When it comes to law enforcement, guns are an important piece of equipment. After all, they’re responsible for protecting the public from dangerous criminals on a daily basis. However, not every police officer is equipped with the same type of gun. Depending on their job description and daily tasks, these professionals might carry different types of weapons for different situations. Here’s a quick overview of the primary guns used by police officers:
What Guns Do Police Carry?
The gun that a police officer carries depends on the department and the type of work they do. Most police officers carry a firearm as part of their uniform. This firearm is usually a pistol, but may also be a rifle or shotgun. Some departments also issue weapons designed for more dangerous situations, such as SWAT teams that may have assault rifles. Depending on their duties, officers may also have access to less-lethal weapons, such as Tasers or pepper spray.
What Types Of Guns Are Carried By Police?
Handguns
Handguns are the most prevalent type of gun in the United States, so it’s no surprise that they’re used by police officers as well. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and calibers, which means that you can find one that suits your personal needs. Some of the most common types of handguns used by police officers are revolvers and semi-automatic pistols. Revolvers are usually 6-shot weapons that are loaded through a revolving cylinder. They’re often considered more reliable than semi-automatic pistols, but they’re also bulkier and slower to reload. Semi-automatic pistols are often preferred since they’re lighter and easier to conceal. They’re also more versatile since some models have a detachable magazine, which allows you to quickly reload by swapping the magazine out. If you’re shopping for a handgun, you can choose from a wide variety of calibers. The most common types used by police officers are 9mm, 38 Special, and .40 S&W.
Rifle
If you’re in a situation that requires more than just a handgun, you may want to consider bringing a rifle as well. Rifles are usually preferred in situations that are higher risk, such as when you’re dealing with an armed assailant. Some of the most common types of rifles used by police officers are pump-action, semi-automatic, and bolt-action rifles. Pump-action rifles are usually preferred by law enforcement since they’re lightweight and easy to clean. Semi-automatic rifles are also common since they’re designed to fire quickly and accurately. Bolt-action rifles, on the other hand, are used mostly for hunting and long-distance shooting. Rifles are usually used for long-range shooting, but some can also be used for short-range combat. The most common types of rifles used by police officers are the AR-15, M-16, and M-14.
Taser
While police officers typically try to avoid using deadly force, there are times when they need to use force against a dangerous suspect. A stun gun or taser can help to subdue the suspect without causing serious injury. While most law enforcement officers prefer the traditional stun gun, some departments are beginning to use a newer model that shoots darts. The advantage of the dart model is that it can be used from a long distance without putting the officer at risk. The disadvantage is that it can sometimes be more dangerous since the darts can be left inside the body.
Pepper spray
If you’re dealing with a non-violent suspect, an easy way to subdue them is with pepper spray. Pepper spray is a type of chemical weapon that can temporarily incapacitate a person. Although it’s considered non-lethal, it can still cause serious damage to the eyes and skin. Police officers typically keep a canister of pepper spray in their pockets so that they can quickly subdue an unruly suspect.
Should You Become A Police Officer?
- If you want to become a police officer, it’s important to make sure that this is the right career path for you. Police officers have very demanding schedules, and the job can be very stressful.
- It’s also important to remember that becoming a police officer is a long process. You’ll need to complete a few years of college, pass a rigorous application process, and attend training before you can start work.
- If you want to become a police officer, make sure that you know what you’re getting into.
Why Do Police Carry Guns?
To Deter Potential Criminals
One of the main reasons why police officers carry guns is to deter potential criminals. If criminals know that police officers are carrying lethal weapons, they are less likely to escalate any encounters with police. If criminals don’t know what type of weapon the officer is carrying, they might feel like they have the upper hand and get bolder with their actions and words. When criminals feel more confident, they are more likely to initiate violence or even attack police officers. When criminals know that police officer have guns, they are less likely to do either of these things. That isn’t to say criminals are always deterred by the presence of guns. Some criminals are so reckless or desperate that they are willing to risk getting shot just so they can get what they want. But many criminals would rather not risk it.
To Protect Police Officers
Depending on the type of call that police officers are responding to, they might encounter individuals who are extremely upset, extremely intoxicated, or even extremely violent. In some of these situations, the individuals will have no regard for the police officer’s safety, and they may even feel like they have nothing to lose. In these situations, it is better for police officers to carry guns than non-lethal weapons. Why? Because a gun gives police officers a chance to protect themselves. If an individual is violent and out of control, the police officer might need to use their gun to stop the individual and protect themselves from getting seriously injured. If the police officer were to use a Taser or pepper spray instead, they might not hit the target, and the individual would still be just as angry and just as violent towards the police officer.
To Protect The Public
Another reason why police officers carry guns is to protect the public. Now, this reason may seem a little confusing because guns are often used to protect police officers. But carrying guns also help protect members of the public from violent crimes such as robbery, assault, rape, and murder. How? Well, when police officers carry guns, criminals often think twice about trying to rob, assault, or even kill people. Some criminals may not care about getting shot and may attempt to rob or commit a violent crime anyway, but many criminals don’t want to risk getting shot in the process.
To Enforce The Law And Maintain Order
Carrying guns is also a major benefit of being a police officer because it helps them enforce the law and maintain order in society. While police officers are trained to protect the public from harm, they are also trained to enforce the law. And when the law is broken, they must take action. So, if a police officer comes across someone committing a crime, they must do their duty and arrest the criminal. But, what if the criminal doesn’t want to go quietly? What if they want to fight with the police officer or even get violent? What if they decide to challenge the authority of the police officer? Well, carrying a gun helps police officer to maintain order and enforce the law.
To Stop Violent Crimes From Happening
Another reason why police officers carry guns is to stop violent crimes from happening in the first place. Now, this may seem impossible, but it is actually a very real possibility. When police officers are trained to respond to a call and are armed with a gun, they may be able to stop an individual from committing a violent crime or even prevent a mass shooting from happening. For example, imagine a man walks into a school with a gun and starts shooting people. The police officers in the area are called and respond. By the time they arrive, there are already many people injured and possibly even death. When the police officers arrive at the scene, they are immediately fired upon by the shooter. If they don’t have guns, they’ll have to either try to stop the shooter without using lethal force or wait for another armed officer to arrive to help them. But, if the police officers have guns, they may be able to stop the shooter from harming anyone else.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many different types of guns that police officers use. Each one serves a specific purpose and is designed for certain situations. If you’re looking for a new gun, you can start by considering the type of equipment that your local police officers use.
