I get that criminals don’t have respect for the police. After all, they’re natural enemies. That’s because the people who become cops and the people who become criminals often have very divergent paths in life, but all ultimately choose which side to be on.

But one thing the bad guys need to learn is that shooting at the police isn’t exactly a winning proposition.  For one thing, they’re all armed.

That’s a big one.

For another, they have tons of buddies who are also armed that will come a-running with a simple call of a radio.

And if you actually take a cop out, then what? Every police officer in the nation will be gunning for you. Not a smart career move.

In Colorado, though, deputies never let it get that far.

An investigation is underway after deputies with the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office killed one suspect and captured another following an alleged burglary.

Around 5 a.m. Sunday, the Clear Creek Communications Center received a call of a burglary in progress in the 1000 block of Morrison Lane. A man said he was not at home but could see the suspects through security cameras.

When deputies arrived, they saw two vehicles and two adult male suspects. As deputies approached, both suspects allegedly pulled out firearms. Deputies shot at the suspects, killing one, while the other fled into the woods.

Of course, the one that fled didn’t get far, but he at least had the sense to run rather than trying to slug it out with law enforcement. If only he’d exercised good judgment earlier in the evening.

Still, it sounds like about as clear a case of self-defense as you’re ever going to see.

Now, it’s important to note that these guys were burglars. They broke into a home while armed.

This is why a residential burglary is one of those times when you’re justified in believing your life is in danger right off the bat. These two were prepared to kill a homeowner if they had to. It wasn’t a huge leap to them taking shots at the police.

However, there’s a saying. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Shooting at the police is one of those really, really stupid games, and I can’t really find any sympathy for the guy who decided to shoot at armed deputies. I mean, if prison is really that bad, then maybe pursuing a life of crime is really not the best career choice?

Just putting that out there.

Thus far, though, we haven’t seen riots popping up, which is a good thing. Far too often, any officer-involved shooting is treated as a police brutality case, when that’s not even close. Hell, some of the favorite causes of Black Lives Matter aren’t police brutality cases. But this doesn’t seem to be raising people’s ire, which is for the best. No one needs that kind of headache.

Maybe, though, this will serve as a warning to a few people who are starting down this road. Being a crook may sound like an easy life, but it’s really a good way to end up dead.

As a final note, I want to point out just how little all of Colorado’s gun control laws worked to keep the bad guys disarmed. Somehow, I don’t think the state’s gun-grabbers will rethink their position.