I dont think most people besides law enforcement need firearms.

I feel like they shouldn't if most of the British people feel that they shouldn't. The USA and the UK have mostly very similar cultures, but there are a few ways they differ greatly, and this is a prime example.

Me personally, I think everyone has a right to own firearms and that should only be restricted when absolutely necessary (person is a violent felon, the weapon has the ability to kill larges amounts of people at once such as explosive weapons). And most American's feel this way, the disagreement is mostly about how much they should be restricted. Very few want strict laws similar to those of the U.K.

But the overall situation is very different in the U.K., they don't have as much gun crime to worry about because of their strict gun laws, and so police officers not having firearms isn't much of a problem for them it seems.

Too long, didn't read: It's not very useful to use an American argument and how things are in our country and apply it to policing in the U.K. Two different places with different issues.

Also I have a question. Have police in the U.K. never really been armed? I imagine at some point not that long ago they were, and it was decided that regular police officers no longer needed them. Just interested, not trying to make a point or anything.

Also I have a question. Have police in the U.K. never really been armed? I imagine at some point not that long ago they were, and it was decided that regular police officers no longer needed them. Just interested, not trying to make a point or anything.

Not really, most 'bobbies on the beat' used to just simply carry a truncheon (the big, heavy duty batons), because there was more respect for the police than there is today. Higher ranked officers did have a revolver type gun, but they were rarely take out. During the war more officers were armed, but the guns were kept in the station weapons rooms, and were used purely in case of invasion. Armed officers have steadily increased over time, but still not as great a need for them today.

But the overall situation is very different in the U.K., they don't have as much gun crime to worry about because of their strict gun laws, and so police officers not having firearms isn't much of a problem for them it seems.

Too long, didn't read: It's not very useful to use an American argument and how things are in our country and apply it to policing in the U.K. Two different places with different issues.

I think this is the point exactly. There is a direct correlation across the world of those countries that have strict gun laws to the amount of gun crime. Strict laws = less gun crime. No laws/Relaxed laws = more gun crime/attacks.

Officers do carry weapons as part of the armed units, theyre not needed on our streets generally. Most officers carry pepper spray and a baton, and those trained to will also carry tasers. For street patrols, pepper spray is the most they use, if a situation escalates, back up is called for, with escalating weapons as needed. Each officer has kevlar vests and multiple layers of bodily protection for safety.

The videos you refer to, take a look at the uk versions of them. Theres a great video of a guy wielding a samurai sword (i think) and officers took him down with no weapons needed, patience and great training only.

We're not America, We don't shoot first, ask questions later, we apprehend and question to gain more intelligence.

~Mudds

North American standpoint:

In Canada we don't shoot first and ask questions later. But we do arm our police. If it works for you guys, then all the power to it.

I believe they should carry a side-arm. Shouldn't generalize and hold one style of policing on a higher pedestal. They are totally different environments. Also, we all know not all police officers in the USA are like that.

There are many places with effective policing where guns are at play. In this day and age you never know what's going to happen, and I believe all officers should be prepared should the situation arise.

(Wife's a police officer; I'd never let her leave the house if I knew she didn't have her glock.)