Should english police be allowed to carry firearms?

Question

what do you think

Answer 1

No, they are not safe to do so, they have shot two so far in training, thats only the ones we know about. How many accidental discharges and near misses have there been that have been covered up. Doesn't bear thinking about.

Answer 2

They do sometimes but i would hate to see it a permanent feature. How the heck can I trust a man with a gun. There are a couple of stories about some being a bit trigger happy now

Answer 3

Yes, I don't understand why they don't now.  When I was an active police officer I had my firearm out an average of 5-6 times a day.  I can't imagine not having it.

Answer 4

Any one who thinks it's "safer" to be "weaker"....wow.... I just can't understand the idea.

Answer 5

Some do, obviously. And the Met details in the airports are heavily armed for a reason. The gun really isn't that big a deal. It's a necessity in the U.S., because of how often they're encountered. I know one argument in the UK is that knowing most cops aren't armed makes them less threatening and more able to talk to folks on the same level. That's in line with the historical basis of English policing as fellow citizens just doing their public duty. A gun is a liability in a number of ways, even when it's necessary. I know of at least one old Texas sheriff who never carried a gun and got along fine. Died of old age, I think.

Answer 6

I PERSONALLY THINK THEY ARE DOING VERY GOOD SINCE THEY ARE NOT KILLING PEOPLE AND THEN GETTING RIOTS THAT LAST DAYS. THIS IS THE CASE IN NEW YORK CITY WHERE THE COPS ARE TRIGGER HAPPY AND SHOOT FOR NO REASON WHICH ENDS UP WITH THE BLACK PEOPLE RIOTING AGAINST WHITES OR HISPANICS AGAINST WHO KNOS WHAT? SINCE GUNS ARE OUTLAWED THERE THEY REALLY HAVE A VERY LESS CHANCE OF GETTING IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND OVER HERE THE CRIMINALS HAVE AUTOMATIC GUNS READY TO KILL SO COPS NEED THEM.

Answer 7

No, they really aren't necessary in England.  Guns are not available to the public, so there's no need for them.  They will just become  a liability.