Edged weapons and officer response time

Submitted by Don (United States), Feb 5, 2015 at 18:28

I would only add that trained, street wise police with holstered guns are just as vulnerable to edged weapons in surprise attacks. Basically the research shows if the suspect starts the knife attack within twenty feet of the police officer the officer will not successfully draw his weapon in time to shoot the attacker. If there are two officers at least one can grapple with the attacker while the other officer draws his loaded weapon. Truly, the French are just doing security theatre like most everyone else, only more absurdly than usual with unloaded weapons.

But then again, the French have a need for the absurd. It will keep the honest people honest and get them killed by the dishonest because the state doesn't want to give up it's monopoly on the legitimate use of armed violence to law abiding citizens.

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