Why do the Police in Northern Ireland police still carry guns?

Question

If the troubles are over, do the PSNI still need guns? alternatively, should the question be, "Why don't the rest of the UK police carry guns likes those sensible Northern Irish?"

Answer 1

Plenty of armed police in London.  

Answer 2

There is still a high risk of attacks by dissident republicans, in the last year two off duty PSNI officers suffered assassination attempts (thankfully unsuccessful) and last week a PSNI patrol vehicle in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh was attacked with an improvised rocket that failed to detonate

Answer 3

Because they tackle very dangerous criminals, they stopped it in uk because their under estimated killing too many innocent people.

Answer 4

Always have and due to the racist and bigoted recruitment policies always will. Little has changed in reality from the B' Specials

Answer 5

There are still loyalist areas and the men of violence still police the estates and dole out punishments despite the negotiations that allowed Adams and McGuiness to become 'Politicians'. I don't believe the IRA have disarmed and wouldn't be surprised if they are involved in the arming and training of other terrorists.

Answer 6

Police are always supposed to carry guns. I'm surprised there are places where cops don't have guns

UPDATE: Yes, it's obvious I'm not British. I reside in the USA

Answer 7

In answer to your first Q.  The terrorists are still trying to kill them. And for no 2 Q.

The rest of the UK should be armed due to the high level of knife and gun crimes being committed.

Answer 8

Even though the so called troubles are over the terrorists are still heavily involved in crime, if stopped they will shoot and its only right that they get some back.

All UK forces do have armed response vehicles and most bobbies apparently don't want to carry guns, but saying that in my 16 years in the job Ive never been asked!

Tasers are now being trialled throughout the country to non ARV officers and soon most coppers will carry one ( I believe)

Answer 9

Little do they know they are filled with water.