Colorado’s ‘hero’ killing illustrates problems police face in regulating concealed firearms
Police say that John Hurley, 40, confronted Ronald Troyke after he fatally shot Officer Gordon Beesley in the western Denver suburb of Arvada. Investigators recovered a document written by Troyke with statements revealing intent to kill police officers, including, “Today I will kill as many Arvada officers as possible.”
In a letter giving their decision, prosecutors said that although Brownlow’s actions were “by no means heroic,” the facts from Hurley’s perspective suggest that he did not know or did not may know of the officer’s death or of Hurley’s “role” of removal. threat” posed by Troyke.
The case highlights how the law allows those who legally own firearms to openly in public or carry them concealed, posing an increased risk to public safety.
“If there’s some kind of weapon, not just a gun, in someone’s hand when we’re reacting in a situation like an active shooter or an attack in progress… officers… there’s added pressure on (them) to rate a lot of Thor Eells, executive director of the National Tactical Officers Association, said.
“Now as a responder, I have to be very fast, and when I say fast: seconds, milliseconds; define in your head, is this friend or foe,” he said.
And it also demonstrates how nearly impossible it is for an officer to clearly distinguish between a gunman in an ongoing shooting situation while identifying a threat, said Warren Eller, head of management. from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
“If you pull out a gun or concealed weapon in the middle of an active situation, you’re taking on a whole new level of risk,” says Eller. “There’s no way in that situation the police can tell the difference, unless there’s some contact or unless the police can clearly see what’s going on.”
Eller said the latest nationwide movement in gun legislation is the controversial “constitutional carry” or no-holds-barred carry law that allows people to carry handguns in public without a permit or permit. .
States that require a firearm license often have an educational component that allows gun bearers to comply with a minimum of some training and state laws. Countries that carry a constitution or openly do not usually require people to carry guns in public.
“This is not the best policy, so in large part that is because education often comes with a license,” says Eller. “Then you’re exposed to the law and the risks you’re taking to be extremely important for a gun-bearer in society to have.”
Expert says: Expanding can turn a stressful situation into a deadly one
If the lawsuit brought by a branch of the National Rifle Association succeeds, the conservative court would allow more guns to be carried openly in the nation’s largest city and could overturn the law. nationwide, including those in Massachusetts and California. Current New York state law requires people to present “good cause” before receiving a permit.
In an interview with CNN’s Jim Sciutto earlier this month, NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said he was worried about the outcome of the Supreme Court case.
“We have some very strict gun laws here,” Shea said. “You know, we tend to think we’re very progressive in the way we police, how we reform and how we keep New Yorkers safe. And this particular decision, you you know, make us nervous if it goes the wrong way.”
Lars Dalseide, a spokesman for the NRA, told CNN there are many good examples where law-abiding gun owners “helped end threats of violence before law enforcement arrived.” the scene, thereby saving many lives.”
“There are also countless subordinate cases where a good Samaritan with a gun saved lives,” says Dalseide.
Rittenhouse’s defense argued that Rosenbaum threatened and fired him, which prompted him to fear for his life and act in self-defence. Rittenhouse also shot at three other people, all of whom his attorney argued attacked him.
According to Andrew Karwoski, policy expert at Everytown for Gun, if an individual is seen carrying a gun at a protest or a store is open carrying it, there’s little law enforcement can do about it. unless the person is acting in an illegal way. Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country.
“One of the reasons that open carry is so dangerous is because it is so difficult to execute,” Karwoski said. “It’s hard for law enforcement when they see someone walking down the street with a military-style assault weapon to understand their intentions and react accordingly.”
Shannon Watts, founder of Mothers Action, said the nation’s relaxed gun laws have created an environment where “everyone is supposed to be armed”.
“The consequences we’re seeing in real life are the logical outcomes of guns for everyone, anywhere, no question asked,” Watts added, referring to the agenda. The NRA’s “guns everywhere” initiative aims to expand gun rights nationwide.
According to an Everytown survey, 88% of Americans think individuals should get a permit before carrying a concealed firearm in public. According to tow Everytown, carrying a handgun in public is legal in all 50 states.
In more than 40 states, people can carry a loaded semi-automatic rifle in public without a license or training. Five states, including California and the District of Columbia, ban the carrying of loaded shotguns, while only Massachusetts, Minnesota and New Jersey require a license to carry a shotgun openly, according to Everytown.
The law applies to Texans age 21 and older and excludes those who are legally prohibited from possessing a firearm, such as those convicted of a felony, assault, domestic violence, or terrorist threat.
Texas, along with several other conservative states — such as Iowa, Tennessee, Montana, Utah and Wyoming — passed legislation this year allowing some forms of unauthorized carry-on as President Joe Biden pushes ahead with the actions. Law enforcement action to address gun violence following a number of high profile mass shootings. NS
“We know from our research that guns that are visible are more likely to cause people to act aggressively,” Watts said.
Earlier this year, Texas law enforcement officials held a press conference in Austin to protest the legislation, arguing that it made their jobs more dangerous. “Gun owners have an obligation to ensure that their firearm is handled safely and an obligation to know applicable laws,” Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia said at a news conference.
Armed civilians complicate active shootings
On June 21, Troyke fatally shot Officer Beesley in an alleyway near Arvada’s Olde Town Square before returning to his truck to retrieve an AR-15 and then starting his way towards the square. .
Three Arvada officers, including Brownlow, are working as part of the police department’s Community Outreach and Enforcement (CORE) unit, which works with an unauthorized community in the area, when they heard “three loud bangs or bangs,” according to King’s letter.
The suspect, later identified as Troyke, was carrying “a black carbine-style AR15 rifle with a long magazine, dressed in black, wearing an old-fashioned ski mask and black floppy hat,” according to the letter. King.
Officers dispersed to different sections of the office building and Brownlow stood at the building’s east door with his weapon drawn, pointing to the window as he watched Troyke walk away holding his rifle. himself “up and with the butt of a gun,” King’s letter read. .
Hurley confronted the gunman in the square and shot him dead with a shotgun, according to a police statement. Meanwhile, Brownlow lost track of the suspect and then heard a third gunshot but could not see him or any other individuals firing the weapon. The letter read: “Suddenly, a man in a red shirt holding a rifle and a handgun – later identified as Hurley – entered Brownlow’s field of view and appeared to be loading the rifle. or try to fix something while upgrading your pistol.
Then Brownlow took the opportunity to shoot him, King said. Her letter determined that the presence of a mass gunman and the possibility of a second in the city’s square “ensure lethal force and to a lesser extent eliminate the threat.” potential threat”.
You’re going to have a complicated response,” says Watts of Everytown.
Eells, of the National Association of Tactical Officers, says officers responding to situations where someone armed has to process a lot of information in seconds or less.
Eells said officers have a list of considerations for whether to use force, including the person’s tone of voice, body language, whether a weapon is being pointed at and distance from the person. .
The association trains officers to act to protect lives, Eells said, and the safety of those most at risk with their lowest ability to control safety – hostages or bystanders – is paramount. top first.
“We put them first, work our way,” he said.
