Shoot To Kill

Former Member

wheresmyplacebo wrote:

point is, it isn't always effective, and since when have police been the judge, jury and executioner

if these terroists are sophisticated they'll get around a shoot to kill policy, if they aren't sophisticated there's better ways of stopping them, like gathering better intelligence to truly prevent

That answer is so vague as to be meaningless. You have more faith in intelligence being accurate and timely than I do. Whilst MI5 and the police are trying to get intelligence the bombers are trying to stop them - they don't go and post their membership and plans in the nearest police box. You can get greater intelligence, but you'd be one of the first screaming at the civil liberties intrusions which are needed to get it.

If you can stop them before they strap on the bomb fine - if not you need a fallback position and shooting someone in the head is the best option.

Also the 'dead man's trigger has major disadvantages to the terrorist - which is why its is very seldom used. Just imagine, you're leaving the bomb factory, a bit nervous, you trip, natural human reaction is to put your hands out to stop your fall - boom. Not only has your suicide bomb failed, but you've taken out all your friends.