This is truly frightening. A tiny (additional) mistake by anyone would have cost lives.
There will be many people defending the right to bear arms. But seeing this from another country and cultural background just makes you shake your head in disbelief. If police officers think they have to be that overly aggressive and cautious because of the general prevalence of guns, then maybe it would be a good thing to reduce it.
I understand though that once there are so many guns out there it is hard to reduce the number.
EDIT: There are more aspects to this, of course. Including better training for police officers etc.
My expectation of myself is that I change my beliefs if (new) evidence suggests that I should.
How would that trend (...and I assume you are right...) disprove the hypothesis that the prevalence of guns has something to do with the reported problems (excessive police violence / aggression / for the lack of better terms)?
There will be many people defending the right to bear arms. But seeing this from another country and cultural background just makes you shake your head in disbelief. If police officers think they have to be that overly aggressive and cautious because of the general prevalence of guns, then maybe it would be a good thing to reduce it.
I understand though that once there are so many guns out there it is hard to reduce the number.
EDIT: There are more aspects to this, of course. Including better training for police officers etc.