Reply #22: I wonder if air marshalls are trained in dealing with the mentally ill

[Jim__]

It does seem like a civilized nation ought to give some consideration to the fact that in protecting ourselves from mass murderers, we should not accept a high probability that we will kill people who present no real threat. The latest things I've read on the air marshall shooting on the plane indicate that they've now backed off that this man ever actually claimed to have a bomb; but rather they shot him because he was "acting like" he had a bomb - whatever the hell that might mean.

The history of suicide bombers does not lead us to expect that they will run up and down the aisle of the airplane, "acting like" they have a bomb. So, maybe this is not the type of behavior that air marshalls should be looking for, or that should trigger a "shoot to kill" response from them.

My belief is that these marshalls probably acted within the guidelines that they have been given. If so, I think that we, as a society, should fight to change those guidelines. We should also ask that law enforcement officials, especially those who are trained to respond with deadly force, be given some training in recognizing behavior that indicates a mental or emotional illness.