“Patrick Lynch proposes New York City police officers be armed with long guns in light of the swelling number of active shooter incidents and the recent wave of assassinations of police officers,” ex-NYPD Tactical Training Unit Coordinator Daniel Modell [above] writes at nydailynews.com. “The phenomena do indeed speak to deep dysfunctions underwriting the culture. Nevertheless, I disagree with the proposal.” But not for the reasons you might expect . . .
What difference would long guns have made in any of the assassinations that Lynch (justifiably) worries about? If Detectives Liu and Ramos had a shotgun in the trunk of their vehicle, or closer, would it have altered the tactical dynamics? They were ambushed — never saw the attack coming — by a coward who meant to assassinate them. No piece of equipment could change that volatile mix.
I appreciate the importance of the 2104 ambush attack in The Big Apple. But the move to arm New York Finest with AR-15’s is a response to the Orlando, Dallas and Baton Rouge attacks is an entirely different kettle of fish.
In The Pulse nightclub massacre, the shooter used a SIG SAUER MCX to murder 49 people and wound (some grievously and permanently) 53 others. The off-duty police officer providing security was carrying a handgun. As were the two responding officers first on the scene. All three felt outgunned and fled.
In Dallas and Baton Rouge, the officers who initially engaged the rifle-wielding shooters were equipped with handguns. In all three cases, officers with long guns eventually eliminated the threat. (In Dallas, rifle-equipped SWAT team pinned down the shooter for their terminal roboticide).
Officer Modell’s assertion that police officers don’t need immediate access to a rifle when confronting a well-armed criminal, crazy or terrorist — because other cops are minutes away — is badly and sadly mistaken. Like this:
What of the active shooter? Generally, they are awkward, bullied sociopaths who target the unarmed and defenseless like the cowards they are. They certainly are not tactically ferocious warriors. When confronted, they fold or kill themselves.
Officers have proved virtually without exception that they are, in fact, more than a match for these killers. They have what these killers invariably lack: heart. That and a 9-mm. more than suffices.
I’m not a police officer (did some reserve duty in New Mexico), but I’m shocked by this editorial. Officer Morell’s unjustifiable bravado and tactical naiveté is deeply disturbing.
The only question here should be whether or not (and which) New York City police officers should patrol with rifles and if so, which firearms (short-barreled and/or full-size ARs)? Well that and when will New York City residents’ gun rights be restored?