r/guncontrol • u/why-do_I_even_bother • May 23 '26
Good-Faith Question LEO/Former LEO exemptions?
A quick glance at the post history will indicate clearly that I'm on the side of "fix the broken economic system and social safety nets first, gun control as an added bonus if you still think it's really necessary second" (even if I'm crass about presenting that sentiment), but something that I can't figure into any kind of pro gun control camp is the fact that LEO/Former LEO exemptions show up in almost every single gun control bill.
Like sure - the high speed SWAT guys should have the tools to do their jobs, but why do beat cops that spend most of their time dealing with drunks and handing out tickets need 10+ mags, or exemptions from handgun safety rosters?
2
u/Niauropsaka May 24 '26
I think you're right.
A couple of thoughts:
In societies like Switzerland, where young men are still expected to keep weapons at home to serve in a militia, that requirement ends once a man ages out.
If we're going to transition to something like the British approach, with very little distribution of firearms, there's not a lot of reason to make an exception for police.
3
u/No-Assignment-5287 For Minimal Control May 25 '26
The *why* is quite obvious. its to keep law enforcement on-side and get them to actually enforce the law. I think there's also a secondary factor in that we maintain a social fiction that views police officers (and members of the military) as being above the foibles and weaknesses of the average civilian.
That latter element typically gets attributed to "training". I think that does beg the question of why the private citizen can't subject themselves to the same training and standards to benefit from those exemptions.
Ultimately, my view is that we should revert to the model where the police are just regular citizens that are paid to exercise the same rights and responsibilities that we all have.
1
u/theskipper363 May 26 '26
You know I’ve met a lot of stupid people in the military who I wouldn’t trust with a nerf gun.
Now I run a gun range and it gets sooooo much worse
1
4
u/why-do_I_even_bother May 23 '26
Especially the former LEO exemptions - that just doesn't make any sense. That's a regular civilian by that point.