Reply #46: There is one fatal flaw in your argument...

[Solon]

The fact of the matter is this, the National Guard are NOT law enforcement, they are not trained to operate in that capacity, and they are FORBIDDEN by federal law to act in that capacity.

Also, while you say this:

i don't believe law enforcement needs to be required to get on top of somebody with a microscope to check out what's in their hands

I will say, no they do NOT have to do what you said, exactly, instead law enforcement are to ONLY use deadly force(firearms), when either themselves or someone else is under an imminent threat of life. This is considered a judgement call, based on their training, and when a shooting occurs, and investigation is then launched to see if the officer in question actually did use their best judgement.

I've seen training simulations for police officers that involved ashmatics pulling out their medicine, deaf people pulling out IDs, etc. that all are designed to train officers to know when it is appropriate to pull and fire their weapon. I strongly doubt the National Guard go through such vigorous training. THAT is the problem.

I'm sure many Guardsmen, even the one involved in this shooting, are decent people, however, they are simply out of their depth. To be frank about it, they shouldn't be allowed to even serve in this capacity. It would be better if actual law enforcement could take over entirely, either the FBI, or other federal agencies, should be providing the support for the NOLA police department, not the National Guard.