Time to arm the guards with guns?

neilthefunkeone · 20-01-2010 03:12PM

Magnus wrote: »

Pepper spray and tasers, yes. Guns, no.

+1 on this..

Sure i roll around with a can of CS gas....

Edelmdublin · 20-01-2010 03:27PM

If they deserved it I would not be complaining, the Garda go in to certain areas and pick on people for no reason, i no it is hard to believe if you do not live in an area like this but I have seen it been done(Ballyfermot, Clondalkin, Tallaght) not to mention these are moslty young teenagers under the age of 18. I am not refering to all Garda either but the garda who are going out on the streets provoking and speeking to young people like animals should not be given a gun....How do they ever expect to gain the peoples respect & trust by handling situations in this manor!

NTMK · 20-01-2010 04:11PM

No there is no reason the standard gardai force needs to be armed. In Limerick City i don't go a day without seeing the ERU, ARU or Detectives around

I wouldn't trust the cops with guns as a lot of them on a big enough power trip as it is

Manic Moran · 20-01-2010 04:42PM

When was the last time an unarmed garda needed a gun?

9th August 2009 is possibly that date.

Failing that, the next date that comes to mind is 25th Sept 2007.
I don't seem to recall they ever found the shooter in that incident, did they?

NTM

OutlawPete · 20-01-2010 04:45PM

Most of the special branch are armed with personal handguns and always have been.

starbelgrade · 20-01-2010 04:46PM

Isn't arming the Gardai just giving them an invitation to shoot themselves in the foot?

Size=everything · 20-01-2010 04:52PM

Mark200 wrote: »

Absolutely not. When was the last time an unarmed garda needed a gun? If we arm our police force then the unarmed criminals will start to arm themselves to counter this.

About a year ago when an unarmed garda on a motorbike got blasted twice at close range with a shot gun and left for dead.

partyatmygaff · 20-01-2010 04:55PM

OutlawPete wrote: »

Most of the special branch are armed with personal handguns and always have been.

I don't think a little pistol is enough for the top of the line gardaí. A pistol can't match up to a shotgun or assault rifle.

major bill · 20-01-2010 04:56PM

never in a million years should the garda patrolling our streets be equipt with guns:mad:

Riddle101 · 20-01-2010 04:58PM

I kind've agree that the Gardaí should be armed. I know this girl said her house got burgled and the Gardaí arrived while the robbers were still in the house. But the Gardaí wouldn't go into the house incase the robbers were armed:rolleyes: maybe if they were armed, it would be a lot easier for them to arrest criminals who might be potentially a health risk to them or others. Criminals might think twice about engaging a Garda if the Gardaí were armed, and might give themselves up quicker. But that's just a theory of mine.

However I'd rather they were given Tazers and Pepperspray rather then guns, because I think we can take a lot of pride in the fact that our police force is unarmed. A lot of Cops in America seem to be gun crazed lunatics who would shoot you for looking at them the wrong way. I would be afraid if it would be the same way over here after a while. But I do think the health of our Garda personel who do have a pretty tough and danerous job is a big concern. They need some way of arresting people other then using a Nightstick.

major bill · 20-01-2010 05:04PM

Riddle101 wrote: »

I kind've agree that the Gardaí should be armed. I know this girl said her house got burgled and the Gardaí arrived while the robbers were still in the house. But the Gardaí wouldn't go into the house incase the robbers were armed:rolleyes: maybe if they were armed, it would be a lot easier for them to arrest criminals who might be potentially a health risk to them or others. Criminals might think twice about engaging a Garda if the Gardaí were armed, and might give themselves up quicker. But that's just a theory of mine.

However I'd rather they were given Tazers and Pepperspray rather then guns, because I think we can take a lot of pride in the fact that our police force is unarmed. A lot of Cops in America seem to be gun crazed lunatics who would shoot you for looking at them the wrong way. I would be afraid if it would be the same way over here after a while. But I do think the health of our Garda personel who do have a pretty tough and danerous job is a big concern. They need some way of arresting people other then using a Nightstick.

i still think tazers are over the top as some of these recruits dont have the maturity to use them in the right situation. its like handing a scissors to a baby..

drdeadlift · 20-01-2010 05:18PM

major bill wrote: »

i still think tazers are over the top as some of these recruits dont have the maturity to use them in the right situation. its like handing a scissors to a baby..

How many police forces from around the world have guns? The intimidation factor is as effective as using the weapon.
The main reason i feel they need guns is that the guards are not keeping with the times,the streets are awash with guns/knives and they are in the hands of the wrong people.If you believe the guards are not mature enough explain why,its not like they are recruiting 13yo school boys is it,all their eu counterparts carry arms.

Borneo Fnctn · 20-01-2010 05:24PM

partyatmygaff wrote: »

I don't think a little pistol is enough for the top of the line gardaí. A pistol can't match up to a shotgun or assault rifle.

The Emergency Response Unit are very well equipped. The special branch are a different crew.

On topic, I think the Gardai should be armed and I think they are up to the responsibility that comes with it. I think some people are just using this thread as an excuse to have a sly dig at the police by saying stuff like "I wouldn't trust them mongos with guns LOL"

major bill · 20-01-2010 05:27PM

drdeadlift wrote: »

How many police forces from around the world have guns? The intimidation factor is as effective as using the weapon.
The main reason i feel they need guns is that the guards are not keeping with the times,the streets are awash with guns/knives and they are in the hands of the wrong people.If you believe the guards are not mature enough explain why,its not like they are recruiting 13yo school boys is it,all their eu counterparts carry arms.

english police dont carry guns and they have a much bigger and violent population.
personally knowing some gards i wouldnt give them a toy gun let alone a real one:)

m5ex9oqjawdg2i · 20-01-2010 05:31PM

Sure thing, arm the guards with guns, what we need is another group of retards handling weapons. Then the gangs mentality changes, "The guards have guns, we need to get more"... Worst thing that could happen to us is give those fools weapons.

pvt.joker · 20-01-2010 05:32PM

Tristen Orange Cake wrote: »

Sure thing, arm the guards with guns, what we need is another group of retards handling weapons. Then the gangs mentality changes, "The guards have guns, we need to get more"... Worst thing that could happen to us is give those fools weapons.

finding it hard to walk with that chip on your shoulder ?

:rolleyes:

Mark200 · 20-01-2010 05:33PM

Smart Bug wrote: »

I think this idea is utter boll0cks. Criminal gangs have already upped the stakes with their level of armanent. Criminal gangs rival each other, a situation which has lead to a mini arms race, but yet people say "ooooh, if we arm the Gards the crims will all get guns". Pffft. They already have them. In large quantities. Semi and fully automatic assault rifles. There are estates in some of our major cities the Gardai can't enter because they'll be shot at.

Really. That bird has flown. Crims are armed. And the idea of an unarmed police force trying to handle them is laughable.

If you actually bothered to read the part of my post you quoted, you would have seen that I was referring to the currently UNARMED criminals:

If we arm our police force then the unarmed criminals will start to arm themselves to counter this.

Poccington · 20-01-2010 05:33PM

Borneo Fnctn wrote: »

The Emergency Response Unit are very well equipped. The special branch are a different crew.

On topic, I think the Gardai should be armed and I think they are up to the responsibility that comes with it. I think some people are just using this thread as an excuse to have a sly dig at the police by saying stuff like "I wouldn't trust them mongos with guns LOL"

How many members of the GS are serving in the ERU do you reckon?

Fact of the matter is, the ERU aren't always going to be the first responders to incidents where a person is armed. If a standard member of the GS can't deal with certain incidents because a suspect is armed, isn't there something wrong there?

Poccington · 20-01-2010 05:35PM

Tristen Orange Cake wrote: »

Sure thing, arm the guards with guns, what we need is another group of retards handling weapons. Then the gangs mentality changes, "The guards have guns, we need to get more"... Worst thing that could happen to us is give those fools weapons.

I didn't realise you had to be retarded to become a member of the GS.

Nearly all the members of the GS I have worked with have been nothing but professional. Of course, I'm sure you have worked with them quite a bit?

Poccington · 20-01-2010 05:39PM

Borneo Fnctn wrote: »

I was just distinguishing between special branch and ERU. You missed the point of my post. I do think they should be armed.

Ah I see said the blind man, sorry bout that.

major bill · 20-01-2010 05:40PM

Poccington wrote: »

How many members of the GS are serving in the ERU do you reckon?

Fact of the matter is, the ERU aren't always going to be the first responders to incidents where a person is armed. If a standard member of the GS can't deal with certain incidents because a suspect is armed, isn't there something wrong there?

whats the point of them then there the emergency responce unit if the gs arrive before them then is there not something wrong there???

Poccington · 20-01-2010 05:44PM

major bill wrote: »

whats the point of them then there the emergency responce unit if the gs arrive before them then is there not something wrong there???

So let's say there's a shooting in Finglas and the location of the suspect is known. A normal member of the GS happens to be in the area, surely he should be in a position to deal with the suspect?

Rather than the ERU or armed detectives having to deal with it? Keeping in mind the ERU is a small force that can't be in a million places at once?

major bill · 20-01-2010 05:50PM

Poccington wrote: »

So let's say there's a shooting in Finglas and the location of the suspect is known. A normal member of the GS happens to be in the area, surely he should be in a position to deal with the suspect?

Rather than the ERU or armed detectives having to deal with it? Keeping in mind the ERU is a small force that can't be in a million places at once?

fair point he should but does that not say more gards should be trained to work as a eru rather than spend millions on weapons for the whole police force??

Kradock · 20-01-2010 05:54PM

Give them guns in templemore and if they haven't killed each other or maimed some of their buddies by the time they have qualified then maybe they should be considered to carry one when on the beat.

Only thing is they would have to check them in with their coats when they go clubbing.

Edit , I don't agree the whole force should be armed, ever. Just build more prisons and fill them with the scum that deserve to be there.

Poccington · 20-01-2010 05:55PM

major bill wrote: »

fair point he should but does that not say more gards should be trained to work as a eru rather than spend millions on weapons for the whole police force??

Not all members of the GS are able to pass Selection for the ERU. It's a small Unit for a reason... They're trained to do more than know how to use a pistol.

The introduction of a sidearm to normal members of the GS could easily be done in phases although there wouldn't be much point as the cost would still be the same. Sometimes money has to be spent in order to improve something.

donvito99 · 20-01-2010 05:55PM

major bill wrote: »

whats the point of them then there the emergency responce unit if the gs arrive before them then is there not something wrong there???

Emergency Response Unit.

They are there to provide armed support to any situation that may arrise.

IMO, the RSU that was launched last year needs to be fully rolled out. Its not necessary to arm the regular cop on the beat. Obviously there's a chance of him/her being shot, but do these rare incidents justify arming the whole force, and sacrificing the principles that AGS stand by?

Poccington · 20-01-2010 05:57PM

donvito99 wrote: »

Emergency Response Unit.

They are there to provide armed support to any situation that may arrise.

IMO, the RSU that was launched last year needs to be fully rolled out. Its not necessary to arm the regular cop on the beat. Obviously there's a chance of him/her being shot, but do these rare incidents justify arming the whole force, and sacrificing the principles that AGS stand by?

That's another viable option.

Larger RSU's operating in population centre's is definitely an obvious part of the solution.

Faithless · 20-01-2010 06:26PM

What we need to do is get the army on the streets. None of this intimidating business, but proper attire. Leave the muckers on the beat to patrol the motorways and check for tax and insurance while the military can tackle serious crime with bazooka's.

Poccington · 20-01-2010 06:36PM

Faithless wrote: »

What we need to do is get the army on the streets. None of this intimidating business, but proper attire. Leave the muckers on the beat to patrol the motorways and check for tax and insurance while the military can tackle serious crime with bazooka's.

Bazooka's aren't intimidating? :P

starbelgrade · 20-01-2010 06:37PM

Poccington wrote: »

Bazooka's aren't intimidating? :P

Maybe not, but nukes are just a step too far.

Time to arm the guards with guns?

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