Should all British Police be armed?

I'm casting this vote in light of recent murderous events that I believe will go a long way to arming the good old 'British Bobby'. Would you like to see this sooner rather than later? Will it compel criminals or fundamentalists to up the ante? Is it inevitable and will it be a bad thing for us? Or perhaps it's a good thing that is long overdue?

Personally, I think we're way past the Dixon of Dock Green days now. :dry:

The recent terrorist event in Woolwich is discussed in more adult depth in the hidden asylum area for those of you that have subscribed to that facility. :yesnod:

Armed with what?

Tazers, pepper spray, batons, revolvers, and sub-machine guns are routinely carried by many police already and there is a resulting trend towards 'judge jury and executioner' justice on our streets. The killing continues to escalate.

For every innocent victim protected from criminals ( ironically by killing the criminal ) there's another killed by police, so perhaps it's time we reflected on what motivates the criminal rather than mimicking their mindset.

I vote no to further violence.

Yes from me.

As a culture we should be working harder to remove guns from everyday use. Making it normal to carry a gun even for the police, makes it more normal for everybody. Not saying there is no place for highly trained, experienced, armed officers but more guns means more dead innocents.

Its a yes from me.
I dont believe making it more normal for police makes it more normal for everybody. I dont drive at 80mph with blue lights and wo-woo'ing out my window because they do, nor do i carry a baton, taser, torch or radio.

In fact, given the number of weapons on the streets, knives and guns alike, it seems like it would even up the fight for the 'lagging behind' police.

And remember, even if the police carry, its their decision to use it. Just because youve got a gun on your belt doesnt mean its a first resolution.

KENNY EVERETT HAD THE BEST IDEA.WHEN HE WAS WEARING THOSE BIG HANDS

Escalation would be my fear. If the cops carry guns, the criminals will carry more guns, and more criminals will carry guns, and so ad infinitum. I carried a gun for years, out of necessity, and certainly not by choice. The fact was that in order to protect myself and my nearest and dearest, I didn't have a choice. I'd hate to have to go back to carrying a weapon again. So I guess that is a no to our police routinely carrying guns, then.

We need to step back and allow some logic into this discussion.
The simple fact is that for 95% of this country, armed police just aren't needed. For the other 5%, which is London and a couple of other terrorist target cities, the likelihood of an armed police officer being on hand to prevent an attack is remote. Remember, most of these brainwashed terrorists WANT to be martyrs anyway.

There should be, and there are, fast response armed officers in these hotspots.

After all, look at Afghanistan, having armed soldiers on the streets hasn't stopped the terror attacks, indeed the armed soldiers become another target.

I vote no.

I've walked the streets of Belfast armed and I've walked the streets of Germany armed. Both times in uniform as a military policeman and well over 20 years ago now. The Northern Ireland and German police were all routinely armed with pistols and pepper spray at that time too. It never seemed to be anything other than the norm there.

As for Britain in general. I wouldn't like to see us going the way of the states with guns everywhere as a necessity. I'm undecided on my vote right now. However, as David mentioned, there may be more of a need for it in the cities. One more of those attacks occurring could help me to adjust my vote to a yes though. :yesnod:

I don't think the police would want to be armed, the problem is if they were to carry a weapon they would be expected to use it. To use a gun you have to be papered for the results, that's why we have special trained units,

Living in Birmingham where gun crime is a problem the police say that not being armed can sometimes be safer as there is no street cred in shooting an unarmed officer.

the police say that not being armed can sometimes be safer as there is no street cred in shooting an unarmed officer.

I don't think the police would want to be armed

The thing is, they're well aware that the gang member / criminal is armed and don't want to be armed in case they get shot. :dry:

What about 'Joe Public' who it is their duty to protect?


Being unarmed didn't stop these three getting killed. Maybe they'd still be alive if they were armed.





Maybe quite a few of these fallen officers would still be alive if they were armed. CLICK TO SEE YOUR FORCES DEATH ROLL.