“None of this means that police officers who use deadly force should get a pass. But it’s a reminder that chalking up such shootings simply to overly aggressive police doesn’t tell the whole story. America is the most heavily armed country in the developed world. Our toxic gun culture and permissive gun laws are crucial factors in the ongoing militarization of America’s police departments. But in a nation seemingly inured to the constant tragedy of senseless gun violence, that is barely part of the conversation.” – Michael A. Cohen, US gun culture has police arming to keep up [via bostonglobe.com] [h/t SS]