04Aug05

This is from a female colleague who is Special Agent in Charge of a metropolitan office of a large state agency. She has never owned a uniform . She and her agents operate undercover exclusively.

"'Concealment' is a state of mind. Our agents (fema le and male) routinely work in places where their health is in jeopardy. All conceal a wallet/shield case, a SIG P239, at least one extra magazine, a set of handcu ffs, a flashlight, and an OC bottle on a regular basis. Many are subject to a cur sory pat-down before entering bars, clubs, etc. When our agents go into a particularly risky place, they may be armed only with their pistol, normally concealed in an 'unconventional' place. I'd rather be uncomfortable th an unarmed!

I routinely carry in my (cowboy) boot. After hundreds of pat-downs, my pistol has never been discovered there. To be sure, I'm slower on the draw from my boot then from a strong-side, hip holster, but I give a little to get a little.

We know our agents are successful at concealing firearms and other equipmen t when suspects look at us and say, ' I know you're not cops!=80 "

Comment: Concealment is indeed a "state of mind."

/John

06Aug05

Good News (for a change) from the Supreme Court:

In the latest in a series of decisions confirming the non-existence government's obligation to provide protection for citizens, the Supr emes, in the Castle Rock v Gonzales Case, have reaffirmed that US citizens have no right to expect any level of police protection, even when a restraining order is in place.

Good news? Yes, at least from the standpoint that the stale "You d on't need guns, because the police will protect you" argument has now bee n irreversibly discredited. The Court has proclaimed that no unit of governm ent is obligated to so much as lift a finger to help you, or anyone else, even in an emergency. The Court has, in effect, said to us all, "You'r e on your own!"

Of course, the smart among us have always known that, and have prepared accordingly. Now, even naive grasseaters will have to face facts.

/John