Have the British police begun to carry guns yet?
by 
EvangelineOFire
ANSWERS: 2
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Some have for ages. It's simply that not all (not that many in fact), do - there are different ranks and skills and licenses within our police force.
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Small numbers of the police have carried guns since during WW2, yet even then they were never carried on patrol. Traditionally it is the army that carry guns openly, and I think there has always been a rejection of police carrying guns for fear that (especially in N. Ireland) it will too closely resemble the army. The powers that be want to make a clear distinction. Today, there are quite a few armed police in different areas of Britain but it is not standard, nor nationwide. It does not look like it will become so either (82% of police do not want it). Only Authorised Firearms Officers carry firearms/tasers. They are not typically on general patrol, but they are assigned to specific tasks and specific areas (i.e. airports) which need high protection.
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