Police to carry guns ???

I see this question has been raised again after the double police officer killing in Manchester yesterday:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19641398

I think it would be a bad thing to happen , if we 100% armed our police then the criminals would tool up equally well and the next thing we know we'd think we were living in a New York slum

I think its a good idea personally, when i went too portagul getting out of the airport i was petrified too see police with guns. I see why as daves stated it could be a bad idea but i think personally it would have benefits too our country.

Dave wrote:I think it would be a bad thing to happen , if we 100% armed our police then the criminals would tool up equally well and the next thing we know we'd think we were living in a New York slum

gangs and chav are already tool up with guns and knifes in nottingham other big citys, i think its a good idea the police may shot some of these scumbags down

It wouldn't have stopped those two policewomen being shot, though.

we don't know that

it's never going to happen anyway only 1 copper out of 4 wants to carry guns

The police in the USA have carried guns for donkeys years - it hasn't stopped police getting killed, neither does it prevent gun crime.

I'm not saying they shouldn't carry guns (and after all, some police cars actually do have guns in a special compartment in the boot), just don't expect it to make any difference.

but USA coppers are train for just about anything if we did they same we don't what could of happen 1 may of died but other one may of survive or both of them may of lucky enough to survive

Caryll wrote:The police in the USA have carried guns for donkeys years - it hasn't stopped police getting killed, neither does it prevent gun crime.

I'm not saying they shouldn't carry guns (and after all, some police cars actually do have guns in a special compartment in the boot), just don't expect it to make any difference.

but it would make a little difference because some scumbag will be shot dead off our streets for good without paying to look after them in prison

I personally think it is a necessity here. Drug runners and criminals wouldn't stop carrying even if our cops did. Furthermore, it has indeed saved a couple of my buddies who are cops from being killed (the cops were able to shoot the bad guys first). Unfortunately it is just a very dangerous occupation that those in the force knowingly face. Would actually make me feel less safe if they stopped carrying guns. Just an "over the pond" perspective.

we have the same problem her ben i think they police shoulds have gun you can go in some pub in the uk any buy gun for like then £100

Steve wrote:but USA coppers are train for just about anything if we did they same we don't what could of happen 1 may of died but other one may of survive or both of them may of lucky enough to survive

This is true. They get some good training. They do know how to use all their weapons (and they carry a few - tasers, a couple sidearms, shotguns, AR-15 (only for special teams), pepper spray... etc.) They also wear body armor all the time on duty.

I'm not going any further with this thread cause I'll get angry. I'm a Catholic, and as such believe that life is sacred.

All this talk of killing people, and how they deserve it will make me see red.

Caryll wrote:I'm not going any further with this thread cause I'll get angry. I'm a Catholic, and as such believe that life is sacred.

All this talk of killing people, and how they deserve it will make me see red.

I agree with you, but we really don't have wild wild west shootouts with cops slinging their guns at every opportunity. One of my best friends took down a guy after chasing him and pulling a switchblade when he was caught. My friend never drew his weapon. He knocked the guy out and cuffed him. I just see it as a tool that potentially can save other lives, but I respect your opinion (plus, I'm just plain used to it here).

even to the local drug dealer who pushing drug on young kids?

Steve wrote:even to the local drug dealer who pushing drug on young kids?

Yes, Steve, even them. Nobody has the right to take a life. If it happens in self defense, or in the defense of someone else then that's different. I won't get drawn in to an argument about who deserves to be killed.

bet religions glad i do not have any beleaves in anything i wouldn't last seconds in any churches

bbimson wrote:I personally think it is a necessity here. Drug runners and criminals wouldn't stop carrying even if our cops did. Furthermore, it has indeed saved a couple of my buddies who are cops from being killed (the cops were able to shoot the bad guys first). Unfortunately it is just a very dangerous occupation that those in the force knowingly face. Would actually make me feel less safe if they stopped carrying guns. Just an "over the pond" perspective.

Your police force has always carried guns though haven't they Ben ?? so this is my point . I know for a lot of kids etc they would want to carry them anyway as it's cool and tough but mainly people would carry them as they would have to fight their way out of a situation against a police officer with a gun , rather than one with a metal stick so this is always going to favour a bigger weapon.
There's a big need for our rapid armed response units and policing airports etc armed , I just think in general as we have never been used to it the hooligans would just step up their game

Dave wrote:
Your police force has always carried guns though haven't they Ben ??

ever since the revolution...

Dave wrote:I think it would be a bad thing to happen , if we 100% armed our police then the criminals would tool up equally well and the next thing we know we'd think we were living in a New York slum

This. That said, it doesn't make a difference. But look at how many innocent people the police in America have killed because of a tense situation involving weapons. If you don't have a weapon, you can't kill an innocent person in the heat of the moment or because of an error of judgment. I'm not saying the police should be the ones getting killed, because many people do own guns, but it's just a lose-lose situation, in my opinion. Police have guns = more non-police killed. Police not having guns = more police killed.

ANattyRat wrote:This. That said, it doesn't make a difference. But look at how many innocent people the police in America have killed because of a tense situation involving weapons.

There 100 of people who are innocent who get shot but 16 year old kids or your local drug dealer... me i think if you become a police officer you should be offer a gun... the gangs have the gun (if they haven't it's not hard getting your hands one) but the police don't, that doesn't make any sense to me.

I think police should always be armed for their protection. The only countries I've seen them be an effective detterant w/o guns are Korea and Japan and that's because the prison's are horrible.

the prison in the uk are like hotels, they get tv, pc anything they like i know people who love in it

Not so over here so the police don't need guns. There also isn't much violent crime so they can dedicate lots of time to catching violent offenders.

Caryll wrote:The police in the USA have carried guns for donkeys years - it hasn't stopped police getting killed, neither does it prevent gun crime.

I'm not saying they shouldn't carry guns (and after all, some police cars actually do have guns in a special compartment in the boot), just don't expect it to make any difference.

I had a gun aimed at me by a policeman in the U.S. because I was speeding on a motorcycle.
Fair cr**ped myself.

I don't want to see the street bobby armed here.

My oh had something similar happen to him in Northern Ireland. He used to drive artics, and he parked one outside a chip shop while he went in to get some food - when he came out, he was surrounded by armed police & soldiers.

He was a little bit put out!

Eek.
I'd wee down my leg if that happened.