http://news.msn.com/crime-justice/calif-sheriffs-deputies-shoot-kill-13-year-old
California banned the open carry of long guns last year. Prior to that, it was legal and possible for law abiding citizens to open carry long guns.
Now that its illegal, in a cops eye and mind, only a criminal would open carry.
So a cop is driving down the street and he sees a child carrying what appears to be a long gun and he automatically thinks "dangerous criminal".
Cop shoots and kills kid.
In my opinion, if open carry was still legal in California it would have at least given the cop a possibility that this person wasn't breaking any law and should approach with an open mind.
Also, since previously in California open carry was only legal if the gun was unloaded, the police had good reason to believe the gun wasn't an immediate threat.
Since unloaded open carry was banned, the officer had to think this gun was loaded and carried by a criminal.
California banned the open carry of long guns last year. Prior to that, it was legal and possible for law abiding citizens to open carry long guns.
Now that its illegal, in a cops eye and mind, only a criminal would open carry.
So a cop is driving down the street and he sees a child carrying what appears to be a long gun and he automatically thinks "dangerous criminal".
Cop shoots and kills kid.
In my opinion, if open carry was still legal in California it would have at least given the cop a possibility that this person wasn't breaking any law and should approach with an open mind.
Also, since previously in California open carry was only legal if the gun was unloaded, the police had good reason to believe the gun wasn't an immediate threat.
Since unloaded open carry was banned, the officer had to think this gun was loaded and carried by a criminal.