The key words in my post being “law abiding citizens”. For example, I have never even ever talked to a drug dealer in my life, let alone have a drug dealer point a gun at me, but like almost everyone else, I have had some interaction with the police. That is why the police need to exercise great caution. With great power comes great responsibility.
Very true.But there are certain situations where too much caution can get a cop killed.I recall one youtube video of a cop wearing a camera while responding to a "domestic".The cop was talking very calmly to the guy trying to defuse things.At one point the cop said to him,very calmly,"look,I just have to check you for weapons".The guy then put his hand in his pocket and shot the cop in the head...twice.
Turns out the killer had major convictions so being caught with a gun would have meant prison.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQcmAi6OV1I