RW> CH> the gang has a chance to take over?  The task force could organize 
RW> CH> and inform the citizens while taking police action to discourage
the
RW> CH> gang members.
RW> 
RW> RB> So, basically, the police would just be another gang,
RW> RB> starting things out with  an adversarial, aggressive
RW> RB> attitude? Sounds horrible, but *very* feasible. 
RW> 
RW> My suggestion would be allowing every adult in the area
RW> to carry a concealed weapon.  Let the gang know that
RW> they are in danger if the try to commit a crime.
RT> The major problem that I see with that is that is that most
RT> crimes committed those areas are property crimes which do
RT> not carry a death penalty.  This means that in order for the
If the cops have problems getting LACs to testify
against a gang member I don't think they would get many
to testify FOR one.  Also if you ask several people who
have used a firearm to prevent a crime you will find
that in almost every instance the weapon is never
fired.  The fear of being shot is enough to change a
criminal's mind.  Now if the criminals don't know who
might be armed it makes their job a lot harder and
possibly more dangerous.
RT> citizen to act with the possibility of deadly force, he/she
RT> must feel that their life (or a third party's) are in
RT> immediate danger of loss or serious bodily harm.  As far as
RT> I know, the only other times a citizen may shoot is to
RT> prevent a rape or arson of an occupied building.  A citizen
In most places (where CCWs are allowed) a person is
allowed to use deadly force when they are in FEAR of
death or grievous bodily harm.  IOW, if someone
approaches you and says something to the effect of
"Give me your money or we're going to kick your a$$."
you could reasonably be afraid and use deadly force.
BTW, I think in Louisiana you can use deadly force
against a car jacker.
RT> cannot shoot someone for resisting arrest.   The bottom line
RT> is that unless it falls into a legal shooting situation,
RT> carrying a gun is a rather empty threat. 
No it isn't.  I have know several people who have used
weapons (handguns, long guns, a baseball bat and in one
case a golf club) to prevent crimes where the use of
deadly force would not have been legal.  In each case
the weapon was NOT used just "shown".
RT> Of course, one could attempt to stop the goblins as a normal
RT> citizen should and then when they threatened you, it could
RT> very well be, "Katy, bar the door...."   :^)
Which usually happens when you tell a criminal that you
are not going to allow him to take what you have.
                      Remember:  Freedom isn't Free!
--- timEd-B11
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