed chiefs of police who are beholden to their (often Democratic and often liberal) political sponsors. There is a reason hundreds of elected sheriffs who are beholden to the citizenry oppose new federal gun control laws, and have publicly stated they will simply not enforce them. There is a reason states have passed, or are considering legislation to attempt to nullify any unconstitutional gun law in their states.
As a decorated, serving police officer with more than 20 years--all of it in truly high crime areas--on the streets in our beloved Commonwealth, I stand with more than 15,000 of my colleagues nationwide when I say that we do not want, nor do we need, additional gun laws.
If you want to have an impact, work to ensure that prosecutors on the local, state and federal levels enforce the laws we have. Enforce minimum penalties for crimes committed with guns. Where minimums don't exist, advocate for them. But do not abridge the rights of law abiding citizens by supporting gun control, and above all, do not do it under the impression that this is what law enforcement needs or wants.
We don't.
To see the survey results, go to policeone.com or directly to
http://ddq74coujkv1i.cloudfront.net/p1_gunsurveysummary_2013.pdf
Love and Kisses,
PoliceMedic
