Tuesday, January 5, 2021

That no Charges Were Filed Underscores the Need to Change the Law

    This underscores the need to correct our laws. No charges will be filled in the August shooting of Jacob Blake. In the video, Blake is shown walking around the front of his car, tailed by police. As he reaches his car door and gets in, an officer shoots him.

   Officers say they believed he was reaching for a weapon, perhaps a knife. 

   I do not say officers should not protect themselves, should not shoot when necessary. But, I don't believe that point in the confrontation had been reached. If it is a weapon Blake is going for, wait till he has it in his hand before you shoot. You have your gun pointed at him, you are ready to shoot an instant notice. Why shoot before you know whether he even has a weapon? And, if it is a knife he is going for, all the more reason to wait to ensure that he is, indeed, fetching a weapon. As soon as his fingers touch the weapon, shoot. But, not until.

   If our laws should be corrected, so while they still allow you to defend yourself, they do not allow for those such as Blake to be killed prematurely.  

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