- List of UK police firearms
Within the British Police, officers are not routinely armed. Instead, they rely on
Armed Response Vehicle s to attend emergency calls, which are believed to involve firearms. Armed Response Vehicles, are crewed byAuthorised Firearms Officer s, this title identifies the officer as a trained firearms officer.Specialist Firearms Officer s are commonly trained to a higher level than AFOs, because they are likely to be the officers required to enter besieged premises. The majority of firearms other than pistols that are used by the British Police are designated "Semi-Automatic Carbine s" [cite book |title=Armed Police, The Police Use of Firearms since 1945 |last=Waldren |first=Michael J. |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2007 |publisher=Sutton |location=England |isbn=0750946377 |pages=224] , this means that the firearm only fires one bullet with each pull of the trigger, as opposed to an automatic sub machine gun, as used by the Military. Firearms within the British Police, are srtictly regulated, with many rules detailing engagement. Due to the police being a civillian force, they shoot to incapacitate, rather than kill.tandard weapons (AFO)
Firearms in service vary between forces in the UK as individual
Chief Constable s and Police Authorities retain considerable independence.Despite carrying firearms,
Authorised Firearms Officer s still carry the standard issue telescopic baton, CS/PAVA incapacitant spray andHiatts Speedcuffs . However, instead of wearing a stab proof vest a ballistic one is worn. Officers often carry a mobile phone and two radios, one for the Airwave system and the other to communicate with other members of their team.Specialist Firearms Officer s normally wear fire retardant overalls when on duty and may or may not carry batons, incapacitant spray and other equipment depending on the nature of their allocated duties. All of the weapons described here are used byterritorial police force s firearms unit.The following is commonly standard issue to Authorised Firearms Officers:
* German
Heckler & Koch MP5 (semi-automaticcarbine , fitted withRed dot sight ) [cite book |title=Armed Police, The Police Use of Firearms since 1945 |last=Waldren |first=Michael J. |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2007 |publisher=Sutton |location=England |isbn=0750946377 |pages=224]
* AustrianSteyr AUG (Semi Automatic Carbine, some forces issue the AUG instead of the H&K MP5)
* GermanHeckler & Koch G3 (assault rifle , used as sniper) [cite book |title=Armed Police, The Police Use of Firearms since 1945 |last=Waldren |first=Michael J. |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2007 |publisher=Sutton |location=England |isbn=0750946377 |pages=224] <
* GermanHeckler & Koch G36 (semi-automatic carbine) [cite book |title=Armed Police, The Police Use of Firearms since 1945 |last=Waldren |first=Michael J. |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2007 |publisher=Sutton |location=England |isbn=0750946377 |pages=224]
* AustrianGlock 17 (pistol) [cite book |title=Armed Police, The Police Use of Firearms since 1945 |last=Waldren |first=Michael J. |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2007 |publisher=Sutton |location=England |isbn=0750946377 |pages=224]
* Swiss/GermanSig Sauer P226 (Pistol) [ [http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread153344/pg2] ]
* German Heckler & Koch 69 "Baton Gun" - less lethal option (fires a largerubber bullet ) [cite book |title=Armed Police, The Police Use of Firearms since 1945 |last=Waldren |first=Michael J. |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2007 |publisher=Sutton |location=England |isbn=0750946377 |pages=224]
* AmericanTaser International X26 (stun gun) [cite book |title=Armed Police, The Police Use of Firearms since 1945 |last=Waldren |first=Michael J. |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2007 |publisher=Sutton |location=England |isbn=0750946377 |pages=224]Non-Home office police standard firearms
* German
Heckler & Koch MP7 (Personal defence weapon ) - Ministry of Defence Police
* Belgian/American Browning High Power L9A1 (Pistol) -Royal Military Police , Ministry of Defence Police.Officers may also be trained in the use of equivalent weapons.Fact|date=September 2008|previous ref does not exist - cite web|url=http://www.kent.police.uk/Work%20for%20the%20Police/Become%20a%20Police%20Officer/Protective%20services/Training%20and%20Tactica.html|title=Kent Police Training and Tactical Firearms Unit|quote=Candidates must be currently authorised firearms officers (AFO) within their own force and have completed training compliant with the National Police Training Curriculum to qualify them in the use of: H&K G36 and MP5 Carbines, Glock 17 or 19 Self Loading Pistol, H&K Baton Gun, X26 Taser, Remington 870 Shotgun, or equivalent weapons.
pecialist weapons (SFO)
These weapons are commonly used by SFOs when a siege situation occurs.
Fully automatic weapons can be granted for special use in hostage rescue situations.
The following is commonly standard issue to
Specialist Firearms Officer s:* American
Remington 870 (shotgun ) mainly used fordoor breaching , never for shooting target [cite book |title=Armed Police, The Police Use of Firearms since 1945 |last=Waldren |first=Michael J. |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2007 |publisher=Sutton |location=England |isbn=0750946377 |pages=224]
* GermanHeckler & Koch PSG1 (sniper rifle )cite book |title=Armed Police, The Police Use of Firearms since 1945 |last=Waldren |first=Michael J. |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2007 |publisher=Sutton |location=England |isbn=0750946377 |pages=224] cite book |title=The Good Guys Wear Black |last=Collins |first=Steve |coauthors= |year=1998 |publisher=Arrow Books Ltd; New Ed edition |location=England |isbn=978-0099186823|pages=256 pages]
* German Heckler & Koch MSG90A1 (sniper rifle)
* American Riflecraft TMR1 (sniper rifle)
* Austrian Steyer7.62mm (sniper rifle)
* German Heckler & Koch MP5K (semi-automatic carbine)
* GermanHeckler & Koch 93 (sniper rifle) [ [http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread153344/pg2] ]
* German Heckler & Koch MP5SD (semi-automatic carbine, MP5 with integralsuppressor )
* GermanHeckler & Koch G36 (assault rifle)
* British L1A1 CS Gas Launcher (launches projectiles of irritant gas; "CS" or "PAVA")References
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