Stop Talking: Chief Keith James gets it wrong

This is from a recent press conference announcing proposed legislation in California that will be the 'most restrictive in the country' (says State Senator Steinberg, who is exactly the kind of person that looks like he would give a bad guy his wallet and hope he would go away before he got mad, but whatever).

In a video display sure to go down in police history as one of the dumbest fucking things a cop has ever said on camera, (corrected text) Emeryville police Chief Keith James explains that guns are 'offensive', not 'defensive' weapons. He says guns are:

"Offensive weapons, used to intimidate, and used to show power. Police officers do not carry a gun as a defensive weapon, to defend themselves or their other officers. They carry a gun to be able to do their job in a safe and effective manner, and face any oppositions [sic] that we [sic] may come upon."

Fast forward to 6:28 in the video for the key quote, or just go here.

So that's why cops carry guns: so that they can intimidate and show power. In other words, cops don't carry guns because you might shoot them, they carry guns so that they can shoot you. I never thought of it that way but it makes a lot of sense.

That's a comforting thought to share at a press conference where you're announcing a broad plan to restrict my rights as a firearms owner.

This isn't about public safety, it's about control.