Why do traffic cops carry guns?

I understand that, in other situations, a mean to protect yourself is necessary, but if you are employed to check if people are respecting traffic rules, I don't see how your person is more in danger than any other person working with other people.

Have there been cases of people shooting an officer over a ticket?

Probably.  America's gun situation is really big problem.

I think you put this in the wrong category.


On the topic, yes, America has an issue with guns. We've reached the point where even traffic cops need guns. Heck, my middle school and high school teachers(only special ones) had to carry a gun as well.

Maybe not for giving a ticket but they have to be ready in case the person they pull is already dangerous. There was an incident a couple years ago where a fugitive shot and killed an officer as he walking up to his window after getting pulled over. Keep in mind this was in Minnesota, same place as the most recent police shooting.

we all need to carry guns to protect ourselves from all those other people carrying guns.

Yeah, wrong category.

On the topic, that's tragic, really. A genuine feeling of safety should be a priority for the government.

If everyone in the states is going to carry a gun why is it strange that a Cop of any kind has one? heck homeless people on the street can legal carry.

in most countriers (dont know about all states of the us= traffic cops are also regular cops. They dont just do traffic, its just one part of their job.

Also in an car control the driver could made a crime (transportating drugs, escape after an robbery etc.).
Also their is the possibilit that the driver has an arrest wanted (so violance against the police is very likely).

Regrading to the 2 new police shots: In one of the video the victim had a gun in his trousers. We dont know what happend before or what happened exactly in the situation. So you shouldnt judge to early.

The problem is not police carrying guns. The problem is police being trained to respond to any perceived threat with deadly force. I have heard many cops say "My job is to come home safe". The job of the police is to protect and serve.

"had to" implies they had to use their guns. How many people did your teachers shoot or threaten with their guns?