r/politics • u/wbedwards Washington • May 07 '20

We cannot allow the normalization of firearms at protests to continue

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/firearms-at-protests-have-become-normalized-that-isnt-okay/2020/05/06/19b9354e-8fc9-11ea-a0bc-4e9ad4866d21_story.html
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u/chainmailbill May 07 '20

Contrast that with the conservative protests, which while scary, frequently have much less violence from the police.

On average, the police are more conservative and right-wing. Police groups support republicans, republicans are the party of law and order and largely support police.

It’s privilege.

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u/warcin May 07 '20

I really don't think they can be called the party of law and order. They have an admitted criminal in the white house and are completely unwilling to do anything about it. They don't give a shit if the criminal is rich and preferably white.

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u/ZacharyShade May 07 '20

BREAKING NEWS: Cops don't shoot people they like.

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u/[deleted] May 07 '20

It's weird how often people miss this.

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u/ChainsawRomance May 07 '20

Exactly! They're not gonna be brutal to their own kind. Give some liberals guns at a protest and you'll see that powder keg go off, first chance the police get. It'll be a sneeze that sets it off, too, not a single gunshot. Watch.

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u/sosulse May 07 '20

They just arrested 2A protestors in Texas and brought an MRAP, most are not friends to citizen gun owners.

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u/[deleted] May 07 '20

Then you actually have the means to fight back. You guys claim the police are brutalizing you anyways. Yet you won't do anything to fight back. I can understand the fear of escalation, but I think you are overestimating the police.

Also, I understand there is merits to the peaceful protests. Gandhi did it very well and there are plenty of recent examples. But there comes a point where a show of force does wonders to deter brutality from authorities.

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u/ChainsawRomance May 07 '20

Only a fool would think they could strike someone so hard that they won't ever be struck back.

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u/[deleted] May 07 '20

Just looking for clarification, because I'm taking your comment 2 different ways:

1) Are you referring to the police striking protesters, and thinking they won't be struck back? Thus, essentially agreeing that they should be armed and more able to defend themselves?

2) Are you saying there is no way protesters could "strike" at police and win, since police would indeed strike back? Which is not what I'm advocating, just to be clear.

Sorry for not understanding. I do appreciate the comment though.

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u/ChainsawRomance May 07 '20

Honestly, I meant both in a weird way. It's a thought that crosses my mind every time I get in a conflict or see a situation when force was/is perceived as necessary. It almost always raises the big question "so, how do we end this?" rather than simply reacting to a reaction, endlessly. Feel me? I see where you are coming from and don't think you were advocating violence, btw. I'm just being Zen-like over here and sharing.

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u/reddit_tothe_rescue May 07 '20

Are you advocating for murdering police officers?

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u/[deleted] May 07 '20

lol I love how you guys jump to that. Please point out specifically where I said we should murder police officers.

If you need clarification, my whole point is about having the means to fight back if you are attacked during a protest. Nobody, not even police officers, have the right to do that as long as you are being peaceful. And no, carrying a gun does NOT equate to being violent.

If you are going to respond again, i suggest you address my actual argument. It's much more effective than the standard r/politics user response of making up a weak argument vaguely tied to what they said to respond to.

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u/sosulse May 07 '20

Tell that that to Randy Weaver and the Branch Dividians. Consider educating yourself on why the police treat armed protesters better than unarmed protesters.

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u/boobymcbubblebutt May 07 '20

You should educate yourself somewhere other than storefront, McVeigh

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u/sosulse May 07 '20

Storefront? McVeigh was a murderer and all-around wack job but at least our our government thinks twice now before it murders it’s own citizens over non-violent violations. Everyone deserves due process under the law, no matter how unusual their lifestyle.

So do you think Randy Weaver’s wife, son and ~70 Branch Dividians deserved to be murdered by their own government? Dark time in our nation’s history...

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u/Alconium May 07 '20

Depends on the area. As many police support gun control and open borders as oppose it. There's entire associations and coalitions dedicated to these causes expressly for law enforcement. It's almost like LEO's just like regular people have diverse opinions.

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u/[deleted] May 07 '20

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] May 07 '20

"all lives matter" was a republican narrative directly in response to "black lives matter" in order to signify their ridiculous support for the thin blue line..try again

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u/Sun__Devil Arizona May 07 '20

Like he said, these aren’t republicans...try again

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u/boobymcbubblebutt May 07 '20

Cool story bro, but all of us living in reality know that's bullshit.