China: Traffic cops get machine guns
Do Chinese street cops need more weapons? On the same day earlier this month that it was reported urban riot police in one southern city were undergoing training to use crossbows, a new program began in south-central China's Chongqing Municipality which, in addition to handguns and bulletproof vests, would see traffic police there equipped with machine guns every night after nine for the purpose of carrying out drunk driving and traffic violation spot checks.
Sina blogger Zhou Pengan who made the two-city connection above points out that current police firearm regulations make it illegal for machine guns to be used in routine traffic control work. The People's Police—quite different in nature from the People's Armed Police—Wikipedia entry puts the usage limit for lethal weapons at [to] “be used if necessary to stop violent riots, to lessen the overall loss of life, or to subdue surrounded but still resisting criminals. The regulations even governed use of sirens, police lights, and whistles.”
Zhou opines:
作为特警，为了应付各种突发事件，多装备一两样武器也是很有必要的，但将老祖宗们使用过的弓弩升级一下用于防暴，我不知道它具有什么优势？如果希望不置人于死地的话，催泪弹、催泪瓦斯显然效果更好；如果是希望击毙对方，则枪支的效果则更为明显。
The latter news received quite a bit of coverage, and no shortage of discussion. Sina, via Kaysky.cn, did a poll [photos included] on support for gun-toting traffic police, the response choices for which read:
1) I don't support this. Driving and walking at gunpoint is just too terrifying.
2) I support this. It's in accordance with the law and at the same time establishes police authority and deters crime, adding to citizens’ sense of security.
3) Whatever.
Readers of one post on this at the WHXF bbs left the following select comments:
我真的被震慑住了！以后再也不敢酒后驾车、不带证驾车。。。鸟。。。保住小命要紧啊！
直接戒严算了，反正满大街都是敌人。
建议用迫击炮，市民更放心。
恐怖中求河谐
一人发把枪，怪河蟹的
除了武警,还有武装交警
Writes one reader of the report at the NewsSSC bbs:
枪杆子里面出和谐，吼吼。
And the top comments left at Netease's report:
哈哈,谁违章毙了谁.好恐怖的JC
重庆有那么乱吗? 查个车还要持冲锋枪!!!晕!!!!
知道现在社会治安咋样了吧!连个交警都配枪,你以为是在老美啊,每个人都有枪.
最好每人再配个手榴弹，这样更威风！
发现违章当场击毙
7 comments
John, police carrying machine gun is old news here in the States:
http://www.lodgephoto.com/galleries/usa/newyork/downtown/pages/US-E-117.html
Charles Liu: Do you have a point?
I think what he thinks is what is implied is that China is a violent and barbaric country, and if assault-rifled traffic cops prove that China is a violent and barbaric country, then the United States must also be a violent and barbaric country.
Of course, these aren’t exactly the same, the NYC copper was probably part of a counter-terrorism unit, while in China it’s just traffic cops.
The point is that China is a backward country and we need to learn from more advance countries like the USA. If the USA sees a need for its police force to carry machine guns, then China ought to learn from the US and train its police to use machine guns too.
On the other hand, i can guarantee you that traffic cops in China will not carry machine guns in safe regions. I challenge John Kennedy to follow up on this and show evidence of traffic cops in Congqing carrying machine guns while writing parking tickets. A photograph will do.
The training is merely for their know how. So that they can be versatile and be transfered from one divison to another.
Chongqing’s traffic cops are carrying machine guns in fear of more public uprisings.
I do not live in China, but if I have to choose, I’d prefer USA cops to carry machine guns than some kids or chidzos carrying machin guns to schools and roaming the roads. . ..
From ABC News
Legislator Proposes Having Teachers Carry Guns
Wisconsin Proposal Would Allow Teachers to Carry Concealed Weapons
By ERIC HORNG
Oct. 5, 2006
After the deadly school shootings in Colorado, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, one legislator has proposed a plan that would actually put more guns in schools.
If teacher and student can carry guns to school, it is reasonable for Police carrying Guns. There are a lot of Police carrying Machine Guns in many other countries for security purpose.