I wish that I shared your optimism.
Unfortunately, I read stories here every day of police who use their authority to abuse, harm, and even kill citizens. Then, I look at the comments, and some who claim to be LEOs(supposedly Conservative FReepers) post some pretty outrageous replies in defense of some of the worst cases. It generally deteriorates into the dreaded "us vs. them" argument in which the LEOs (or those who claim to be) end up bragging about their abuse of people. Just this week, one of the usual suspects bragged about how much he enjoyed confiscating people's personal property over traffic (equipment) violations. Not that he did it because it was his job... not because it made the community safer...but because he got off on it. Is it too much of a stretch to think he will feel any differently when he comes to take your guns? After all, if taking someone's vehicle made him feel powerful, how much more of a power trip will it be when he and those like him are the only ones with the power to decide which of the rest of your property you should be allowed to keep?
These SWAT guys had to know that there was no reasonable reason for them (as SWAT officers) to be there. These were law abiding citizens using their Constitutional right to freely assemble. SWAT had to know that their presence was an intimidation tactic, yet they went along because they were just "following orders".
Where have we heard THAT before?
Police are here to follow orders from their higher ups and enforce laws as they see fit ... regardless if they are correct or not ...
Each year more and more laws are passed ... Many with the support of the majority of the people ... which just gives Police more ways to "protect" the innocent ... /s
I'm sure having power over the common folks is a pretty cool power as a result of having the job of law enforcement officer.
I'm not saying all Police are bad ... but many of the support law enforcement at all costs type people (some Freepers included) should NOT expect any help from the Police if our freedoms are restricted and an authoritarian type of leader emerges ... They will be the ones enforcing the new authoritarian type laws ...
Sadly, Gestapo like tactics do work sometimes ...
Since I'm particularly combative today, I'll leave you all with this beauty of a statement: Revenue Generation (safety checks, DUI checkpoints, speeding traps, other nuisance fines) are not protecting our freedoms or our rights ... they are strictly making money for their respected local/state government.
Just wait until you encounter one of these creatures in person....and you will.