No Not In 20/30S Chicago, But London 2013

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2332792/Ricardo-Miles-Moment-gangsters-bicycles-opened-police-officers-unmarked-car.html

If our Police had been armed, we might have saved some money by not having to send these pieces of scum to jail, agree?

[anotheoldgit]

And still it goes on.

http://www.lbc.co.uk/tottenham-boy-attacked-by-armed-gang-in-unprovoked-attack-72773

and on

http://www.lbc.co.uk/four-gang-members-guilty-of-negus-mclean-murder-72703

[EdmundD]

"The four were given life sentences.

Hamilton was ordered to serve a minimum of 19 years, Edwards 17 years, Lariba 16-and-a-half years and Bowman 12-and-a-half years"

So they'll all be in their 30s when they come out. How does a 12-and-half year sentence become a life sentence?

[jim360]

Saved money, perhaps -- not sure it would have been the best thing though. Arming the police in specific situations is obviously vital but having them armed as a matter of course is potentially very dangerous, for two main reasons:

-- Firstly, if Criminals know the police will be armed, it does not deter them but usually gives them more reason to be armed even heavier themselves

-- Secondly, it only takes one of these stories: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20730718

[jake-the-peg]

Well edmund it's the difference between a sentence and a tarriff

This is often a source of confusion for people.

A sentence is a penalty, not a time in gaol.

You can be sentenced to community service, or to pay a fine for example.

A life sentence means that you are never discharged from the offence, you can be let out of gaol but can have parole conditions for the rest of your life and be recalled to gaol if you break them.

A tarrif is the minimum term you spend in prison. What you are thinking of I think is a 'Whole Life Tarriff' typically imposed for child abduction and murder, multiple murders etc.

You cannot be sentenced to a Whole life tarrif if you are under 21 at the time of the offence

[ToraToraTora]

ahh, the old tarriff/sentence game. How long will they spend in jail? That's what the public care about not the liberal methods of putting lowlives back on the streets using some sort of gramatical differentiation.

[Zeuhl]

/gramatical /

PMSL

[Old_Geezer]

The aim should be to get the guns off the street, not add to them and encourage more. Who cares if a little money is not saved, as long as we make the place a better place to live not one where authorities patrol us decent citizens carrying firearms, and then find they need to do so. Nightmare scenario.

[anotheoldgit]

Old_Geezer

Do you find it a nightmare when you move around abroad, because I don't even though all the police carry firearms?

[Zeuhl]

Neither have I aog

But in France/USA/Greece/Italy/Germany how often have you ever seen Locals approaching their armed police officers and asking for directions etc?

[daisya]

To rid this country of any scum is a job well done in my book whoever they are. However I do prefer prevention rather than cure...but that would have some of this country up in arms IMO so it's business as usual carry on regardless...good old UK let it all happen.

[Zeuhl]

/so it's business as usual carry on regardless...good old UK let it all happen./

Well done daisy for standing up for the traditional British way of doing things

[daisya]

Zeuhl..I purposely didn't mention my idea of prevention, you lot would have me thrown out in a heartbeat! I don't support this country in its soft way of IMO bowing to all and sundry, there's no one in government who has the b alls to stand up and be counted. You of course know I was being sarky..we aren't going to change here anytime soon. Keep on keeping on...this country is fckd IMO and will only get worse! Sorry, I trust that doesn't offend anyone (smile.)

[sandyRoe]

Daniel Ikumelo appears to have Rosary Beads around his neck. There must be some good there still.

[Zeuhl]

Interesting point of view daisy

I was wondering which alternative country you would consider living in

[ChillDoubt]

Daniel Ikumelo appears to have Rosary Beads around his neck. There must be some good there still.
--------------------------------
Indeed. Maybe he could administer the last rites to one of his potential victims, shot in the street?

[daisya]

Did I say I would choose an alternative country Z? I would prefer change to old values here rather than what it has become...but that's another story for those of us who have held those values dear!

[Zeuhl]

Ahaa

the 'turning back time' approach

No evidence of that ever working daisy - sorry and all that

[daisya]

Not at all Z..just sticking to common sense values..there's a lot about today that is good but the values have gone IMO. Please don't try to make out I am saying something I am not (smile)

[Zeuhl]

/the values have gone IMO/

Well by definition they can't have gone - but no doubt they have altered

Apart from it being a natural process, that alteration (or evolution) has no doubt changed many things for the better; I'm sure you are not proposing a comprehensive reversion to a Britain of (say) the 1950s

And thinking we can pick and choose the changes we want and those we don't want often overlooks the fact that both are rooted in the same place

[bazwillrun]

blacks in gang and with guns...well whoda thought it eh !