ChatterBank33 mins ago
Arming British Police
Forgive me for putting this in News when I do not supply some link to invite you to debate this thread.
Earlier today on LBC radio it was asked if we think, in light of Paris, that British police should be armed permanently.
If gunmen burst into the Savoy Hotel would it be better that a local copper had a firearm rather than hide in a corner and radio for armed back up from an ARV who could be 9 minutes plus away? Remember Lee Rigby. Officers on scene but unarmed and powerless until ARV arrived.
Not all police officers feel happy about carrying firearms. I can respect that decision although as a member of a unit that carried a H&K MP5 single shot 9mm carbine plus a Glock 9mm for the last 20yrs of my service I was none too happy about some of my colleagues who never loaded their weapons and locked them in the glove box of the vehicles they travelled in.
We are told we have members of the Special Recognicance Regiment patrolling in plain clothes around London along with armed plain clothes police officers. Allegedly the army officers are not armed. I hope that is not true. Why bother to have them? Of course we have an army member arrested for murder during terrorist troubles years ago so perhaps the SRR are not happy with the so called rules of engagement the H.O. wish to saddle them with.
There are many ex police/army firearms trained personnel living in London
and other towns/cities. Would you feel safer knowing that there may be an armed gentleman dining next to you who would be happy to intervene should a terrorist storm your restaurant.
It isn't that stupid or laughable. The LDV/Homeguard (Dad's Army) were entrusted with firearms to protect their countrymen in times of war.
Obviously some older gentlemen would have to be tested as to their capability in possessing and using a firearm in a close quarter situation but do any body think there may be some merit in the suggestion that sensible ,capable persons who have been trained in the use of firearms be allowed to carry them covertly and use them to protect their fellow citizens?
r
Earlier today on LBC radio it was asked if we think, in light of Paris, that British police should be armed permanently.
If gunmen burst into the Savoy Hotel would it be better that a local copper had a firearm rather than hide in a corner and radio for armed back up from an ARV who could be 9 minutes plus away? Remember Lee Rigby. Officers on scene but unarmed and powerless until ARV arrived.
Not all police officers feel happy about carrying firearms. I can respect that decision although as a member of a unit that carried a H&K MP5 single shot 9mm carbine plus a Glock 9mm for the last 20yrs of my service I was none too happy about some of my colleagues who never loaded their weapons and locked them in the glove box of the vehicles they travelled in.
We are told we have members of the Special Recognicance Regiment patrolling in plain clothes around London along with armed plain clothes police officers. Allegedly the army officers are not armed. I hope that is not true. Why bother to have them? Of course we have an army member arrested for murder during terrorist troubles years ago so perhaps the SRR are not happy with the so called rules of engagement the H.O. wish to saddle them with.
There are many ex police/army firearms trained personnel living in London
and other towns/cities. Would you feel safer knowing that there may be an armed gentleman dining next to you who would be happy to intervene should a terrorist storm your restaurant.
It isn't that stupid or laughable. The LDV/Homeguard (Dad's Army) were entrusted with firearms to protect their countrymen in times of war.
Obviously some older gentlemen would have to be tested as to their capability in possessing and using a firearm in a close quarter situation but do any body think there may be some merit in the suggestion that sensible ,capable persons who have been trained in the use of firearms be allowed to carry them covertly and use them to protect their fellow citizens?
r
Answers
I'm a little concerned about the police in general being armed, because of the number of '
11:46 Mon 16th Nov 2015
Islay
//Then you also have to contend with the trigger happy coppers who shoot first and ask questions later.//
If you were to see two hooded gentlemen with AK 47s spraying automatic fire at people sitting at pavement cafes in Picadilly Circus pray tell me what questions would you wish to address to them first ?
//Then you also have to contend with the trigger happy coppers who shoot first and ask questions later.//
If you were to see two hooded gentlemen with AK 47s spraying automatic fire at people sitting at pavement cafes in Picadilly Circus pray tell me what questions would you wish to address to them first ?
I agree.I have asked opinions. I accept that a large majority of people are very uncomfortable about firearms.I have no problem with that.
You, however, have dodged my question with your flippant remark about shooting first and asking questions later.
I am being neither obtuse or waspish. I am putting forward a suggestion. You are not supplying any useful solution with your evasiveness.
Would you care to answer my previous question or do you wish to become abusive?
You, however, have dodged my question with your flippant remark about shooting first and asking questions later.
I am being neither obtuse or waspish. I am putting forward a suggestion. You are not supplying any useful solution with your evasiveness.
Would you care to answer my previous question or do you wish to become abusive?
Apologies if this point has already been made but a lot of French police are armed and That did little good
This is interesting and informative:
https:/
You presumably mean off duty police, but I can't help feeling that it's a short step from that to all sorts of other people carrying guns too, and we all now how that helps prevent gun crime in the USA ...
This is interesting and informative:
https:/
You presumably mean off duty police, but I can't help feeling that it's a short step from that to all sorts of other people carrying guns too, and we all now how that helps prevent gun crime in the USA ...
Ichkaria,
Again you are one of many who use the USA as a comparison. I believe you are incorrect.
The purchase of firearms in the UK is very,quite rightly, controlled. One cannot walk into a supermarket and purchase a firearm on production of ID in the UK. One cannot purchase ammunition without a firearms certificate in the UK
No one apart from military,police and the bad guys possess handguns in the UK. They are illegal .
Firearms certificates are only granted to members of a bona fide Home Office approved Shooting club or for licenced vermin control.
The bad guys already have illegally held handguns as,in London,Operation Trident will verify.
I am not just talking about off duty police officers carrying firearms during our current terrorist problems. I include former police and military firearms trained personnel who have been trained to the same standard as currently serving armed officers.
It is admitted that the British police woefully lack sufficient armed officers to cope with large scale firearm/terrorist incidents.
I am suggesting there numbers could be increased by those who are competent and capable to still use a firearm to protect citizens going about their lawful business and not just watch people being lined up and massacred whilst an armed response unit may be 15-20 minutes away.
Absoluteley no comparison can be made with the US in the current climate and I do not see what you mean when you say that "all sorts of other people will carry guns too". If you mean criminals/terrorists they already have them!!
Again you are one of many who use the USA as a comparison. I believe you are incorrect.
The purchase of firearms in the UK is very,quite rightly, controlled. One cannot walk into a supermarket and purchase a firearm on production of ID in the UK. One cannot purchase ammunition without a firearms certificate in the UK
No one apart from military,police and the bad guys possess handguns in the UK. They are illegal .
Firearms certificates are only granted to members of a bona fide Home Office approved Shooting club or for licenced vermin control.
The bad guys already have illegally held handguns as,in London,Operation Trident will verify.
I am not just talking about off duty police officers carrying firearms during our current terrorist problems. I include former police and military firearms trained personnel who have been trained to the same standard as currently serving armed officers.
It is admitted that the British police woefully lack sufficient armed officers to cope with large scale firearm/terrorist incidents.
I am suggesting there numbers could be increased by those who are competent and capable to still use a firearm to protect citizens going about their lawful business and not just watch people being lined up and massacred whilst an armed response unit may be 15-20 minutes away.
Absoluteley no comparison can be made with the US in the current climate and I do not see what you mean when you say that "all sorts of other people will carry guns too". If you mean criminals/terrorists they already have them!!
Retrocop, I imagine that many people in a similar situation with a similar background to yourself have affiliations with groups/organisations connected to their past service.
Have any of these groups backed this idea and contacted Government or other relevant bodies with a view to mobilising such a force?
It would be interesting if so to know what reaction there was.
Have any of these groups backed this idea and contacted Government or other relevant bodies with a view to mobilising such a force?
It would be interesting if so to know what reaction there was.
Mamyalynne
You are quite correct.I know many ex firearm trained officers who would be willing to assist serving police officers just be being in the right place at the right time to avert further tragedy. I mentioned earlier that I recently met a retired officer who is still authorised to carry a covert handgun for self protection.
I do not believe the H.O. have the stomach to sanction what I and other have proposed. It would be helpful to have public support but it seems that a lot on AB would rely on divine intervention should they ever be facing the end of a gun barrel. :-( Just been called a redneck on another thread for my opinion and suggestion on this theme.
You are quite correct.I know many ex firearm trained officers who would be willing to assist serving police officers just be being in the right place at the right time to avert further tragedy. I mentioned earlier that I recently met a retired officer who is still authorised to carry a covert handgun for self protection.
I do not believe the H.O. have the stomach to sanction what I and other have proposed. It would be helpful to have public support but it seems that a lot on AB would rely on divine intervention should they ever be facing the end of a gun barrel. :-( Just been called a redneck on another thread for my opinion and suggestion on this theme.
It's interesting to note that in the US where a would-be assassin can never be certain whether or not a nearby person is armed, the only place where this type of random slaying takes place seems to be in schools where there are guaranteed to be no weapons. I don't know if a lesson can be drawn from that, but I'd personally feel more comfortable if I thought there were a few "Dirty Harrys" around.
Yes I would not mind seeing armed Police officers. I can't see the problem as armed police officers are in many European countries . Years ago our Police officers were respected -now kids spit on them and sometimes stab them. I would feel safer at any events knowing that if someone started shooting they could be downed quickly by a Police Officer.
I can not believe some of these answers, do you people not realise we are under threat by maniac's, they're not an Army but MANIACS, do you think that these cranks will back off to your cry's of Please don't kill me, live in the real world for Christ sake, these people cranks are scum, they are the dregs of the earth, the do not fight in the name of Religion, they are killers & have no respect for human life be it be children / women / men, I agree with professional Training, let the Police / Army carry arms or do you not think much of your life?
I think a great deal of not just my life but the lives of everyone around me and more.
My responses have largely been in answered to 'ex' police/forces being armed - an armed civilian force if you will, not keen on that idea.
Our serving police being armed I have less of a problem with.
A very emotive response TWR , but can we not discuss this sensibly without charging in and railing at others for differing views?
My responses have largely been in answered to 'ex' police/forces being armed - an armed civilian force if you will, not keen on that idea.
Our serving police being armed I have less of a problem with.
A very emotive response TWR , but can we not discuss this sensibly without charging in and railing at others for differing views?
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