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Their weapons are not loaded: their ammo is in a sealed plastic bag and they must write tons of reports is they open one (last I heard about it, could have changed).

It's just more police patrolling around locations with lots of people.

by Laurent GUERBY on Tue Jun 5th, 2007 at 02:24:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Firstly they are soldiers, not policemen, so why the fuck are they doing policework, which they aren't trained for ?

Secondly, their weapons may be unloaded, but they certainly move around in a ready to fire look, sometimes with hands on the trigger.

It doesn't prevent anything, but is certainly efficient in making those who want to feel 'secure' (although it doesn't make them any more secure) better ; and in getting the general population used to seeing soldiers in the street (which is a bad thing).

Un roi sans divertissement est un homme plein de misères

by linca (antonin POINT lucas AROBASE gmail.com) on Tue Jun 5th, 2007 at 07:51:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]
And if a situation arises when they need to use their weapons, they will be toast before they can open the plastic bags.

Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Wed Jun 6th, 2007 at 07:40:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]
I have heard that Norwegian police patrols do not carry guns, instead they are in a locked box in the police car. So in case they think they need guns they are to retreat to the car, radio it in and then (if they still see no other way) get the guns.

I think it sounds sound.

Sweden's finest (and perhaps only) collaborative, leftist e-newspaper Synapze.se

by A swedish kind of death on Wed Jun 6th, 2007 at 08:45:33 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Yes you are correct in what you have heard.  Usually the Norwegian police officers have to have the authorization from the police commissioner before they can carry guns.  

Bitsofnews.com Giving you the latest bits.
by Gjermund E Jansen (gjans1@hotmail.com) on Wed Jun 6th, 2007 at 07:41:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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