I quite agree, GF. I've said so earlier on. I'm just saying that they are not toys. I have both an air rifle and a CO2 pistol. Like any weapon they should be used safely. And I fault the cop for not assessing the situation further before firing.

olddude, some cop shops require psychological testing. Some training facilities actually will do "practical firing" after a mile run and before a BIG test while instructors scream at the students. More departments should do testing, most police academies should try to weed out the students with psychological problems. No chief (or fellow officer) in their right mind wants to deal with what Cleveland, Chicago, and other cities are dealing with right now.