Should police have guns?

[Curious George]

Recently Chicago police killed an innocent man who had detained a mass shooter.

This is followed by a recent killing of an innocent man in a mall who police wrongly supposed was a shooter in a recent event in Alabama.

Family demands answers after police kill man mistaken for shooter of 2 at mall - CNN

We can find other instances of the police killing innocents. So, I wonder, should we take away all police officers guns?

 

[Wirey]

First, let’s take away all cars because they occasionally do damage.

 

[Curious George]

First, let’s take away all cars because they occasionally do damage.

Should police have cars?

 

[Estro Felino]

Here in Europe we say "lucky Americans" because the laws about self-defense are so strict that cops are tried even when they shoot\kill real criminals like murderers or armed burglars.
Like this case...where a Italian cop killed an armed robber to save a colleague.Omicidio Guerra carabiniere vicentino finisce a processo

btw they're trying to solve this by giving cops more powerful tasers

 

[Sunstone]

American police pretty much need guns given how well armed the criminals can be here.

Having said that, it's my understanding that American police are better trained in using force to resolve situations than in de-escalating the situations that can be de-escalated.

 

[Altfish]

In the UK the police have no guns. Alright, terrorist shooters are not a weekly occurrence that they seem to be in the US, but we have rapid response units with highly trained weapons experts that can quickly be deployed to any incident.

 

[Estro Felino]

In the UK the police have no guns. Alright, terrorist shooters are not a weekly occurrence that they seem to be in the US, but we have rapid response units with highly trained weapons experts that can quickly be deployed to any incident.

I'm not saying that the American model is good...where cops shoot every five seconds.
But it's not good what we have in Europe either where they crucify a cop for defending himself

 

[George-ananda]

In the UK the police have no guns. Alright, terrorist shooters are not a weekly occurrence that they seem to be in the US, but we have rapid response units with highly trained weapons experts that can quickly be deployed to any incident.

Even more simply, it would seem to be a problem anytime they encounter someone possessing a deadly weapon. For better or for worse we have to accept that deadly weapons are not rare (perhaps especially in the US).

 

[Thief]

2,000 people die every year in back yard swimming pools

ooops

 

[Altfish]

I'm not saying that the American model is good...where cops shoot every five seconds.
But it's not good what we have in Europe either where they crucify a cop for defending himself

How many UK policeman have been 'crucified' in recent years?
I stand to be corrected but I believe the last UK police killed in action (Not including RTAs) was in 2012 when two policewomen were killed when they were ambushed whilst attending a burglary. If they had had guns it is unlikely the outcome would have been any different as the perpetrator had grenades and guns

 

[Altfish]

How many UK policeman have been 'crucified' in recent years?
I stand to be corrected but I believe the last UK police killed in action (Not including RTAs) was in 2012 when two policewomen were killed when they were ambushed whilst attending a burglary. If they had had guns it is unlikely the outcome would have been any different as the perpetrator had grenades and guns

Apologies, I forgot about the terrorist incident in Westminster earlier this year where a policeman was killed. Armed police were on duty, the perpetrator was shot dead.

 

[SomeRandom]

With the over abundance of guns in the US, perhaps reviews into firearms training might be a better approach.
In other places where we tell average idiot that they are not allowed guns, the police don't have such an immediate need. And can manage most situations fine, with the option of higher trained police on standby.
I don't know if that can translate into America. What if an average cop stumbles upon some average Joe with a gun in a threatening situation and has to make a split second decision there and then?

That said the alarming amount of shootings in America during an average week is kind of...........disconcerting.

 

[Thief]

How many UK policeman have been 'crucified' in recent years?
I stand to be corrected but I believe the last UK police killed in action (Not including RTAs) was in 2012 when two policewomen were killed when they were ambushed whilst attending a burglary. If they had had guns it is unlikely the outcome would have been any different as the perpetrator had grenades and guns

so...the event was altogether one sided?

having a gun might have prevented action taken by the bad guys

like the old 'wild west' of American fame....
you can come and go as you please
until someone with a weapon wants otherwise

then it becomes a call at that moment
are you in danger?......mmmmmmm could be
would a weapon reduce the harm?........maybe

would you shoot someone having a hand grenade?.......oh yeah
if he pulls the pin.....he needs to fall
right there

 

[Thief]

have grenades been listed as a weapon of mass destruction?
maybe not

however.....I would assume intent.....on sight

 

[Altfish]

so...the event was altogether one sided?

having a gun might have prevented action taken by the bad guys

like the old 'wild west' of American fame....
you can come and go as you please
until someone with a weapon wants otherwise

then it becomes a call at that moment
are you in danger?......mmmmmmm could be
would a weapon reduce the harm?........maybe

would you shoot someone having a hand grenade?.......oh yeah
if he pulls the pin.....he needs to fall
right there

There are police at UK airports, they frighten me. You see police with guns around Westminster, I'm not happy.
No, the army can have guns but the regular police should be unarmed, they have the public's trust, if they had guns they'd lose much of that trust.

 

[Thief]

There are police at UK airports, they frighten me. You see police with guns around Westminster, I'm not happy.
No, the army can have guns but the regular police should be unarmed, they have the public's trust, if they had guns they'd lose much of that trust.

so....you prefer they stand as targets

and you hide behind them?

 

[Altfish]

so....you prefer they stand as targets

and you hide behind them?

No, they are not targets anymore than I am. If the police become targets I am more likely to get shot 'hiding behind them'

I refer you to my earlier posts #21 & #22 We do NOT have a problem with police needing guns

 

[Thief]

No, they are not targets anymore than I am. If the police become targets I am more likely to get shot 'hiding behind them'

I refer you to my earlier posts #21 & #22 We do NOT have a problem with police needing guns

neither do the bad guys

 

[Altfish]

neither do the bad guys

If one side (the police) have guns, the other side (criminals) will arm themselves more - everyone loses.
I am proud of the UKs attitude of not arming the police.

 

[Flankerl]

Recently Chicago police killed an innocent man who had detained a mass shooter.

This is followed by a recent killing of an innocent man in a mall who police wrongly supposed was a shooter in a recent event in Alabama.

What American events to happen.
They probably also cuffed their dead bodies and told them to stay still while they were in deep pain and shock.

Reminds me of the stoned homeless in some alley who was an immediate threat, lying on the ground, having a gun while the Police where ducking behind bullet proof military grade vehicles.
They just had to unload their rifles. He was directly coming for them.

But that's just what it takes to have Freedom™.