# Fucking cops... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 23, 2008, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087 "2008-11-23T08:05:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/141 "2008-11-24T16:45:17Z")
> [@catsix](#): > > If that were true, cops wouldn’t carry them because they would be ineffective. They don’t typically fire them from all the way across a bar. ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/142 "2008-11-24T16:52:59Z")
Airman, many of us here would appreciate a clarification on both how much you’d had to drink, if any, and possibly how often you carry–I’m pretty sure I read a thread where you were carrying full-time simply because it was your right to. Personally, I think you reacted acceptably. Did you have any indications that said pointer was “weapon” rather than “prank”? I’d be willing to believe there would be differences in the characteristics of the dot. It’s nice to know Diogenes is still going to make up his own definitions for words and defend them like a honeybee defends her hive for as long as he lives. Diogenes, have I mentioned you’re a fuckwit? A taser is a serious fucking weapon, they call them “less lethal” rather than “nonlethal” for a good reason. ---
**Author:** ![arseNal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@arseNal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arseNal)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/143 "2008-11-24T16:54:46Z")
> [@catsix](#): > > Despite your obvious exaggerations about rolling around and sobbing, I should think that the reaction to a blunt instrument such as a baton or nightstick being pointed from 20 or 30 feet away would be rather different than from a taser or any other weapon **capable of firing a projectile and being effective at that range**. To be fair, it seems the OP reacted to the laser dot only, not the actual taser. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/144 "2008-11-24T16:58:28Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > It’s a non-deadly “projectile,” That’s good to hear, those people who have died shortly after being tasered must just be figments of my imagination. ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/145 "2008-11-24T16:59:43Z")
> [@villa](#): > > When did I say the cop would kill you if you did that? When did I mention combat veterans? You are sooooo lucky my point was not a deadly snake, you would be dead… > [@](#): > > You sight a taser on a cop in a bar, on or off duty, and bad things will happen to you. But I am pretty sure it won’t be them “hitting the deck” for fear of sniper fire. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/146 "2008-11-24T17:02:00Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Thus there are two aspects to this story. One is the idiot cop playing around with a weapon while in a bar. This is bad, and the cop needs to be disciplined. > > The other is a person taking a loaded gun into a bar, and being so wound up by his time in Iraq that he sees deadly threats in situations the rest of us would ignore. I think this a pretty fair assessment. And if we have thousands of vets walking amidst us with such short fuses - and carrying weapons - that impresses me as yet another on the long list of reasons to be disgusted with our glorious conquest. I think it will be very sad indeed should our society get to the point where more people think “lethal threat” instead of “idiot” in a situation such as you describe. Never in the military, but did a lot of martial arts for a number of years with an emphasis on practical self defense. Had quite a nice jab in my prime, and did hundreds of hours training to throw it instinctively, but I never stuck it in anyone’s nose by mistake. Yeah, I admit, big diff between an armed vs unarmed threats. But **Airman** , you really might want to think about trying to chill out a tad. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/147 "2008-11-24T17:02:02Z")
This is one those cases where two wrongs make a gigantic wrong. The cop was stupid to point a taser at someone, AD overreacted. I see most people trying to take sides on this, but the reality is that there is no good side to take. The wrong on either side doesn’t somehow make up for the wrong in the other. AD’s overreaction doesn’t make the cop’s stunt funny, and the cop’s idiocy doesn’t make AD’s overreaction justified. The cop needs to be reported and followed through until he gets his ass handed to him in a paper bag. If his superior won’t do it, get the media involved. You will, of course, get on every black list this side of the Rio Grande. I hope you are a man of principles, for this is one of those times where convenience and morals go different ways. I wouldn’t blame you for turning your blind eye to this. I probably would. AD’s stunt was laughable. Sorry. We all do stuff like that from time to time and we need to learn to laugh at them. Unless you are telling me that he has some seriously fucked up experiences in Special Ops, a red dot in the chest says “goofball playing” not “death imminent”. Did he even saw the taser gun itself or just the dot? I seriously hope that the next time AD tells this story it is bundled with the time he burned his eyebrows on a b-day cake and the time he left the tap running and flooded the basement. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/148 "2008-11-24T17:13:18Z")
I thought you had to actually touch a person with a taser gun in order for them to have any effect. Color me educated. I’m less concerned about how much Airman had to drink (because I truly believe he’s personally responsible enough not to get intoxicated while carrying), than I am about whether he considered the fact that his weapon might have been confiscated by someone _else_ who was drunk. I know it’s concealed, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it can’t be felt if someone bumps or brushes up against you in a crowded bar. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/149 "2008-11-24T17:15:55Z")
Having one drink while carrying is irresponsible. It’s not for the drinker to judge when he is or si not intoxicated. You don’t go strapped if you’re going to drink – especially when there isn’t a single reason in the world to be carrying a gun in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/150 "2008-11-24T17:19:31Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > A nightstick is technically a “weapon” too, but it’s still ridiculous to hit the deck and roll around on the floor sobbing if somebody points a nightstick at you. I dunno, does the nightstick have a laser in it? ---
**Author:** ![diggleblop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/151 "2008-11-24T17:38:27Z")
> [@](#): > > (note: it is legal in Pennsylvania to carry a weapon in a bar) Wow, that’s a little scary. It’s legal to carry a gun in a bar where people get shitty drunk and brawls and fights happen all the time !?!? I am not doubting you, but that is one screwed up law. That’s like saying, it’s legal to cut yourself while swimming in shark infested waters. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/152 "2008-11-24T17:39:29Z")
> [@diggleblop](#): > > That’s like saying, it’s legal to cut yourself while swimming in shark infested waters. It is. ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/153 "2008-11-24T17:48:33Z")
> [@diggleblop](#): > > Wow, that’s a little scary. It’s legal to carry a gun in a bar where people get shitty drunk and brawls and fights happen all the time !?!? I am not doubting you, but that is one screwed up law. That’s like saying, it’s legal to cut yourself while swimming in shark infested waters. You know, I’m not a regular, but I have spent several weekend nights at bars. I have NEVER seen a fight. Ever. Bars are not clubs, and in PA, given who the OP is, I’m willing to bet it was more what is called a “club”. On most nights I have been at our local Fireman’s Club you would be lucky to have enough folks to field a softball team. That being said, I will say I’m glad he spoke to the chief about it. sidenote: I’m not a combat veteran, have never really been in a firefight, and I react the same way when I get hit with a laser pointer. Last time it happened I was walking with one of my kids in a parking lot. I saw the dot, stepped in front of my child and started scannign the parking lot for the “shooter”, preparing to dive on top of my kid if it was on an actual firearm. Some people (my, for one) just think that way, military or not. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/154 "2008-11-24T18:24:32Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Oh, please. I was in the military. I was not trained to dive on the floor like a hysterical little girl just because somebody pointed a light at me in a bar. Where you ever on deployment? Another difference is that I’ve never known **Airman** to be an asshole. You, on the other hand… I don’t know jackshit about guns, or tasers, but I DO know **Airman** , from this board, and having met him on at least one occassion, and I do believe he’s a decent, responsible individual. He doesn’t strike me as being like a “hysterical little girl.” Or a judgmental, immature twat. (Gotta stick up for a fellow Yinzer and Stillers’ fan.) ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/155 "2008-11-24T18:28:44Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Where you ever on deployment? I was, ARMY, 82nd Airborne, Combat, Iraq, and I agree with Dio. I do wish he would drop the whole weapon vs. non weapon thing it just confuses the issue… ---
**Author:** ![Fantome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Fantome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fantome)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/156 "2008-11-24T18:35:41Z")
> [@Tristan](#): > > You know, I’m not a regular, but I have spent several weekend nights at bars. > > I have NEVER seen a fight. Ever. Irrelevant. There are some bars that rarely have a fight, others where fights are a nightly occurrence. > [@Tristan](#): > > Bars are not clubs, and in PA, given who the OP is, I’m willing to bet it was more what is called a “club”. So what if bars are not clubs? What point are you trying to make? Who is the OP that you believe he was more likely in a club? He said in the OP, _“So here I was in my local bar. I’m talking with a bunch of my friends.”_ > [@Tristan](#): > > On most nights I have been at our local Fireman’s Club you would be lucky to have enough folks to field a softball team. Okay. 😕 > [@Tristan](#): > > sidenote: I’m not a combat veteran, have never really been in a firefight, and I react the same way when I get hit with a laser pointer. Last time it happened I was walking with one of my kids in a parking lot. I saw the dot, stepped in front of my child and started scannign the parking lot for the “shooter”, preparing to dive on top of my kid if it was on an actual firearm. Some people (my, for one) just think that way, military or not. You saw the dot and only prepared to dive. I’m assuming that’s because while scanning the parking lot and not your and kid’s body for the presence of a red dot you were looking for a weapon. That’s not reacting the same as the OP. You were also not in a close quarters situation, which acting the way **x-ray vision** recommended in his last post makes more sense from a safety standpoint. ---
**Author:** ![FallenAngel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@FallenAngel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FallenAngel)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/157 "2008-11-24T18:45:07Z")
**Airman** , good for you for reporting it. Make sure to follow up so it doesn’t get forgotten. Also, kudos on your restraint and responsiveness. For background, I’m not ex-military but I do have personal protection and bodyguard training, most of which was completed in the later 80s, when laser sights were becoming trendy. FF to about 10 years ago, just when those damn pointers were becoming widely available. I’d never seen one outside of a presentation, and didn’t know that the price had dropped/distribution had increased, etc. I was walking from my apartment to my car when I saw the red dot zipping across the pavement in my direction. I jumped behind the nearest car, drew my pistol and followed the direction up to another apartment’s balcony to see some dumbassed 12-13 year old kid giggling and waving. I holstered my pistol, stormed up to the apartment, knocked on the door and explained politely but clearly to the mother, after all she wasn’t the one who played the stupid prank so there was no cause to yell at her, why it was such a bad idea for her kid to do that kind of thing. She got right on board, hauled the kid out, made him apologize and gave me the pointer. I still have it and use it in presentations to this day. ---
**Author:** ![Fantome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Fantome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fantome)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/158 "2008-11-24T18:53:22Z")
> [@FallenAngel](#): > > Also, kudos on your restraint and responsiveness. You’re at least the second person to congratulate him on his restraint. How does not escalating the situation further by drawing a weapon deserved of kudos when he realized it was a joke? > [@FallenAngel](#): > > I was walking from my apartment to my car when I saw the red dot zipping across the pavement in my direction. I jumped behind the nearest car, drew my pistol and followed the direction up to another apartment’s balcony to see some dumbassed 12-13 year old kid giggling and waving. You mean it wasn’t a sniper? You’re lucky; it’s usually a sniper. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/159 "2008-11-24T18:57:10Z")
I can’t get on board with the overreaction sentiment. Survival instinct is a _good_ thing. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087/160 "2008-11-24T19:05:00Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > That’s good to hear, those people who have died shortly after being tasered must just be figments of my imagination. Unless something changed in the [past two years](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=7970836&highlight=taser#post7970836), anyone who died after being tasered likely had an underlying medical condition and was not directly killed by the taser itself. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-cops/474087.md?page=9)