Here in Louisiana (with the possible exception of New Orleans . . .
), the cops are virtually 100% in favor of private ownership of firearms. They actually rely on it in more rural areas, and constantly point out to folks that while they'll respond to a 911 call as fast as they can, it may still take them ten, twenty, even thirty minutes to get to a remote area. During that time, a BG can do a lot of damage . . . so they advise you to get a gun and learn how to use it!
Of course, this can lead to some fairly unique policing problems.
I recall an incident in the late '90's, where three big-city gang-bangers decided to come to the smaller town where I was working and hold up the local pharmacy. They walked in with handguns and hoods, and demanded all the "good stuff" - Oxycontin, Vicodin, etc. Unfortunately for them, one of the customers ducked behind a shelf and called the cops - then called her parents.
By the time the cops arrived, the word was spreading fast. In less time than it takes to tell it, there was a long line of cars approaching (at high speed), all containing older folks with their 12-gauges and .30-30 lever guns. Ended up with all eight of the town police at the scene - four to arrest the BG's (who, looking around, couldn't surrender fast enough!) and four to hold off the outraged townsfolk, all of whom wanted a piece of the action and were disgusted that "dem cops hoggin' all de fun to demselfs!"
Later that year, the Chief of Police lost his job in the local elections. It's rumored that pissed-off townsfolk never forgave him for spoiling their fun.
