Do you feel afraid if you notice law enforcement have submachine guns at the airport?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 21:33:42 -0500

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Dec 21 at 2016 9:36 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 21:36:16 -0500

Why should it scare me. There are times I wish I had one

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2016 9:38 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 21:38:26 -0500

I Like to carry to....so why cant they have them

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Dec 21 at 2016 9:39 PM

TSgt Joe C. — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 21:39:47 -0500

Afraid, nope; they're just doing their job IMO LTC Private RallyPoint Member

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2016 9:43 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 21:43:41 -0500

It's pot smoking anti military liberals in Canada who probably made the comments on the radio and newspaper.

Response by SFC George Smith made Dec 21 at 2016 9:45 PM

SFC George Smith — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 21:45:44 -0500

No... why should I... the LEO's are not the problem...

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2016 9:46 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 21:46:01 -0500

No, I traveled all over Europe in the 90's and they had them. They also have them in Colombia and some south American Countries when I worked down there, but they were working with us so I guess that is different. Remember they had troops after 911 for about a year with M-16's and M-4's

Response by SPC Kevin Ford made Dec 21 at 2016 9:52 PM

SPC Kevin Ford — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 21:52:23 -0500

No, but wouldn't feel particularly safer as I don't feel unsafe at the airport now.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2016 9:57 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 21:57:18 -0500

The only reason it would bother me is because I think that it's an outdated idea. I'd rather see them carrying ARs than MP5s

Response by SSG Jeremy Sharp made Dec 21 at 2016 9:58 PM

SSG Jeremy Sharp — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 21:58:28 -0500

I understand that weapons are merely the tools of law enforcement and soldiers worldwide. German Polizei walked around constantly with submachine guns while I lived over there in the 1980s-90s. As a police chief, I often carry a 12 gauge shotgun and a fully automatic M-4 rifle. It is a sign of the times concerning attacks of both terrorists and cop killers(who I consider to be domestic terrorists). I am not made nervous by the enhancement of the weapons carried by law enforcement but instead I am made hopeful that a better equipped police force will be better able to thwart violent criminal offenders attempting to exert their will and circle of influence over innocent citizens of this or any other country.

Response by Austin Hocutt made Dec 21 at 2016 10:05 PM

Austin Hocutt — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 22:05:14 -0500

If it scares you, then you should live in a padded room, while being encased in bubble wrap cause... the world is scary.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Dec 21 at 2016 10:07 PM

LTC John Shaw — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 22:07:44 -0500

This is common in many middle East countries airports, I prefer some type of armed security presence.

Response by SP5 Joel O'Brien made Dec 21 at 2016 10:09 PM

SP5 Joel O'Brien — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 22:09:57 -0500

It was seeing Mexican 'military' with automatic weapons a few years ago as we prepared for a visit to Tulum that was upsetting to me.

Response by SGT Damaso V Santana made Dec 21 at 2016 10:20 PM

SGT Damaso V Santana — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 22:20:45 -0500

Way to go! Best way to deal with the muslim radical cowards!

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Dec 21 at 2016 11:41 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 23:41:50 -0500

LTC Private RallyPoint Member, the German Polizei were carrying submachine guns in airports in the early eighties. It didn't bother me then, and it doesn't bother me now.

Response by Cpl Joshua Caldwell made Dec 21 at 2016 11:46 PM

Cpl Joshua Caldwell — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 23:46:18 -0500

Nope not at all. The threat evolves all the time, sometimes the enemy plans to overwhelm law enforcement with numbers of attackers. The enemy also has the advantage of surprise, because they can initiate the attack at any moment. I say give the good guys more ammo, and better weapons.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Dec 22 at 2016 4:36 AM

Capt Tom Brown — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 04:36:07 -0500

It doesn't bother me the police have firepower to match that of the bad guys; I don't feel any safer tho; it does bother me that the police are forced to carry such firepower. World Terrorism has a leg up on US and soon it will be to late to do much about it. eg Europe and elsewhere.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Dec 22 at 2016 7:26 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 07:26:39 -0500

Doesn't bother me in the least, they need the fire power that you don't get from a pistol.

Response by SSgt Ray Stone made Dec 22 at 2016 8:16 AM

SSgt Ray Stone — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 08:16:20 -0500

As a Black Man yes

Response by Col Carl Whicker made Dec 22 at 2016 9:50 AM

Col Carl Whicker — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 09:50:08 -0500

I was stationed in Germany from 1980-83 and again 1986-89 and the Polizei had sub machine guns in the Rhein Main Flughafen every time I traveled through. I felt safer than ever. Of course I was also at Ramstein when the bombs went off at HQ USAFE and the bombs at Rhein Main occurred just before my family and I were stationed there in 1986. Terrorism was very real at the time, although it was based on Marxism, it was nonetheless deadly. We need to revive some of the anti-terrorism techniques use in the 1980s to protect against the Islamist Terrorists of today.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2016 9:52 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 09:52:39 -0500

Didn't bother me a bit when I first landed in Frankfurt and saw how well armed the Polizei were.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Dec 22 at 2016 10:06 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 10:06:59 -0500

Not the gun, the mask thing is what makes me nervous. If the guys are masked then it's easier in my mind for a foe to infiltrate, as teams tend to recognize each others faces.

Response by 1SG Dennis Hicks made Dec 22 at 2016 10:20 AM

1SG Dennis Hicks — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 10:20:54 -0500

I feel safer than in one of those Liberal GUN FREE Zones, the only thing I would like better is to carry my 1911A1.

Response by MSgt Richard Randall made Dec 22 at 2016 10:39 AM

MSgt Richard Randall — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 10:39:38 -0500

The first time I flew into Schiphol I noticed a number of two man teams dressed in black armed with Uzis or MP-5s sort of standing in the shadows watching the passengers. I didn't feel threatened at all, however, I still had to wonder, ...what do they know that I don't?

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2016 10:40 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 10:40:05 -0500

If you travel the world, you will see a lot more/better security measures that are blatantly on display. Most world nations don't cater to snowflakes who get their feeling hurt by everything. If you get scared by automatic weaponry, you best stay away from Israel, or Mexico City airport, for that matter.

Response by SGT William Howell made Dec 22 at 2016 10:45 AM

SGT William Howell — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 10:45:45 -0500

When i was a FTO on our police department I always tought young rookies "A pistol is only used to get to your rifle." There is a time and a place for long guns. It looks like these guys came ready for a gun fight.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2016 11:33 AM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 11:33:55 -0500

No, I'm not worried about the LEO having an SMG
I'm worried WHY (potential threat) he's openly carrying one.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2016 11:45 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 11:45:49 -0500

I've been in places where private security guards carry shotguns in the movie theater, so no

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2016 11:54 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 11:54:25 -0500

Providing they have had adequate training and are proficient in that weapon, drive on.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2016 12:00 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 12:00:48 -0500

I wish as military personnel we could carry ourselves without a permit provided we were thoroughly vetted I honestly think the more mature, trained, and responsible people who are armed can lessen certain situations all over this world or atleast the United States

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Dec 22 at 2016 12:14 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 12:14:40 -0500

No problem

Response by SSgt Boyd Welch made Dec 22 at 2016 12:37 PM

SSgt Boyd Welch — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 12:37:49 -0500

No. Anytime I flew into Skipohl Airport, the police had automatic weapons.

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Dec 22 at 2016 1:41 PM

CPT Jim Schwebach — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 13:41:27 -0500

SMG's have been a common sight on security forces in Europe and the Middle East since the Seventies. Depending on where you were the security forces were either police or military. Didn't bother me then and doesn't bother me now.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Dec 22 at 2016 1:56 PM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 13:56:57 -0500

Not unless I was a criminal.

Response by SFC Michael W. made Dec 22 at 2016 5:24 PM

SFC Michael W. — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 17:24:43 -0500

Hell no! Law enforcement needs all the firepower available to deal with terrorists! Germany and South Korea carries them and I felt more secured knowing they do have the means to respond to a threat!

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Dec 22 at 2016 5:32 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 17:32:38 -0500

When I made my First tour to Germany and I saw that that Great for them to be that alert in a Airport and Made me Feel Really safe.
SSG MARK FRANZEN
USA VET

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2016 11:18 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 23:18:33 -0500

nope, if it was 2003 and BIAP would local citizens fear for the secured safety in the airport?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2016 10:33 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Dec 2016 10:33:42 -0500

Doesn't bother me in the least bit. Too bad we (US) take a more pro active approach to threat deterant as our neighbors in Europe.

Nothing says "think real hard before you do something stupid" than fully armed LEO's. And yes I've been to Germany, and the Polizei don't play around.

Response by 1SG Al Brown made Dec 24 at 2016 4:54 PM

1SG Al Brown — Sat, 24 Dec 2016 16:54:30 -0500

I remember walking through Frankfurt Airport back in the early 90's and a female Polizei Officer had an MP5 strapped over her back. I thought it was a brilliant deterrent.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2016 8:25 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Dec 2016 08:25:36 -0500

LTC Private RallyPoint Member - Wouldn't bother me at all - as long as they are subsonic. Indeed, maybe they could screw on a silencer too, so if they get in firefight at least they would not add undue noise to either their tactical communications, orders, and/or to the already noisey airport environment. Of course, we are talking about law enforcement or troops - not contractors. Maybe all law enforcement officers - particularly those likely to be called into a tactical combat situation should be equipped with submachine guns and silencers? Warmest Regards, Sandy :)

Response by PVT Raymond Lopez made Dec 27 at 2016 10:40 PM

PVT Raymond Lopez — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 22:40:32 -0500

No, I carried both Uzi and MP 5 Submachine at work and they kept the idiots from hurting anyone!!

Response by SPC Byron Skinner made Dec 27 at 2016 11:07 PM

SPC Byron Skinner — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 23:07:10 -0500

Sp4 Byron Skinner No I don't feel afraid to see a law enforcement officers carrying and SMG's (in the US usual and MP-5 from what I've seen) One must assume that the law enforcement officers are trained officers who know the correct protocol of caring an exposed weapon in public. In response does it make me feel safer, no. If a gunman (terrorist) has got as far as the airport lobby or check in he/she is good and suicidal, the presence of two law enforcement officers with SMG's would only mean target.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Dec 27 at 2016 11:36 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 23:36:21 -0500

Nothing More Disturbing than going thru Heathrow and a Policeman passes me with an Uzi Flipping the Safety on and off. Depends on the Situation.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2016 1:11 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 01:11:24 -0500

It doesn't bother me one bit. In the 80s when I would fly between Germany and the states the Germans had under cover officers in the airports in long leather trench coats with uzis under both arms. They also had little strip search rooms in the middle of the airport with just a curtain to block the view.

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Dec 29 at 2016 11:18 AM

LTJG Richard Bruce — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 11:18:15 -0500

Those carrying such weapons should be highly trained on how to interact with crowds. Physical separation is vital to protect the weapon and the crowd. It only takes seconds for a guard to be disarmed.

Response by SSgt Robert Marx made Dec 29 at 2016 3:16 PM

SSgt Robert Marx — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 15:16:02 -0500

I find it sad that the use of deadly force by the civilian magistrates is necessary but I would rather see the good guys well armed than criminals seeking targets and then engaging them. Getting killed because I had an airline ticket would ruin that day for me.

Response by SPC William Szkromiuk made Dec 29 at 2016 7:24 PM

SPC William Szkromiuk — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 19:24:16 -0500

The Spanish Police were carrying SG back in 1966 and before. The terrorist issue??? Basque.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiNnZuT05rRAhVm64MKHUQsA6QQFggtMAM&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FBasque_conflict&usg=AFQjCNEv7y6W-U5bYq18-CiUVokltsgzjg&sig2=UUidKf7vWv9Sk5Hz-6zePA&bvm=bv.142059868,d.amc

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Response by SGT Richard McArthur made Dec 29 at 2016 7:42 PM

SGT Richard McArthur — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 19:42:05 -0500

Not really. I might prefer semi-auto strictly, but it is not my call.

Response by PFC Francis Ramseyer made Dec 30 at 2016 8:04 AM

PFC Francis Ramseyer — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 08:04:01 -0500

Response by MSgt Don Dobbs made Dec 30 at 2016 1:38 PM

MSgt Don Dobbs — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 13:38:21 -0500

Go overseas and you shall see 18 yr olds carrying automatic weapons in the street, at airports, and train stations. In some countries if you don't follow their orders they will open fire.

Response by SFC Bill Snyder made Dec 30 at 2016 8:33 PM

SFC Bill Snyder — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 20:33:53 -0500

No, but I would crap in my pants if I saw armed TSA socalled agents.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2017 10:35 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 10:35:51 -0500

It doesn't bother me that the polezei have them.
If the TSA had them, it would scare the crap out of me because the TSA are idiots.

Response by SSG Mannix Brooks made Jan 18 at 2017 8:13 AM

SSG Mannix Brooks — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 08:13:34 -0500

No. I saw it in Germany a long time before all these random airport attacks around the world and the US. and the psychological effect seems to work. Germans do not just post up at the checkpoints they have visible and hidden security devices and people throughout the airport. Our large to medium airports have security and best believe it you try something you will be dealt with but the lack of visual deterrence can be the few seconds a person feels brave enough to try something. The major problem is our municipal, regional and private airports need a major upgrade. Security awareness today seems to revolve around information security right now with people guarding their assets and personal information and some with their head in the clouds on social media so much that people seem to have forgotten the physical element of security. Cyber security specialist get paid well and I'm IT but those who provide personal security should also have an upgrade in pay and training because in today's world nothing can be taken for granted.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Jan 18 at 2017 8:42 AM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 08:42:18 -0500

Why on earth should this scare anyone? Will have to admit that the first time I ever saw this was when I arrived at an airport in Turkey in the early 80s not long after a coup. Seemed strange, but also sent the message that they weren't fooling around with security.

Response by SSgt Dwight Deatherage made Jan 18 at 2017 10:28 AM

SSgt Dwight Deatherage — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 10:28:49 -0500

This young troop would be standing tall in front of the First Sergeant within the next few minutes.

Response by TSgt Tim (lj) Littlejohn made Jan 24 at 2017 10:12 AM

TSgt Tim (lj) Littlejohn — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 10:12:11 -0500

It's just a very sad to see how the world has become a battleground! As a young boy I love to go to the airport so see the excitement of people, leaving, arriving. To watch the planes landing and taking off. Now even the people traveling hate what they have to go through!

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2017 11:14 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 11:14:06 -0500

LTC Private RallyPoint Member Weapons in the hands of trained security personnel scare me a lot less than weapons in the hands of drug dealers, cop killers, murderers, rapists, and so on.

I do think such weapons should have selective fire. There aren't a lot of situations with civilians around where "spray and pray" is the right answer. But given what happened in France a while back (terrorist using a truck as a lawnmower to kill people) fully auto might be the right answer.

It's the training of the user that counts, not the weapon itself.

Response by SPC Randy Torgerson made Jan 24 at 2017 1:59 PM

SPC Randy Torgerson — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 13:59:08 -0500

I won't answer you only 2 choices. I don't feel safer nor more fearful. I just think its dumb and way unnecessary. I am assuming your talking about USA locations.

Response by PO1 Richard Nyberg made Jan 31 at 2017 4:12 PM

PO1 Richard Nyberg — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 16:12:11 -0500

I was raised as an Army Brat and lived in Germany most of my life until I went into the Army myself after high school in Germany, I saw the German State Police in the airport in Frankfurt in full tactical gear all the time and I never thought twice about it. I always felt safe there when I traveled by air or by train because of that

Response by MSG John Hickey made Feb 8 at 2017 4:41 PM

MSG John Hickey — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 16:41:09 -0500

Anytime a cop has a gun it scares me. Cops can't shoot worth a darn.

Response by CSM Thomas McGarry made Feb 8 at 2017 5:14 PM

CSM Thomas McGarry — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 17:14:04 -0500

Not at all-It's been that way in Europe (Germany) for years!!

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Feb 8 at 2017 6:18 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 18:18:05 -0500

They Have them in Frankfurt Germany at the Airport.
SSG MARK FRANZEN
USA VET

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2017 12:17 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 12:17:33 -0500

It's not that I don't want law enforcement to have a weapon, but I don't want to over-militarize them either. There is no way your average police officer has enough training to be competent with a submachine gun. Let them master an M9 and when the problem goes beyond that capability call in someone else.

Response by MSG Reid Zohfeld made Feb 14 at 2017 6:40 AM

MSG Reid Zohfeld — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 06:40:34 -0500

We should see it more Any foreign airport you see the same

Response by A1C Christopher Kirsch made Feb 14 at 2017 7:53 AM

A1C Christopher Kirsch — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 07:53:30 -0500

No feel safer

Response by SSG J Allen Rousseau made Feb 23 at 2017 8:45 PM

SSG J Allen Rousseau — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 20:45:32 -0500

i was in Germany '84 till '91 in the cold war time.. and in the airport there they use Uzi there!!!

Response by CPL Jonathan Howard made Feb 28 at 2017 9:07 AM

CPL Jonathan Howard — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 09:07:04 -0500

Sub machine guns and the personnel manning them are there for presence. How many times in world history have there been shootouts at the airport worthy of being made into a Bruce Willis movie. Now if I showed up and there were 1500 bomb sniffing dogs I might get nervous over that.

Response by SSgt John Wagner made Feb 28 at 2017 11:38 PM

SSgt John Wagner — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 23:38:01 -0500

It is not a problem for me in fact I welcome their presence.

Response by CPO Earl Osborn made Mar 1 at 2017 10:15 PM

CPO Earl Osborn — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 22:15:12 -0500

Not a bit. The only folks that should be afraid are the bad guys.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 1 at 2017 11:22 PM

COL Charles Williams — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 23:22:51 -0500

No, I feel better...