police officers know legal basics, like relevant traffic laws and such, but when they see you doing something questionable, its based on "well, does it look like it should be illegal?" and if they think so, off you go
and ya I almost got killed at a gun range by a cop being an idiot so I definitely believe you are a better shot lol
I'm ex-military, have friends who are police, and currently work for a 3-letter federal agency, so I have a lot of respect for law enforcement people. It's a crappy, thankless job for the most part, and doesn't pay as well as most people think it does, especially given the working conditions. They play an important role in society, and generally don't get the appreciation they deserve--the only time you hear about them on the news is when they make a mistake or do something stupid. They have to make judgment calls every day, and get anal-probed for being too lax and being too strict. In many cases, they will be criticised no matter what they do. They have a tough, thankless job, and most of them do it well. But the are human just like the rest of us, and a badge does not grant the wearer any super powers. They are trained in the use of firearms, but most people are capable of achieving an equal or greater level of weapon proficiency if they are willing to invest the required time, effort, and money to do so.
Learning how to shoot well enough to defend yourself from a would-be mugger or rapist isn't very difficult; most such encounters occur at short enough ranges that aiming with sights is an unnecessary waste of time--less than 7 yards. And learning the appropriate use of deadly force isn't very difficult either. The exact legalities vary by jurisdiction, but the following principles are pretty universal:
1. A CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT IS NOT AN ASSHOLE HUNTING LICENSE. Merely being a jerk is not justification for shooting someone. Don't pull a gun on someone unless a "reasonable person" would construe their behavior as imminently threatening death or serious injury to someone. If you brandish a gun at someone just because they cut you off on the freeway, then congratulations, you have just put yourself in that category, and the other person may be legally justified to shoot you. Even if you don't get shot, you'll probably go to jail for brandishing a weapon, even in jurisdictions that issue concealed carry permits to anyone with a clean record and no history of mental illness.
2. PRACTICE REGULARLY, AND BE FAMILIAR ENOUGH WITH YOUR WEAPON TO OPERATE AND FIELD-STRIP IT BLINDFOLDED. Violent crimes are more frequent in the dark, and if you can't reload, clear jams, and work the safety without looking at the weapon, you're missing much of the point of having one. Sleazy criminal defense lawyers may try to accuse you accidentally/negligently shooting their client; having evidence to show you know how to operate your weapon properly and effectively can save your butt in court if the guy who showed up uninvited in your living room at 3AM sues you after you shoot him.
3. SHOOT TO KILL. If the situation truly justifies the use of deadly force, then use deadly force; don't screw around trying to wing the guy. If the perp survives, he's much more likely to sue you, but more importantly, if it is obvious you were shooting to wound instead of kill, you are undermining the credibility of your claim deadly force was justified. A slick lawyer could argue you were in control of the situation and shot to torture, not defend yourself. You are also exposing yourself to greater risk from the perp--he may not even notice being winged in the arm due to adrenaline and/or recreational pharmaceuticals (particularly PCP and meth) while disarming you and killing you with your own weapon. Shoot at center-chest, or the head if you have time to aim and the target isn't moving fast.
4. STOP SHOOTING ONCE THE THREAT HAS BEEN NEUTRALIZED. Once the perp is on the ground and no longer a threat to you or others (as defined a "reasonable person's" perception of his behavior), cease fire. If the dude is just lying there bleeding and otherwise minding his own business, don't blow his brains out to finish him off. Call 911. Unless he reaches into his pocket, and you suspect there may be a weapon in said pocket...but then "no longer a threat" no longer applies, and you are once again justified in using deadly force.
Police are an important part of society, but they can't be everywhere, they can't guarantee your safety, and they can't even guarantee that they will respond to a 911 call fast enough to save your bacon if something bad is happening to you. You are your own best first line of defense against criminals, because only you can be wherever you are, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
) ..... and a lot of certificates, declarations, annual renewals, and taxes, taxes, taxes ..... (did i mentioned taxes ? ..... 
