Honestly, I think guns are more of a threat then communications in the clear. But guns are here to stay because we'd have more of an outcry from the public. I think it's important for those who will be effected by encryption to make themselves heard, otherwise, this will get worse.
So we should take all guns away just like some are "taking scanning away" [encryption]? That is a dumb argument. Outlaw guns, criminals will still have them and law abiding citizens will loose out on a hobby and the ability to protect themselves from armed criminals. Same argument you are using for scanning, you would loose out on a hobby and the ability to "protect/inform" the public. What's your point with the guns?
Encrypt transmissions and at least you have a pretty good bet that nobody will hear them.
There is an inherit "threat" posed by people misusing scanners just like there is threat from guns being misused. It is undeniable. Want to rob a bank? It would be nice to know where and when most of the units are tied up on the other side of town. How do you find out that info? The DISPATCH channel!!! It is a simple argument that can not be denied. We argue in our hobby that the threat posed by misuse is small and we should keep comms open for the 95% of citizens with good intentions. All we can do is hope our argument suffices, it has where I live, some places are more draconian about it.
I'm not accusing you directly but the "news media" and "news media as the protectors/informers of the public" attitude is the reason I hear cited most by officers who favor encryption. Look at the states with the most encryption and they are also the ones with the most tabloid, BS TV news programs ie Florida. Watch the news in Florida and all you see is footage of this car accident, that stabbing, the other shooting, the chase, etc. Find some real news please, this crap happens all the time and its everywhere. I'm talking minor car accidents as lead stories. You guys wanna play the BS "we protect and inform the public" card, then just tell people to listen to scanners, cut out the middlemen who usually get it wrong to begin with or spin it to get ratings. Your goal is money not protecting people. Cover real news stories and the occasional bank robbery/SWAT call out heavily and use your scanning resources to do it but stop showing up at every stupid, minor routine scene to get pictures. You are not helping your cause there and it only pisses off the cops.
The cops get sick of media crawling up their a$$ all the time with their 25 scanners running and making dangerous scenes more dangerous. Unfortunate part is after they encrypt, they usually give a monitor only radio to the local tabloids so they have effectively ruined it for the rest of us but not themselves. Keep up the good work guys!