Gun Culture

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

My that’s a big gun you’ve got officer

Mirage reminds me about this story from last week of a bint from the British Association of Women in Policing (sounds like a sexist organisation to me) who claims that female firearms officers are more likely to have a negligent discharge (fnarr, fnarr) than the chaps because the guns are too big for their dainty little feminine hands.  Diddums.

There is a problem with guns because women have smaller hands. When you look at the guns being used, the grips are not comfortable for women to hold.  They could end up shooting themselves or one of their colleagues because they are not handling it properly.

Scary thought.  The horror doesn’t end there.

They have to wear men’s boots which are uncomfortable and lead to them getting blisters.
“They have to wear men’s shirts and trousers, which are very restrictive, they even have to do up their buttons backwards. And often the whole kit for specialist officers is only designed for men.”

Blisters.  Fancy that.  Oh and the ignomy of having to do your buttons up backwards!
So let’s get some smaller guns, then the men can struggle with guns that are too small.  That’ll solve the problem won’t it.
I keep getting this thought of a parallel of wimmin Class 1 Police drivers requesting Vauxhall Corsas because those Range Rovers and Mitsubishi Evos are just to big for them to park.
Alright so I’m being flippant, a gun should fit the hand of the user and some guns are thicker gripped than others.  Guns are available with interchangeable grips which might be a help.
There is thankfully, and surprisingly a voice of reason from the Police

The West Mercia deputy chief constable, Ian Arundale, who also serves on Acpo’s firearms working group, said all officers worked under a strict safety regime. “If there are any doubts as to the suitability of an officer to carry a firearm, then an the officer’s authority to use firearms will be withdrawn”