Should English Police carry firearms?

[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. Police the same?

[A]

I am American. Palace guards seem pretty mean. 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.