List of countries in which police don't carry guns, including countries where police shootings are impossible.
Rimu - 3w
In New Zealand they don't carry guns on their person but they do have a handgun and semi-automatic rifle in their car at all times. They're in a locked box.
10
atro_city - 3w
There must be a horror or sci-fi movie/series where a copper runs to the car and fumbles around trying to get the keys to the guns only to be ripped away by some monster because they took too long.
0
jaschen306 @sh.itjust.works - 3w
In Taiwan, not every officer carries guns. Only a select type of officer carries guns. They are also trained to only use it in a truly life or death situation.
Maybe the article is misunderstanding some Chinese legalese or is only counting neighborhood watchmen, but many municipal Chinese police officers carry rifles and pistols.
6
RobotToaster - 3w
It seems to be based on if it's universal or not.
AFAIK China generally prefers to let the PAP handle armed response.
2
bitofarambler - 3w
Yup, the People's Armed Police of China all carry firearms as well.
1
LumiNocta @lemmy.zip - 3w
In the Netherlands real cops carry guns but there are also "enforcers" that dont carry a weapon.
If a cop fires a weapon they are directly under investigation to check if it was called for.
In the few cases that cops actually shoot. They usually are in a life death situation, where someone is holding a weapon and threatening them or others with it.
If a cop pulls his weapon and aims it. It could already be a crime for them if there is no valid reason.
American cops pull a gun any chance they see fit, which only escalates a non violent situation. They are not trying to de-escalate most situations and scream alot. Almost as if they know they're not trustworthy.
5
HubertManne - 3w
It seems in my area if a cop discharges a weapon there is always an investigation but cops still pull and fire under flimsy circumstances. One recent court case from a few years ago the cop was scared he would be attacked by boiling water from an old lady. Sorta feel like thats the time to use the tazer if your actually worried.
1
philpo @feddit.org - 3w
Norway
As of July 1, 2025, Norwegian police officers are generally armed while on duty, following a parliamentary decision in June 2025 to amend the Police Act.
Ireland:
And of course the Irish Gardai have around 25% of their officer carry guns.
The modern Botswana police service is an armed police service of 8500 officers, including 2000 female officers
Iceland:
Although police officers carry only extendable batons and MK-4 OC-spray (pepper spray) whilst on duty, some officers have started to carry tasers but they are trained in the use of firearms and are issued firearms in certain situations.[29]
Most patrol vehicles are equipped with firearms in order to limit the response time needed in assignments that demand armed police.
US Virgin Island
For the US Virgin Island Police Departement I could not find a written source, but literally every photo of their officers shows them armed - even in community functions,etc.
In other words I would consider them armed.
Sunshine in publichealth
Countries Where Police Don't Carry Guns 2025
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-where-police-dont-carry-gunsList of countries in which police don't carry guns, including countries where police shootings are impossible.
In New Zealand they don't carry guns on their person but they do have a handgun and semi-automatic rifle in their car at all times. They're in a locked box.
There must be a horror or sci-fi movie/series where a copper runs to the car and fumbles around trying to get the keys to the guns only to be ripped away by some monster because they took too long.
In Taiwan, not every officer carries guns. Only a select type of officer carries guns. They are also trained to only use it in a truly life or death situation.
I never heard of a cop shooting here
It is very common for police in China to carry firearms.
Maybe the article is misunderstanding some Chinese legalese or is only counting neighborhood watchmen, but many municipal Chinese police officers carry rifles and pistols.
It seems to be based on if it's universal or not.
AFAIK China generally prefers to let the PAP handle armed response.
Yup, the People's Armed Police of China all carry firearms as well.
In the Netherlands real cops carry guns but there are also "enforcers" that dont carry a weapon.
If a cop fires a weapon they are directly under investigation to check if it was called for.
In the few cases that cops actually shoot. They usually are in a life death situation, where someone is holding a weapon and threatening them or others with it.
If a cop pulls his weapon and aims it. It could already be a crime for them if there is no valid reason.
American cops pull a gun any chance they see fit, which only escalates a non violent situation. They are not trying to de-escalate most situations and scream alot. Almost as if they know they're not trustworthy.
It seems in my area if a cop discharges a weapon there is always an investigation but cops still pull and fire under flimsy circumstances. One recent court case from a few years ago the cop was scared he would be attacked by boiling water from an old lady. Sorta feel like thats the time to use the tazer if your actually worried.
Norway
(Source: [Wikipedia] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_Police_Service) )
Ireland: And of course the Irish Gardai have around 25% of their officer carry guns.
Iceland:
US Virgin Island
For the US Virgin Island Police Departement I could not find a written source, but literally every photo of their officers shows them armed - even in community functions,etc. In other words I would consider them armed.
Canada needs to disarm the police!