TV isn't real

Mark Steyn and Glenn Reynolds are complaining that the police don't immediately rush into buildings as the latest of the crazy man with gun situations evolves --

What's the point of calling 911 if they arrive within two minutes and then sit outside for the rest of the day to "make sure it's safe"? [Steyn] ... Plus, police lameness? “Police said they arrived within two minutes. . . . Police heard no gunfire after they arrived but waited for about an hour before entering the building to make sure it was safe for officers.” Jeez. [Reynolds]

A moment's reflection might lead to the conclusion that the police don't like to rush in all guns blazing when they don't know who or what they are dealing with, but the complaining is particularly poorly timed given --

PITTSBURGH – A man opened fire on officers during a domestic disturbance call Saturday morning, killing three of them, a police official said. Friends said he feared the Obama administration was poised to ban guns.

Three officers were killed, said a police official at the scene who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. Police spokeswoman Diane Richard would only say that at least five officers were wounded, but wouldn't give any other details.

Incidentally, the gunman had issues --

Police did not immediately release the gunman's identity, but his friends at the scene described him as a young man who thought the Obama administration would ban guns.

One friend, Edward Perkovic, said the gunman feared "the Obama gun ban that's on the way" and "didn't like our rights being infringed upon." Another longtime friend, Aaron Vire, said he feared that President Obama was going to take away his rights, though he said he "wasn't violently against Obama."

The point is that when you have a gun regulation system which puts guns in the hands of crazy people, there's only so much the police can do. They're not social workers and they're not James Bond.