Great writing and research, Guy. I almost hate commentlng on the gun topic because (like global warming) it is very confusing and without a lot of constructive solutions. But Medium has taught me to trust my fellow writers like you, and push myself into uncomfortable but important issues.

Yes, if I were a black guy in America ---I would no way have a gone in a car or on my person. It is not a good idea for anyone, but the police seem to freak out and feel threatened especially with black men. The guy who admitted to having a permit to carry and having a gun in the glove compartment of his car and getting shot by a woman police officer (with little experience) who just lost her nerve upon hearing. Super Crazy.

Also, so many examples of police letting a suspect lack of compliance, escalate into a shooting so quickly over the smallest things.

The case in Grand Rapids Michigan is a great example. Let's be frank, there are some young people who use the discrimination thing as an excuse for not following directions. The man in Grand Rapids did that, but the officer not once tried to descalate. He could of let the man run if he wanted, and impounded the car. But that was not in the policeman's playbook.

Could we have police departments focus on deescalation? Can we give out police awards every time a cop takes a dangerous encounter and resolves it with a mininimum of violence or people getting hurt?

Can we publicize those incidents for once that go right? There are great cops that do the right thing that would benefit! Are we missing the good stuff sometimes?

I would like to see studies to see if police with military backgrounds instilled with "Rules of Engagement" training have better outcomes when they see a black man with a gun or not following directions.

I know the other issue, is that police laws vary so much state to state and town to town. Can we have a national police policy like the military? It is a mamouth request, I know.

Maybe there would be little difference, but I am up for starting somewhere.

In my opinion, it is about race but it cannot be all about race---especially the solutions. My experience with activists (of most issues) is that they are really big on bringing to light disparity, but they tend to be very quiet on taking ownership and getting pragmatic solutions in place.

You have done the homework so that the issues are laid out. You have my support in making a safer America. You are the kind of man, who I volunteer to say, "How can I help?"

Thank you very much. Am following, Mark