Should police have guns?

[Thief]

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.

the bad guys will always arm themselves

and the population that cannot return fire (including the police)
are fish in a barrel

 

[Altfish]

the bad guys will always arm themselves

and the population that cannot return fire (including the police)
are fish in a barrel

I beg to differ - look at shooting rates in UK compared to US.
Last time a policeman/woman was killed by a gun shot was 2012 in UK.

 

[Thief]

I beg to differ - look at shooting rates in UK compared to US.
Last time a policeman/woman was killed by a gun shot was 2012 in UK.

it's been awhile since I quoted stats......but....

incidents leading to the local hospitals 'shot' up.....your country

seems little reservation to whacking each other.......clubs and knives

same thing happened in Australia.......banned the gun
and more aggression
so now they are trying to ban large knives

try shipping a custom made knife to Australia......see what happens

 

[Curious George]

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

Interesting thought. Could you expand on that and explain why it matters?

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.

I certainly agree that de-escalation training should be emphasized more. But I am simply discussing access to firearms.

 

[Curious George]

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.

Rapid response units sound like police with guns.

 

[Altfish]

Rapid response units sound like police with guns.

They are but they are not out and about on the streets. In normal times the guns are locked up.

 

[Thief]

Interesting thought. Could you expand on that and explain why it matters?

machine guns seem a strong pivot point

here in the States.....criminals armed up
the police were at a disadvantage
so....the machine gun now requires extensive background checks.....large ownership fees.....and much more

silencers have gone the same way......months pass by before you can claim your purchase

I've read the law in this state....
what you may not carry is a lengthy list
it includes....phasers
that's right....Star Trek tech
and no.....you may not

 

[Thief]

normal times

care to detail?......normal

 

[Altfish]

it's been awhile since I quoted stats......but....

incidents leading to the local hospitals 'shot' up.....your country

seems little reservation to whacking each other.......clubs and knives

same thing happened in Australia.......banned the gun
and more aggression
so now they are trying to ban large knives

try shipping a custom made knife to Australia......see what happens

There is a problem with gangs attacking each other with knives, mainly in London. At least it is knives not guns. Collateral damage with a knife is limited compared to a gun.
Arming police would not change a thing with these knife crimes.
Anyway, on the peaceful inner cities of the US how has armed policed help reduce crime when compared to London?

 

[Altfish]

care to detail?......normal

No terrorist or gun related incident such as a siege.

 

[Curious George]

They are but they are not out and about on the streets. In normal times the guns are locked up.

So your response is yes police should have guns but they should not have ready access to guns?

Why should they not have ready access? Why should they have any access?

 

[Thief]

There is a problem with gangs attacking each other with knives, mainly in London. At least it is knives not guns. Collateral damage with a knife is limited compared to a gun.
Arming police would not change a thing with these knife crimes.
Anyway, on the peaceful inner cities of the US how has armed policed help reduce crime when compared to London?

I feel safe
and ....unlike you......armed police do not frighten me
I walk in most neighborhoods without reservation
there are places I do not venture....and would feel better about it if a squad car
with armed police were near

would feel even better with a gun on my hip



we do have a problem with random shootings
but it's still safer than driving on our highways

 

[Altfish]

I feel safe
and ....unlike you......armed police do not frighten me
I walk in most neighborhoods without reservation
there are places I do not venture....and would feel better about it if a squad car
with armed police were near

would feel even better with a gun on my hip



we do have a problem with random shootings
but it's still safer than driving on our highways

So, despite arming your police it is similar, certainly no better.

 

[Thief]

So, despite arming your police it is similar, certainly no better.

I would speculate......the bad guys will still have their guns
and grenades
and improvised explosives
and the knives
and the ....long list of prohibited weapons

and our police would stand at the front door of a suspect and politely knock.....???????
please come out and surrender yourself

it doesn't happen often
return fire by a private citizen stops the problem

but it does happen
I think it should happen even more

I think the incidents of innocent people getting shot by mistake
are the result of behavior the police are trained to take down

if I perform a citizen's arrest.....with a weapon
I should look for that instant to put that weapon down

I should not assume the patrolman answering the call will think of me as the good guy

 

[BSM1]

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

ooops

Soooo...are you saying police should not have back yard swimming pools?

 

[BSM1]

machine guns seem a strong pivot point

here in the States.....criminals armed up
the police were at a disadvantage
so....the machine gun now requires extensive background checks.....large ownership fees.....and much more

silencers have gone the same way......months pass by before you can claim your purchase

I've read the law in this state....
what you may not carry is a lengthy list
it includes....phasers
that's right....Star Trek tech
and no.....you may not

No phasers?? Well, that sucks...

 

[dfnj]

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

Cars are not created for the purpose of killing people. Guns just exist to have dominance over others.

 

[Thief]

Cars are not created for the purpose of killing people. Guns just exist to have dominance over others.

are you a good guy?
or a bad guy?

or a victim waiting to be dealt as such
(just not sure of your stance)

 

[Thief]

No phasers?? Well, that sucks...

most of our laws suck

in one breath it's like the law wants to protect
by disarming the citizens from ALL weapons
but then turns about with restrictions of lengthy list ....about guns

yeah we have the right to keep and bear arms
but it's not practical

you can have a gun on your person....in your car....
with permits acquired

but the very same places where the tool is needed can post......not allowed

in recent days I was checking out at a counter
and someone came in the door and turned about and left
prelude to a robbery

I had no weapon and thought sure.....bad things would happen
I was followed to my truck and the dude wanted to know if I had cigarettes
if ever this happens to you
DON"T look like a target
I had my hands in my jacket.....like maybe I might.....just might......have a gun

note my avatar

and DON'T pull that stunt on a cop......
oh....oh

 

[Wirey]

Cars are not created for the purpose of killing people. Guns just exist to have dominance over others.

Guns exist is the important part of that statement. Can the police, especially in the US, protect the citizens without guns seems like the real question.