[Alf]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

There would have been alot more killed if they'd had guns rather than knives, does he not realise that?

You could also say, there would have been a lot less deaths were people armed and able to stop them.

[Lee.]

Originally Posted by Alf

You could also say, there would have been a lot less deaths were people armed and able to stop them.

Ordinary folk, out enjoying themselves with guns in their pockets? Untrained, scared and maybe full of the drunk? I'm sorry it'd have been a lot worse!

[ChristmasNeeve]

Originally Posted by Lee.

Ordinary folk, out enjoying themselves with guns in their pockets? Untrained, scared and maybe full of the drunk? I'm sorry it'd have been a lot worse!

Yup, bizarre suggestion imo

[Anaesthesia]

Originally Posted by Alf

You could also say, there would have been a lot less deaths were people armed and able to stop them.

I guess you could...but would you?

[Alf]

Originally Posted by Anaesthesia

I guess you could...but would you?

I'm just giving you the case of what the people on the other side of the debate are saying.

I'd just go by the laws of the land I live in.

[Anaesthesia]

Originally Posted by Alf

I'm just giving you the case of what the people on the other side of the debate are saying.

I'd just go by the laws of the land I live in.

Fair enough.

And as such, I think a rapid armed police response was all that was needed.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Alf

You could also say, there would have been a lot less deaths were people armed and able to stop them.

Not really. If it was in America, these people could legitimately have been armed with AR15's and wearing full body armour. It has happened in the US, multiple times.

A civilian with a handbag-gun isn't taking down someone in that gear. For one, the guns simply aren't guaranteed to do much damage even if they do hit their target, and for two, civilians with handguns generally have only ever fired them on a range and not in a real life live fire situation. In other words, they'll probably simply miss completely, and end up being one of the first ones shot for their efforts.