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Originally Posted by dksuddeth
Carrrying a gun as a self defense tool does not equal living in fear. If it were that way, what does that say about every policeman out there?
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Apples and oranges. The police are empowered by the people to uphold the law. This is a profession which puts them in a position where they're far more likely to face violence. Having the proper tools to counteract that threat is an essential part of their trade.
Anyone who has ever watched COPS should know that the police enter into high-risk and potentially dangerous situations on a daily basis. Their job is to confront felons. Felons can be far more dangerous than the general population. That the officers of the law have a firearm strapped to their hip acts as a deterrent and also provides them with the means to apply necessary force in the unlikely and unhappy circumstance when it is called for.
I, on the other hand, do not confront felons as part of my job. I do not intentionally put myself in potentially life-threatening situations to uphold the values of the society of which I am a part. I have no need for a weapon.
Cops carry guns because the likelihood of them needing to have and use a gun is relatively high when compared with the rest of us. Frankly, I'd be happier if they didn't have to, but one could argue that if they didn't their role would be redundant anyway.