Not justifying it. I’ve said multiple times that I believe this to be a murder perpetrated by a racist and corrupt police system. But I also come from a background of living in two of the most violent cities in the country and I know what illegal gun ownership has done to the places I have spent my life. It shouldn’t…

I definitely agree that the general public seem incapable of holding two concurrent thoughts in their head. At least for me, I can accept that there were things this man did that are horrifying to me and still believe he was murdered by a corrupt and racist police force.

No, I’m saying we can acknowledge the culture of violence that is encouraged by illegal gun ownership, and the systematic abuse of women by men, while still thinking that the police murdered this man.

Annnnd look, more problems with the second amendment existing in its current form in 2016.

Not trying to justify murder. Murder is unjustifiable to anyone with a conscience.

Yes, even bad guys can be murdered. He was murdered. I’m not refuting either of those facts.

Absolutely, the police are unequivocally in the wrong here. I just find myself also very troubled by the kind of violence that illegal gun ownership causes.

Yeah, I don’t disagree that he’s going to be treated in an incredibly racist way. I actually don’t disagree that harping on it can seem racist in comparison to how we treat white criminals. For my personal self, I can say that I am equally as suspicious and critical of all people who carry illegal firearms and men…

Yeah, I’m not disagreeing with any of the points anyone is making about the police. I just can’t really get behind any even tangential defense of illegal concealed carry.

They were not justified in shooting him. However, that does not excuse anybody’s decision to carry an illegal firearm.

Yes, the police are guilty of horrible misconduct, no doubt there.

I agree. He should have been detained and arrested.

It’s odd that his prior arrests and criminal history aren’t mentioned in an article describing a man’s fatal encounter with law enforcement.

I’m pretty sure somebody’s prior arrests are a bit more relevant to this discussion than what Alton’s favorite color is.

I don’t disagree with that at all. But they are facts that belong in this article.

I don’t disagree that the entire way this incident was handled was fucked up, I don’t disagree that the police should be thrown in jail, and I don’t disagree that the justice system is completely broken in regards to the way it treats any offender that isn’t a white man.

It’s a little bit conspicuous that you don’t mention the fact that he’s a registered sex offender because he was convicted for performing sex acts with a minor. You also don’t mention that he was on probation and thus, his carrying of a weapon at all would have been illegal.

Yeah, still not buying it.

Maybe they should. For all the complaining I hear around these parts about the two-party system, Independents seem more interested in whining about it than actually doing anything about it.

Register for a political party if you want to participate in their nominating process. They are private organizations, not governmental ones.