Should a reduction of police funding depend on gun law reform.

[janterry]

About 30% of all Americans own a gun. It seems to me that reducing the police (via some defunding) should also come with a reduction of fire arms (especially hand guns).

I am all for having a police force that is less armed and more proactive. However, I want that to come with gun law reform.

[jimfields33]

1. Hand guns?

I’m not sure that would be popular anywhere. Semi-auto machine guns and others like that is what they will go with.

[janterry]

4. Here in my little town

people were saying that instead of police being called out to deal with domestic 'arguments' (that's what they called it), we should send in social workers.

I am a social worker.

I am also not stupid, lol. (As in, don't send me!)

A few years ago when we lived in a city down south (Tallahassee, FL), in our neighborhood a neighbor walked next door because he heard a domestic argument.

The abusive boyfriend shot and killed the man who wanted to help.

We're such a convoluted (my opinion) country. I'd love the police to not even carry guns, frankly. But our citizenry is often armed.

[sarisataka]

8. That is what I have seen in

Proposals made here as well.

In the case of a domestic violence call, social workers (you) will be called first and sent to the scene without police to calm the situation. If you are unable to calm it, then you would call for police support, unless they have been abolished.

If there are no police no would call a community response team. This group, likely unarmed, will gather in whatever organization is established and join you. Once there they will do something. Sorry to be so vague but details in the various proposals have not really spelled out what the post-police world will look like. It seems to be assumed that with better social programs, most crime will disappear.

[janterry]

11. that's insane

I've worked everywhere (prisons, outpatient, kids services, inpatient).

You couldn't pay me enough to do that job (and they never pay social workers enough to begin with).

Not only that, it's not safe for the woman. (After I leave, he does WHAT? He's all calm now and not upset that he had to be 'calmed down' by me?)

Nope.

[sarisataka]

13. I agree

There is a lot of 'unicorns and rainbows' thinking going around.

Most if not all defund the police threads have said police would not respond to non-violent calls. Several have specifically stated domestic calls should not have a police response as that tends to escalate the problem.

Kudos for being a social worker. My wife studied for two years towards a social work degree. As she learned what the job was really like, she decided it was not for her. She gets too involved personally.

[PTWB]

10. Have you seen the stats on handgun murders vs rifle (including AR) murders?

[hack89]

2. You will not see major gun control legislation for the foreseeable future.

The Dems want to win and hold the Senate. Too many red/purple states we have to win in to make gun control an issue.

[janterry]

5. Damn shame

n/t

[hack89]

12. The Senate is where gun control legislation goes to die, unfortunately

regardless of which party is in power. The post-Sandy Hook AWB debacle is a classic example.

[Dial H For Hero]

7. I agree. Universal background checks *might* get passed, but a new assault weapons ban or a ban on

high capacity magazines? No way, no how.

[MicaelS]

3. No.

Two unrelated subjects. Reforming police will be hard enough without add gun control.

I can see the headlines now:

"Dems want anarchy. Want to disarm police AND civilians."

[janterry]

6. you don't mean to imply that's anarchy

I assume. Just a possible headline

[sarisataka]

9. That is how it would be framed

By Republicans except more inflammatory:

"Democrats want to abolish police and take away your right to self-defense"