[cold1]

Originally Posted by mcarey

This comment by your LEO friends is tyical of an woefully under-trained and funded domestic law enforcement. What is the difference?! Either the person carrying has the skill to use the tool (knife or gun)+ the intent to break the law; OR NOT! The threat is no more or less greater with an unknown opponent with a different type of weapon.

I agree. from what I can understand most of the bias regarding auto openers is left over from the time when they were the prefered weapons of gangs. The knives now have a stigma to them, kinda like tattoos. If you have one then you are predesposed to being a criminal.

A knife (and a gun), no matter its type, is as dangerous as the intent and skill of the user. Recognizing intent, mentation of opponent and situational awareness, along with proper training, tactics and procedures should put any LEO in the best position to protect self and public. It also puts the law abiding armed citizen in the best position to protect self, family and property.

I agree but does the jury see it that way. Most people today were raised in an era where the only time they used a knife was to open those damned plastic packages that their new toys came in. They do not use them daily or see a need for them. The only frame of reference they have for the use of knives, outside of that scope, was what they saw in slasher movies. Therefore knives are bad. The same goes for firearms.

What is going to happen when the newest zero tolerance generation become old enough to be jury members? Even in the "country" schools here, common sense is disappearing when it comes to zero tolerance. It has even worked its way down to some day cares and preschools.

Any good defense lawyer should be able to defend lawful actions if the bearer of arms has followed the law and used sound judgement in dealing with a threat (wounding or killing in self-defense). (IE. If your state does not allow auto-openers, then don't carry one, become skilled with another form of blade and work to change the law if so inclined!)

Just my thoughts

Here is the key word, "good". Not everybody is OJ and not everybody has his money.