Since the recent Cumbria shootings and the incidents with gunman Raoul Moat, some say that if police were allowed to carry guns then they would have been able to stop people like the Cumbrian gunman Derrick Bird from killing and injuring others.

This is a subject of fierce debate, some believe that if police officers should have firearms so they can stop serious situations immediately without armed teams having to travel to get to a reported incident.

But some say that putting more weapons on the street (even in the hands of police) will do more harm than good.

What is your Perspective? if you want you can post a comment below and get involved in the debate.

Author: Caleb Law age: 13