Could Gun Violence Unite Cops and Citizens in Protest?

Following a deadly week that seemed to have widened a racial, cultural and political divide among Americans, it could be assumed by some spectators that finding common ground between cops and citizens would be an exercise of formality rather than one meant to materialize something tactile. But, despite the tragic moment before us which proves difficult to navigate and understand, there is absolutely common ground upon which cops and citizens of America, both of whom are growing more worried about their safety each passing day, can stand together.

The issue that unites these two sometimes opposing forces is that of gun violence; moreover, the ease in which an individual can illegally—and sometimes legally though without scrutiny—obtain a firearm on the streets of America. The job of a police officer is made harder when having to combat armed criminals, and a citizen’s neighborhood is made less safe, and less enjoyable, when firearms, many which are obtained through straw purchases, end up in the hands of ne’er-do-wells who prefer a dishonest and destructive day’s work.

Gun control, a topic which President Barack Obama made part of his remarks at the memorial service for the five Dallas police officers killed last week by a 25 year-old sniper whose weapon of choice has not yet been disclosed, is largely perceived as a political non-starter and support for it has declined recently, according to ABC News.

The decline in support for gun control measures are those which pertain to, for example, a ban on assault weapons. But increasing mental health access and background checks, according to ABC News, has received broad public backing.

Not in dispute, however, is the proliferation of mostly illegally guns in big American cities. In Philadelphia, both the current and immediately former Mayor, upon my questioning, have lamented about gun violence and the lack of gun control legislation put forth by politicians in Harrisburg; as have a Pennsylvania State Representative and a South Philadelphia anti-violence activist.

And on any given day, a major city police officer will become frustrated with the amount of illegal firearms that pervade the area in which they patrol. Dramatically reducing the quantity of illegal guns available on American streets, and decreasing the probability that those weapons will one day belong to a criminal, is the sort of common ground that can support a march and protest, one where citizens and cops are side-by-side, locking arms, and demanding gun control of their lawmakers.

For sure, marching together in favor of gun control won’t solve the problems of institutional racism, the unequal distribution of power between cops and citizens that enables police brutality, and the flawed criminal justice system that finds it difficult to hold bad actors accountable who break the law while enforcing it, but it will create a space for the two sometimes opposing forces to see what makes them similar: a disdain for gun violence and a desire to return home each and every day to loved ones.

It’s important to identify and advocate for the macro changes needed to systems of government after incidents like those which took place in Baton Rouge, Minnesota and Dallas, but of equal importance is the micro interactions between cops and citizens that can emphasize humanity and shared values. As a country, we are nowhere near the level of civility and comradery that we’re capable of, but we also don’t have to be as divided as we’re currently being portrayed.

An unprecedented sign of unity would be cops and citizens in the streets together putting pressure on the lawmakers that, through their inability to halt the flow of illegal firearms in communities, exacerbate gun violence.

DOWNLOAD NOW: TABS Vol. 2, Edition 3.

Thanks for reading. Until next time, I’m Flood the Drummer® & I’m Drumming for JUSTICE!™

Photo: Getty Images