O.K. is this just one of those myths (re: London police shooting)..

I thought UK police didn't carry guns? Is that one of those things someone told me once that I never questioned and took as truth even though it's not? Or is it just that no citizens in the UK carry guns? I've never been over there so I honestly don't know. I've just always been under that impression. I'm obviously wrong, but I'm wondering if there is a more general source for my misconception than a friend, aquaintance or relative givine me erroneous information at a young age that I kept with me for too long.

I guess they do now.

These were undercover, plainclothes cops...

They do not routinely carry guns. But certain key facilities (airports, parliaments) are guarded by armed police and at times of heightened national security, armed police will patrol certain vulnerable areas.

--------------------

Remember Fallujah

Bush to The Hague!

...well I probably am, but just not for this reason. This one I'm only 50-75% idiot on.

guns, but (of course!) there are armed response units which are trained to use firearms and used for situations which require them. They are sometimes used in a preventative or "guarding" capacity, as well as for responses to incidents.

"SO19 Force Firearms Unit

SO19 is the name given to the department, which provides firearms-related support to the rest of the Metropolitan Police Service. It consists of a small group of officers who are highly trained and motivated in dealing with most aspects of the criminal use of firearms. It exists so that the vast majority of policing activities throughout London can be conducted in the traditional manner by unarmed officers."

http://www.met.police.uk/so19/

"Armed Response Units (ARV's) &
Specialist Firearms Officers (SFO's)

The Metropolitan Police Service first introduced 'Armed Response Vehicles' to the streets of London in 1991.

These vehicles are crewed by uniformed officers who have been selected and trained to stabilise and control armed incidents, stop and search suspects, their vehicles and to search premises for armed suspects.

These officers are the first 'Armed officers' to arrive on the scene and in serious cases can call for the support of specialist firearms teams."

http://www.met.police.uk/so19/arv.htm