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JD: We've batted it back-n-forth before, and whether you care or not, you have my respect as a former LE and current builder of high-quality shotguns. You seem like a decent enough guy and I have no reason to believe otherwise. The difficulty I see with much of what you tend to write on this subject is that you yourself seem incapable of seeing anything but your narrow point of view.
Your experience is all well and good and respected, but the attitude of "just trust me, 'cuz I know ..." (as though anyone disagreeing or debating the actual merits is somehow unworthy of your time/consideration) really comes off as just a bunch of self-aggrandizing posturing. I find it difficult to believe that you actively want to come off as pompous and unprofessional, so I have to consider that you just aren't aware of how it comes across.
For my part, I have to admit I have never been an LE nor have I served in the military. I do however come from a family which is absolutely teeming with all manner of LE and military at almost every possible rank and level you'd be likely to think of. That's not even close to an exaggeration, by the way. My circle of friends and family includes current/former SWAT cops, HRT and SERT team members, Navy SEALs, SeaBees, Marines, National Guardsman, bona-fide TLA types serving covertly, Army Rangers ... take your pick.
In my own ignorance I tend to lean on their advice quite heavily on matters of weapons and tactics.
I've asked most of them at one time or another about how I should load an shotgun for HD purposes, and not one of them has ever even hinted at bean-bags or rubber shot ... not one. On the few occasions I've suggested it, I've universally gotten the "are you a complete idiot" look, or an extended lecture amounting to the same thing. In the process, I've unintentionally learned quite a bit about how less-lethal shotgun techniques are used and why. In my home I'm not on riot duty or crowd control, so those notions really don't apply.
Now, you may have access to specialized knowledge unavailable to the vast array of LE and military folks I've spoken to. You may be the world's greatest shotgunner ever, and the smartest tactician and legal expert on the use of force in existence, but nothing in your bearing really supports this notion other than your continued assertion that you are THE expert in all such matters.
You can see why I might tend to discount your opinion, considering that of those unquestionably more qualified and experienced, and most especially the width and breadth of their perspectives. To do otherwise would be holding to a demonstrably narrow point-of-view.
Your experience is all well and good and respected, but the attitude of "just trust me, 'cuz I know ..." (as though anyone disagreeing or debating the actual merits is somehow unworthy of your time/consideration) really comes off as just a bunch of self-aggrandizing posturing. I find it difficult to believe that you actively want to come off as pompous and unprofessional, so I have to consider that you just aren't aware of how it comes across.
For my part, I have to admit I have never been an LE nor have I served in the military. I do however come from a family which is absolutely teeming with all manner of LE and military at almost every possible rank and level you'd be likely to think of. That's not even close to an exaggeration, by the way. My circle of friends and family includes current/former SWAT cops, HRT and SERT team members, Navy SEALs, SeaBees, Marines, National Guardsman, bona-fide TLA types serving covertly, Army Rangers ... take your pick.
In my own ignorance I tend to lean on their advice quite heavily on matters of weapons and tactics.
I've asked most of them at one time or another about how I should load an shotgun for HD purposes, and not one of them has ever even hinted at bean-bags or rubber shot ... not one. On the few occasions I've suggested it, I've universally gotten the "are you a complete idiot" look, or an extended lecture amounting to the same thing. In the process, I've unintentionally learned quite a bit about how less-lethal shotgun techniques are used and why. In my home I'm not on riot duty or crowd control, so those notions really don't apply.
Now, you may have access to specialized knowledge unavailable to the vast array of LE and military folks I've spoken to. You may be the world's greatest shotgunner ever, and the smartest tactician and legal expert on the use of force in existence, but nothing in your bearing really supports this notion other than your continued assertion that you are THE expert in all such matters.
You can see why I might tend to discount your opinion, considering that of those unquestionably more qualified and experienced, and most especially the width and breadth of their perspectives. To do otherwise would be holding to a demonstrably narrow point-of-view.
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