The Smerconish Podcast

Today's Poll Question: Is America over-policed or under-policed?

October 5, 2026·14 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Is America over-policed or under-policed? Michael explores a provocative argument from Malcolm Gladwell’s new book, "The American Way of Killing" (hear Michael's conversation with Gladwell on The Book Club Podcast later today): America may have too few police officers, not too many—and far too many people behind bars. Comparing U.S. cities with their European counterparts, Michael examines whether smaller police forces can actually contribute to more violence, while easy access to guns turns everyday disputes deadly. He also revisits the Second Amendment, the Heller decision, and Gladwell’s argument that Americans have misunderstood the amendment’s original meaning. Listen in, then vote! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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