Watched: Police are stockpiling databases with personal information

Re:Watched: Police are stockpiling databases with personal i... by spdustin on Tuesday September 13, 2016 @02:52PM (#12491159)

I didn't say anything about presuming guilt. More like a law enforcement officer having increased situational awareness when responding to a call of a violent crime. Nor did I say anything about a cop taking anyone's guns. They have no right to, unless of course they were illegally acquired, or the owner isn't licensed to carry one.

As it stands now, I believe a law enforcement officer can discern if you have a FOID card in the US, which may set the expectation that you are armed to the teeth, while a purchase database might show that you purchased a non-functional collector piece. I'd think that information would improve their situational awareness and make their approach more context-appropriate.

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Re:Watched: Police are stockpiling databases with personal i... by wyager on Tuesday September 13, 2016 @02:59PM (#12491220)

>More like a law enforcement officer having increased situational awareness

I.e. more likely to shoot you? Many people have irrational responses to knowing that someone has a gun, police officers included.

>Nor did I say anything about a cop taking anyone's guns.

I assumed you were referring to the number of recent proposals to allow for the "temporary confiscation" of guns from people accused (but not convicted) of domestic violence.

>I'd think that information would improve their situational awareness and make their approach more context-appropriate.

Why would you think that? What would be more context-appropriate?

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