Why do cops in some airports walk around with machine guns?

[StageLeft]

I've seen this in a couple of countries and it seems daft, rather like how guards in prison don't carry guns if they're mixed with the general population. A couple of policeman in an airport could be overpowered and then now some naughty people have some very powerful guns.

I say they should introduce those guns that only work if you're wearing an RFID ring, or just keep the "on the ground" cops lowly armed, and give the real weapons to guys not down with the masses.

 

Because a terrorist running through the airport with an automatic weapon would surely be caught within 10-20 seconds. I don't think the risk is that big, especially since those cops with automatic weapons are probably specially trained.

EDIT: also, terrorists' goals are not to kill a couple people with a machine gun. They want the big explosions that get hundreds of people. Stealing a machine gun from a cop is not high on most terrorists lists.

 

[dug777]

maybe they have small winkies

 

[Aves]

I'm quite interested in doing a study on how you come up with ideas for your threads; there seems to be no pattern.

I just need to figure out where to get the grant money.

 

[79Blazer]

NVM

 

[mercanucaribe]

The more civilians that die in the shootout, the higher they can raise the terror alert level.

 

[CrispyFried]

The terrorists already have automatic weapons.

 

[biostud]

Same reason why hornets have bright colors.

 

[OrganizedChaos]

don't worry there not loaded

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/3340706.htm

 

[CrispyFried]

Like they wouldnt have loaded magazines in their pockets?

 

[her209]

Because a machine gun can stop an exploding bomb.

 

[5ayle]

Originally posted by: jumpr
Because a terrorist running through the airport with an automatic weapon would surely be caught within 10-20 seconds. I don't think the risk is that big, especially since those cops with automatic weapons are probably specially trained.

EDIT: also, terrorists' goals are not to kill a couple people with a machine gun. They want the big explosions that get hundreds of people. Stealing a machine gun from a cop is not high on most terrorists lists.

Regardless, if not a terrorist a regular everday nut could get his hands on it. They should be high up like lifeguards or a mini-sentry tower.

And yes the posts are random.

 

[Schadenfreude]

Because a Bazooka isn't a good accessory with the rest of the ensamble.

Duh. :roll:

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: Jehovah
Because a Bazooka isn't a good accessory with the rest of the ensamble.

Duh. :roll:

Bazooka Joe!

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: CrispyFried
The terrorists already have automatic weapons.

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: biostud
Same reason why hornets have bright colors.

??
Why is that??

 

[alien42]

Originally posted by: cavemanmoron

Originally posted by: biostud
Same reason why hornets have bright colors.

??
Why is that??

its like WARNING: i can and will fvck you up. many insects have the same evolutionary devopment.

 

[pulse8]

Why do they tell us they've increased security at airports, but only served to move large groups of people from inside of the security checkpoint to outside?

 

[Deadtrees]

I think it's due to accuracy of machine guns over hand guns. If I'm in a crowded/open area far from a target, I'd never use a hand gun as its aim is just poor. Well...that's one of the primary reasons that I can think of(ex special forces squad leader here)

EDIT: BTW, having a machine gun doesn't mean blast of bullets.

 

[sharkeeper]

First to intimidate, second if use of force is necessary to bring a lot of firepower into tight area and squelch risk as quickly as possible. Full auto suits purpose well without excessive risk of collateral losses.

 

[BrokenVisage]

Because they touch themselves at night?

 

[mugs]

I think it's due to accuracy of machine guns over hand guns. If I'm in a crowded/open area far from a target, I'd never use a hand gun as its aim is just poor. Well...that's one of the primary reasons that I can think of(ex special forces squad leader here)

I'm not sure what airports Skoorb is talking about where they carry machine guns, but at least in the US they only carry SUB-machine guns. I assume that's what he's referring to, because it would be pretty impractical to carry around a machine gun. If they're going for accuracy, they'd carry a rifle. I think it's the scare factor more than anything.

 

[eigen]

It gets them laid.

 

[feelingshorter]

we cant be caught off guard, i doubt the cops are going to shoot civilians...

 

[bmacd]

i'm in the Army National Guard. When we had the ADSW gig at the airport, we'd carry an empty magazine and our m16a4s

-=bmacd=-