Should we arm all UK police with guns?

[PurpleGorilla]

Might save a few lives when the nutters go on the rampage...

[FatLazyContractor]

Might save a few lives when the nutters go on the rampage...

Good thought chief. But the problem is with the fact that these nutters first shoot those who are armed, neutralise them and go on their rampage.

[vetran]

I want armed police to be well trained & managed if we gave all police guns then it would be very dangerous being black etc like in the US.

I would imagine by the time the police have got there most of the casualties have happened. If the unarmed police can talk to the gunman & stop them shooting the specialist firearms officers can arrive and decide what to do.

[DaveB]

Might save a few lives when the nutters go on the rampage...

You are making the assumption that the Police want to be armed. The vast majority don't. My youngest brother is a Copper and has been a firearms Officer.

Being able to deal with an armed individual intent on killing civilians depends on having an armed response at the scene when they fire the first shot. Thats unlikely to happen given the numbers of Police we actually have. Reports of gunfire will generate an armed response from the Police who will generally get there just as quickly as their unarmed colleagues.

Having armed police on the streets in Germany didn't stop the latest nutter, nor did it make a difference in France with the Charlie Hebdo shootings or the Bataclan theatre shootings.

[BrilloPad]

No police should be armed. Thats what the army is for.

[Bee]

Might save a few lives when the nutters go on the rampage...

Hey, wait a minute... what!?

Are you telling that in the UK the police doesn't have a Glock or anything similar?

[BrilloPad]

Hey, wait a minute... what!?

Are you telling that in the UK the police doesn't have a Glock or anything similar?

The UK police are armed with charm and wit.

[PurpleGorilla]

Hey, wait a minute... what!?

Are you telling that in the UK the police doesn't have a Glock or anything similar?

Pepper spray and a batton.

If they are lucky, maybe a tazer.

[Bee]

Pepper spray and a batton.

If they are lucky, maybe a tazer.

Jesus Christ! You must be joking.

How safe is London?

[PurpleGorilla]

Jesus Christ! You must be joking.

How safe is London?

Security services seem to pick up most terrorism attempts, but it is inevitable something will get through.

Personally, I would like to see our cops carry guns.