Should English Police carry firearms?

[jake87385]

I was watching the news comparing the French police force against the English force and how well prepared we would be for an attack similar to what happened in Paris, they mentioned that around 5000 officers are armed in England whereas 220,000 are armed in France.

Personally I think it is about time police carried firearms, let's face it, they do a dangerous job.


Reasons for:
Easier to manage serious crime
At times the trigger needs to be pulled
A deterrent against law-breaking
Criminals are armed, the police only have pepper spray
Police are put in life threatening situations
Proven to be successful in many other police forces world wide

Reasons Against
Intimidating
expensive
Incorrect training - officers may pull the trigger without needing to
people claim by arming police gangs will throw away their pocket knives for a 9mm
Higher gun crime rates in theory

[FlyingJesus]

Perhaps offer more training for those who are capable but absolutely not in terms of regular officers. Gun training and special situational discipline is not something everyone involved has or even can have since it's a specific state of mind - as the army recruitment adverts always state. We don't have a massive gun culture in the UK and we don't need to create one

[-:Undertaker:-]

The Police in Great Britain were never designed to be armed, they're not special forces/the army and I don't like the notion of them being armed nor of them wearing them stupid OTT stab vests when just on patrol. Police should be returned to a civilian force to keep the peace, with the old uniforms and batons.

[Chippiewill]

Police serve to protect us from ourselves.
Military forces serve to protect us from our enemies.

The moment we arm our police officers we cross a very significant boundary, by accepting that a British citizen can be executed in the UK without a trial.

[Matt]

I think police having guns tends to scare people a lot more as I'd personally say that having a gun pointed at me compared to a taser or something like that is a lot more intimidating so it may deter some people from committing crimes? - I know if someone's going to commit a crime they might just do it regardless but yeah.

In saying that, I know there's been cases of people dying after being hit with a taser so I'm not sure how effective those are. I know from the news in Australia, if someone is shot by a gun from a police officer a massive investigation is launched and if someone dies then it's major headlines. The police are put under so much scrutiny when the do fire it that I wonder if it's really all worth it. If you were going to allow police to have them you'd need to have faith in them and be sure they'd use them effectively as I think the use of guns can be applied differently in certain situations (trigger happy cops wouldn't be too good)

It also provides the police with that added bit of protection and may give them more of a chance of saving lives (hostage situations and hold ups etc). It levels the playing field in my opinion too.

[Brad]

Perhaps offer more training for those who are capable but absolutely not in terms of regular officers. Gun training and special situational discipline is not something everyone involved has or even can have since it's a specific state of mind - as the army recruitment adverts always state. We don't have a massive gun culture in the UK and we don't need to create one

I agree with this.

If they are being trained to carry guns, and to equip them properly they should also go through a psychological test to make sure they are capable enough to carry them.
There's a time to use them, and a time not to.

[James]

Police serve to protect us from ourselves.
Military forces serve to protect us from our enemies.

The moment we arm our police officers we cross a very significant boundary, by accepting that a British citizen can be executed in the UK without a trial.
Agree with this 100%

Also, in countries such as America, guns are legal, therefore it seems necessary for police to have guns to protect themselves. Whereas here in the UK, guns are illegal, so there's no need for more officers to have any. It would just encourage more illegal firearm smuggling amongst gangs, like FlyingJesus said if we were to introduce more guns in our police force.

In answer to the English to French thing, it's just as Chippiewill said:

Police serve to protect us from ourselves.
Military forces serve to protect us from our enemies.

[Richie]

Of course we should arm the police, how are they going to arrest someone if they haven't got any arms?




No because it'll turn into 'merica. The more police arm themselves, the more criminals will feel the need to.

[Felix]

I think it's the opposite situation in Australia. Everyone thinks that police should give up their guns (well not all). Because realistically all they need in day2day business is a tazer. Those things nowadays pull someone to the ground so quick.
Although If they get called out to disturbance with a firearm, then they have guns in the car.

[Zak]

I'd much rather them use something that isn't likely to be lethal. Tasers/Stun batons would certainly be a better idea and then only use them when necessary.

[jake87385]

I think it's the opposite situation in Australia. Everyone thinks that police should give up their guns (well not all). Because realistically all they need in day2day business is a tazer. Those things nowadays pull someone to the ground so quick.
Although If they get called out to disturbance with a firearm, then they have guns in the car.
I am really shocked at how many people dislike the idea of police carrying guns, I've been trained how to use a pistol/rifle safely so I guess it has never bothered me because if I can be trained why can't they, saying that I think we could learn a lot from the Australians. Especially in bold.


I'd much rather them use something that isn't likely to be lethal. Tasers/Stun batons would certainly be a better idea and then only use them when necessary.

What happens if you taser someone with their finger on the trigger of a gun... muscles contract, finger gets pulled people get shot, it is an extreme example but you could also argue somebody drops the knife they're threatening someone with and fall on it and die from blood loss.... Maybe I'm taking health and safety too far here

Sorry I've not posted since creating this, college has been keeping me busy

[Zak]

What happens if you taser someone with their finger on the trigger of a gun... muscles contract, finger gets pulled people get shot, it is an extreme example but you could also argue somebody drops the knife they're threatening someone with and fall on it and die from blood loss.... Maybe I'm taking health and safety too far here

Sorry I've not posted since creating this, college has been keeping me busy

I think situations like that are going to be very rare. Made even rarer by the fact that there isn't much gun crime really in the UK. If someone if threatening someone with a knife and falls on it after being tasered.. unlucky lol but shouldn't have been threatening someone with a knife in the first place

[e5]

They need to be prepared for such things. I'd be more worried someone would abuse it but part of me thinks its vital

[Landon]

In my opinion, it really depends upon the place, crime rate, and situation. I am an American, and I know for a fact that police need to carry firearms. Many people in the United States have a firearm, and it's only necessary for police to have a firearm. Yes, you guys mention that some cops pull the trigger early or do it unnecessarily. And that is very true. But the stories you see on the news are all drama. How many times do you see it on the news? 5 to 10 a year? I don't know. But there are over 120,000 authorized policemen in the United States according to the 2008 census. They need to protect themselves; they're humans too.

As for the English, I am unfamiliar with the crime rates versus America, which I am sure are much lower. It's just my point-of-view.

[A]

Depends on the place and the crime rate in that area to be honest, if there is no crime in the area what is the point in it? It would be good though as I believe the UK Police are far to soft.

[Landon]

It would be good though as I believe the UK Police are far to soft.

I am American. Palace guards seem pretty mean. :P Police the same?

[A]

I am American. Palace guards seem pretty mean. :P Police the same?

Not at all the same, people walk all over the UK Police to be fair, all they really care about is road based crime.