Topic: Police and Lethal Force
Every so often people get all upset at police when they kill an armed man.
"Why did they not shoot the weapon from his hand"
"He only had a knife, why did they shoot to kill?"
"Police should be trained to shoot legs and arms and not take a life"
While this is not in response to a particular incident, I try to keep people on the right track.
Let me be brutal here. I have suffered a gun shot wound (two hits to be precise, plus shrapnel).
I was fully functional despite the trauma to my right shoulder.
I have suffered muscle injuries to my calves and feet also with a big fall off a rope in the army.
I could function albiet with pain (this issue is a longterm one with periodic chronic pain issues)
I can also kill a man at 20 feet with a proper throwing weapon before he can finish blinking. Thank forestry classes for that one 
A cop has but one life to live, and he considers his life precious. While you may not, you must consider his feelings in the matter.
A suspect with a weapon will not be neccessarily standing still, and a shot to a weapon that misses guarantees (in all cop minds) use of the weapon. A moving weapon is something only the top 1% can possibly reliably hit, and even then, a 5% chance to miss is a 5% chance an innocent or a cop dies.
Police aim center of mass for the same reason soldiers do. Center mass is easier to hit, usually results in a hit that will disable (gut shot, very painful) or terminate the opponent, and can also (mattering on caliber) toss the enemy back (ruining a potential last shot by them).
Asking or, worse, requiring them to try for disabling shots can and will get people killed.
So the next time you see a report of a police shooting, do not be outraged by the standards allowing the police to shoot.
Oh and police emptying magazines.
I was hit center of mass, in my shoulder. I have heard of soldiers with ten plus chest wounds laying down fire. When you get in a shooting match you do not take a chance. You put your lead downfield until your 100% sure the enemy is dead. Any exceptions means you can die.
When I hear of ten officers emptying a magazine I have no issues. If they empty two magazines I have few worries. A firefight is an issue of life and death, and I will default to acknowledge survival rights to the officers.
Kemp currently not being responded to until he makes CONCISE posts.
Avogardo and Noir ignored by me for life so people know why I do not respond to them. (Informational)
