[Magdalen] Florida school shootings

[Roger Stokes]

On 22/02/2018 15:50, Michael Bishop wrote:
>
> I hope not to meet another armed policeman! There are more police 
> authorised to have firearms here these days, but very few indeed carry 
> arms as a matter of course - and then in very special circumstances.

Some policemen at certain locations, such as the Houses of Parliament or 
some government offices, carry what I believe may be semi-automatic guns 
as a matter of course. They are also sometimes seen at major transport 
hubs. That does not alarm me and I know it is intended to give 
reassurance in those situations. I believe that at least some members of 
the Royal and Diplomatic Protection squad will carry concealed 
revolvers. More generally some police vehicles will have weapons in a 
locked safe within the vehicle so they can respond to an incident where 
armed police are needed. I believe the procedure is that they file a 
report if they get the weapons out and authorisation has to be given by 
a senior office if they are to be fired. They are also required to warn 
before shooting.

Roger