Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Bumface
Conservation officers are trained professionals, and have taken courses and training to know when to reach for the bear spray (which they also carry) or the gun. They are also the ones called in to deal with aggressive/problem animals, and face disproportionate encounters with problem animals compared to those of us out there in our full Patagonia kit. If everyone has to go through the same vetting and training as conservation officers before they can carry a gun, and are subject to the same loss of income for doing it wrong, ok, maybe.
|
On the topic of conservation officers and as mentioned, the real danger is from people, just like any law enforcement officers. For example in my work, I am technically an officer in BC. Not one that can carry a firearm, but I have powers granted by the province to inspect private properties unannounced to enforce very specific regulations. There are times that I know the people involved are potentially dangerous so they send a CO trained to use a firearm to come with me for extra security. Usually we ask the RCMP first if possible, but it isn't always possible and we share the same office space as the COs.