I don't think the issue is what the criminals carry, because the cops still carry guns. It's a whole police brutality thing. I have seen cops slam people on cars and generally beat the crap out of them for no real reason. I know someone who just recently had the cops called on her and when she asked them what was going on they SLAMMED her on the cop car, cuffed her and literally threw her into the back seat. I think they're just worried that they'll pull out the Maglites instead of shooting someone, and beat the %$!@ out of them!