I think it's time that we, as a nation, had a conversation about the role guns can play in aiding firefighters in their work.
A visionary legislator from Georgia has introduced legislation to that effect, with broad bipartisan support.
http://gapundit.com/2014/01/31/cooke-introduces-bill-to-arm-firefighters-times-georgian-local-news/
But this goes beyond personal safety, which is by itself a huge deal.
Firefighters need firearms to perform their job.
Firefighters are already equipped with axes to break down doors.
How about arming them with shotguns loaded with breaching rounds to simply take it off its hinges? That would be faster than breaking through a door with an axe, and it would work where the axe wouldn't. The shotgun load can be tailored to the type of door.
How about needing to break a window that is inaccessible? Use the shotgun with bean bag rounds, or other less-lethal projectiles.
They could also toss a fire extinguisher into the middle of a blaze and fire at it with a handgun or rifle to create a firefighting conflagration of extinguishing chemicals, quickly dousing the flame and saving lives.
The possibilities are endless and I think it's time we give firefighters the tools they truly need. All it takes is a politician holding a press conference in front of the cameras with a lot of grim-faced firefighters standing behind him as he appeals to the nation for their right to carry on duty.
Your thoughts on this excellent idea?