Killings have put people on edge

It is despair compounded on tragedy when the police now have to deal with people who make threats to Work and Income staff, in the wake of the shootings in Ashburton.

The thing is, I'd be willing to bet threats to Winz staff are pretty common.

I am not in a position to imagine what it would be like to be arguing with a Winz officer over a catalogue of failings, perhaps on your part, perhaps on theirs. For most people, there are default social graces that you bring to an office environment, especially when it's not your environment. But those can break down through frustration and anger and despair.

Threats towards journalists are not uncommon. Thankfully, most people threaten legal action. Perhaps "thankfully" is the wrong word; no editor enjoys getting letters that start with "We act for ..."

But in terms of threats of violence, it does happen - sometimes to your face.

I've had a shooting threat, followed immediately afterwards by a sobbing meltdown.

I can't comment on the particular motivations in the situation with Ashburton, because it's prejudicial - a man has to face trial on charges of murder. But it is scary to think of all those situations we have to face in our daily lives that involve tension and stress between two parties. Bureaucracy is a tough road to navigate, particularly if your day is already frayed with problems. But it could also be as simple as a road rage incident, or the person on the other end of the fast-food drive-through not getting your order right.

I've heard the phrase "I'll shoot you" and I've seen variations of it online. I've always dismissed it because, as all journalists know, talk is cheap. People say a lot of things, especially when they're under stress.

But now, like making jokes about bombs at an airport check-in, some angry, blurted remark is going to get you arrested really fast. We're a country that could sensibly shrug its shoulders at cheap talk.

That's probably not the case any more.