Should we arm all UK police with guns?

[SueEllen]

Clearly I am in the minority, but I would like to see all police armed with pistols.

The police don't want to have them.

[PurpleGorilla]

The police don't want to have them.

And you are an expert on what the police want?

[PurpleGorilla]

Guns are so archaic, got to be better solutions in modern or upcoming technology.

Something like a human EMP that puts everyone within a certain distance to sleep. Deployed by EMP proof drone.

Arming all cops with tazers would be a good start.

http://youtu.be/A7U5eJN3hLI

[vetran]

And you are an expert on what the police want?

Why British police don’t have guns - BBC News

its not like its a secret.

A 2006 survey of 47,328 Police Federation members found 82% did not want officers to be routinely armed on duty, despite almost half saying their lives had been "in serious jeopardy" during the previous three years.

[PurpleGorilla]

Why British police donâ€[emoji769]t have guns - BBC News

its not like its a secret.

That survey is 10 years old.

[DallasDad]

I think each officer should at least have the option to request firearms training (some may not be mentally or psychologically suitable to do so and that also needs to be recognised) and then once completed could be allowed to carry a weapon for what should always be primarily defensive reasons in certain circumstances.

I don't think tazers would ever cut it in a tazer v firearms situation.

I am thinking of an example like the two policewomen killed in Manchester, maybe if armed it would have been a different outcome.

On the flip side more officers carrying weapons will inevitably lead to accidents, unintended (and maybe even intended) shootings, death by cop etc. It will also add considerable stress to an already difficult role.

It's a difficult discussion. back in the mid eighties I was considering a role in the force, dog handling, possibly with firearms as a secondary skill. The selection process was extremely rigorous it was not long after the Stephen Waldorf debacle and they were giving a lot of consideration even then to psychological profiling of officers.

Any reason for asking this here OP?

[PurpleGorilla]

Any reason for asking this here OP?

The recent terrorist attacks on the continent. I thought it might be a good discussion.

[DaveB]

Agreed but we would no doubt have far more casualties than they do, probably at least 5 fold

No, because the armed response units we do have will get there just as fast as the regular unarmed guys will and just as fast as the French or German police would have done, armed or otherwise.

You are assuming that in every incident at least one armed policeman will be present and in a position to directly tackle the attackers. In reality they will probably shoot him first.

[DaveB]

And you are an expert on what the police want?

This was pointed out to you right at the start of the thread. My youngest brother is a Copper and has been a firearms officer. Most police do not want to be routinely armed.

[PurpleGorilla]

This was pointed out to you right at the start of the thread. My youngest brother is a Copper and has been a firearms officer. Most police do not want to be routinely armed.

My bad.