California Police Chief: 'A Gun Is Not a Defensive Weapon -- That Is a Myth

Earlier this month, Emeryville, Calif. Police Chief Ken James argued that a gun is not a "defensive weapon" but rather an "offensive weapon used to intimidate and used to show power."

“One issue that always boggles my mind is that the idea that a gun is a defensive weapon,” he said. “That is a myth. A gun is not a defensive weapon.”

He was speaking during a press conference promoting strict gun laws in California. James is also the chairman of the Police Chief Association’s Firearms Committee.

“A gun is an offensive weapon used to intimidate and show power," James added. "Police officers don't carry a gun as a defensive weapon to defend themselves or their other officers. They carry a gun to be able to do their job in a safe and effective manner and face any oppositions we may come upon."

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He went on: "If it was a defensive measure, why did we lose 55 officers nationwide last year to gun violence? And unfortunately, in just the two months of this year so far, we have lost two officers to gun violence in the state of California alone…We are asking and have been asking for reasonable regulations, not that are going to impact the legal gun owner."

Those reasonable regulations include a ban on semi-automatic rifles, high capacity magazines and universal background checks. Lawmakers in California -- and now Missouri -- have also proposed legislation that includes potential confiscation of semi-automatic rifles.

Do you agree that a gun is not a "defensive" weapon?

(H/T: Washington Examiner)