merledogs Posted October 26, 2007 Report Share Posted October 26, 2007 Do you think our Police force should carry guns like they do in the States? Should they only be armed in certain seemingly-lawless areas or in certain situations (such as responding to robberies, etc)? Personally I would like to see all our Police carry tasers at the very least but in certain places where gun crime is rife, I would like to see all officers armed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanrossscot Posted October 26, 2007 Report Share Posted October 26, 2007 That's a deep thought for this time of day Point to ponder, they are armed in N Ireland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cycas Posted October 26, 2007 Report Share Posted October 26, 2007 Based on the handful of PCs I have met, definitely not, most of them I'm not sure they should be let loose with a car, let alone a gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ailsas mum Posted October 26, 2007 Report Share Posted October 26, 2007 As the wife of a retired police officer my answer is no I would hate to see them carrying guns. It is something we have spoken about in the past and Vince has always been of the opinion that if they ( police ) had guns it would give the green light for more of the criminal fraternity to go out and get them. Terri Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EAD Posted October 26, 2007 Report Share Posted October 26, 2007 Only going by living in Northern Ireland but I feel they should be armed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jemimap Posted October 26, 2007 Report Share Posted October 26, 2007 Absolutley not! It will only mean that most criminals will then carry them. The way to deal with gun crime is to deal with the causes and the fact that guns are so easily available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted October 26, 2007 Report Share Posted October 26, 2007 I think they have the balance about right now - ie even in Hull (which is by no means a highly violent crime area) there are Police Officers equipped with weapons within their vehicles. They are specifically trained and only called upon in serious circumstances with prior authorisation from Senior Officers and if they do shoot someone are put through the wringer trying to justify it - an example being the death of Simon Murden whose family insist the weapon was ornamental, he was not a danger, but a confused young man and his death unjustified. Sadly facing an unknown man in those circumstances, even as well trained marksmen, I don't believe they had much other option left to them. http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/How-th...drama.978560.jp A baton certainly, gas yes, a Tazor possibly, though I have my concerns about whether these are as safe as suggested at present, but I certainly wouldn't myself think it a good idea for every copper (& pcso?) on the beat to be armed with a gun. I do believe more criminals may then arm themselves. I therefore think instead that those criminals found with a gun, let alone having actually threatened or shot someone with it should face far stiffer sentences than they presently get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheplover Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 Absolutely not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Rumpelstiltskin Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 to quote someone or rather 'who will police the police?' Definatly not. No more guns on the street, no matter whose hands they are in is dangerous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckey-lee Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 absolutly not Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nettie Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 I lived in Japan for many years, all police officers were armed, we had very little crime, especially of the violent variety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sallyandyoyosmum Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 I would absolutely hate it if the police were armed. My husband is a police officer and I worry about him loads, without adding guns to the equation. They carry guns in america, but there is more gun crime in america...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reds Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 (edited) I lived in Japan for many years, all police officers were armed, we had very little crime, especially of the violent variety. Interestingly I read a study a few years ago which looked at the very low rate of crime in Japan in comparison to other countries. It was the Japanese culture that was the given explanation, not any form of crime control measures per se. Edited November 6, 2007 by reds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reds Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 No in my opinion to all police carrying guns. Like it or not there is inevitably going to be a degree of 'trigger happiness'. They are trained to shoot, it stands to reason there will be instances where they shoot unjustifiably, albeit uncalculated. Also, criminals are always one step ahead of every crime prevention technique brought out. Guns are not something I would like them to be even more advanced or crafty in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 Having just had a heated debate with my OH whos a police officer I would say they should not carry guns as more criminals would carry them and if the police got over powered then the criminals could use the police guns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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