Police weapons meant to protect people, not to threaten them with

A police officer in Lingbao city, Central China's Henan province, reportedly pulled out his gun and pointed it at a woman during a quarrel over her unlicensed van that was blocking the entrance to the local police station. He was later dismissed and banned from owning a gun, the local police authorities said. Comments:

Pointing a gun at a person to intimidate him/her is not only against public concern over safety, but also a breach of police rules on the use of guns. The incident has caused unnecessary damage to the police-public relationship. Police officers can fulfill their duties toward the public only when they fully understand their responsibilities and the regulations on the use of their powers.

jxnews.com.cn, Sept 22

Police guns are supposed to safeguard public safety, not to pose a latent threat to ordinary citizens. To alleviate public concerns over safety, a relevant accountability mechanism is needed to explain that police officers cannot pull out their guns whenever they want. Only by strictly regulating and managing the use of police weapons can people's legal interests, as well as the communities they live in, be better protected.

Xi'an Evening News, Sept 22

Policemen should be allowed to use their guns more reasonably and confidently because terrorist attacks and major criminal activities have rocked some regions of China in recent years. But the increasing misuse of police guns these days should also be noted, because the relevant regulations are mostly in favor of police. In fact, even a well-trained police officer can at times act on impulse and commit mistakes. A specific law is needed to clarify the proper use of police guns and the responsibilities that come with the right to carry a gun.

Beijing Times, Sept 22