Well, in the US they do need guns. Cops have been shot while issuing a ticket. worked with a Canadian mining engineer years back here in OZ...... he had written on his helmet "I am not a Yank", lol. When young, he travelled the US in a sports car, and was once pulled up on spec. The cop made him turn on lights, indicators, wipers, etc in turn, and then said "horn", and the guy had installed a horn button under the dash. He reached under the dash to sound the horn, and heard a click, and "Hands on the dash". He had a .357 revolver cocked and aimed at his head. They dont take chances.
