When someone says the word “mobster” a universal image comes to mind. The image is a tough looking guy in a suit with a cigar hanging out of his mouth and a Tommy gun in his hands. A flashy 1911 is secured to his side by a leather shoulder holster. A gold ring on several fingers and some high-end leather shoes top him off as a mobster living a life of crime and pleasure.
But what do you picture when someone mentions a cop from 1930? Probably a guy in a wool uniform sporting a well-trimmed mustache, carrying a nightstick, and maybe wearing a 6-shot revolver. Shotguns were not uncommon for police to carry during the days of mob rule, but machine guns and 1911s were more of the exception than the standard back then.
Babyface Nelson, Al Capone, the Barker gang, and more were all famous for using a Tommy Gun as they wreaked havoc on communities around them. These same mobsters also carried the 1911 and an assortment of other guns. Outlaws like Clyde Barrow favored the BAR because they learned one valuable lesson. He who carries the biggest gun wins the fight. This crazy unbalanced match of firepower brings to question why it took agencies until the mid-1980s to make a change. Was there a legitimate reason for this or was it simply old-school leaders who didn’t like change?
Big Guns vs. Little Guns
On April 13, 1933, Members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Joplin Police Department surrounded a home in Joplin, Missouri, after receiving reports of suspicious activity. As one of the patrol cars pulled up to the house, they noticed a man closing some garage doors. One of the men jumped from the patrol car and yelled for him to stop. The first blast in what was about to be a bloody gun battle came from within the garage.
Both sides began firing and within a matter of minutes, two officers were killed. Several members of the Barrow gang were injured as they fled the scene in their car. The officers were armed with revolvers and were not expecting a barrage of automatic gunfire from the home. This was one of many times the Barrow gang shot their way free from law enforcement by sheer firepower. Even Bonnie Parker was firing a gun from a window in the house before she ran to the car.
Why did the police not upgrade their weapons?
The answer to this question is blurry with no clear explanation. Some say it was because the revolver was so reliable and simple, they didn’t see the point in changing. But the 1911 pistol was well known for its reliability and had a good track record coming out of the Great War (WWI). Others say it was a matter of expense and the process of training on a new handgun.
Even back in the 1930’s there was concern about arming the police with “military” weapons. The 1911 and Thompson machinegun were among the most advanced military weapons of that time. Regardless of the reason, the bad guys were packing more firepower than the cops. This continued to be a trend until the famous FBI-Miami shootout in 1986, where multiple FBI agents were gunned down by two men who had both served in the military.
Did we learn anything?
Law enforcement agencies are always being scrutinized for their weapons and tactics. Sure, there were budget considerations and training issues to overcome. But I think most of the delay in issuing more advanced weapons to members of law enforcement was because of public perception.
I remember when my agency first issued AR-15 rifles. People would make comments about them and didn’t like that police had rifles in their cars. The problem, however, is that criminals were routinely carrying the same weapons. If you are going to fight an enemy, you need to have the same or better firepower than they do. This ideology applies to anyone in a gun battle and self-defense is not excluded.
AR-15 rifles are now standard issue with most agencies and optics on rifles and handguns are starting to become common. From the time I entered law enforcement to now, there has been a dramatic change in how fast agencies are adapting to new software and equipment. This is a good thing, but it makes you wonder how things would be if they had done this sooner.
Can law-abiding citizens learn anything from this?
I know some groups like to cast a black shadow on anyone who mentions a rifle for self-defense. We have a ton of small compact guns on the market now that make it easy to conceal carry. This is great for protection when you’re on the move and it’s not possible to carry a larger gun. But anyone serious about protecting their home needs to have the same firepower as the bad guys.
I can’t count the number of times we have raided drug houses and found all types of high-powered rifles. If someone attempted to break in your home or attack you with an AR-15, your micro .380 pocket pistol would be less than ideal for self-defense. Police carry a variety of gear and weapons to use depending on the situation. Home/self-defense is no different.
It’s important to protect yourself and your home. But it’s also important to stay aware of what firearms, ammunition, and other gear are hitting the market. Re-evaluate your self-defense plan regularly to make sure it’s adequate and up to date. A gun that worked great 30 years ago, may work fine today. But there also may be a newer type of weapon or self-defense ammunition that works better.
Final Thoughts
There is no set standard for home or self-defense. Training, experience, weapons, ammunition, and a ton of other factors all play into the outcome of an incident. But making sure you have something that will provide an adequate response is one factor to consider. The police learned this the hard way and corrected this. Today, it’s much less likely that a group of criminals would outgun the police.
Between ballistic gear, firepower, and faster communications, the police have the edge in most cases. But weapons and tactics continue to change, and the police must change with them. Being prepared for self-defense is no different. Plan ahead, be ready, and stay familiar with modern weapons.
