A retired Golden, Colorado firefighter was shot by another armed citizen at his home in Florida this morning. Dallas Adkins, Jr., 59, died as a result of his injuries. Adkins was shot March 4 by his neighbor after the neighbor called 911 to report Adkins was armed and threatening suicide. Originally, the neighbor claimed that he had approached the house, gun in hand, and Adkins had opened the door and fired upon him. Investigators later concluded that Adkins had answered the door with a telephone to his ear in one hand, his other hand on the doorknob, and a rifle tucked under his arm so as to allow him to have both hands free for the phone and the door. “I’m thinking [the neighbor] got anxious, saw the shotgun and started shooting,” the investigator said.

What is your visceral emotional reaction to the story you just read? What do you think should happen to the neighbor who shot Mr. Adkins? What do you think the reaction will be of the local community, the police, and the prosecutor’s office?

Personally, I think the neighbor would be crucified. Arrested by the police. Condemned by the community. Charged with murder by the prosecutor, and even in the best case, maybe plead it down to manslaughter. And then gun-control groups would pile on, holding this story up as an example of why private citizens should not be allowed to have firearms.

Would your response have been any different if I had revealed that Adkins was actually shot by a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy.

Initially, the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office reported that Adkins had fired shots at deputies, but ballistics tests later revealed that he did not fire.

Authorities initially charged Adkins with with two counts of attempted murder on a law enforcement officer with a weapon, but those charges were reduced to aggravated assault.

When police shoot a person, the default assumption is usually that they were in the right, even in cases where such an assertion would be ridiculous had it been a non-LEO (Law Enforcement Officer) holding the gun. When private citizens shoot a person, the default assumption is usually that they were in the wrong, even in cases where the justification of the shooting is obvious and overwhelming. It is only in the most egregious cases, where the officers’ use of force seems clearly excessive, that public outcry turns against them.

This bias is perfectly illustrated by one of the commenters on the article, who writes:

Were police to let the gun-wielding man level and fire before reacting? Sadly, he got what he wanted and deserved.

We could have a lively discussion about whether it is justified to shoot a person who comes to the door with a gun under his arm, but that’s not actually my point. My point is, would this person have made the same comment if it was you or me who had killed Mr. Adkins? And if not, why not? Is a police officer’s life worth more than mine? If a police officer is in fear for his or her life and is justified in shooting someone, why wouldn’t I be justified as well?

The next time you find yourself reading a story about a shooting, ask yourself: would my impression change if I knew that the shooter was a cop, versus a non-LEO. See if you find yourself giving cops the benefit of the doubt. Do they deserve it, and if so, why?