To be forewarned is to be forearmed

The recent announcement that previously unarmed police would start carrying guns in certain Chinese cities should come as no surprise. Terrorism has made the world a dangerous place. However, the Chinese law enforcement authorities need to recognize that the benefits of arming police with lethal weapons carry risks that need to be addressed from the outset. In many cases lesslethal weapons such as chemicals and stun guns are both more appropriate and enable suspects to be questioned and investigated.

Chinese police are usually armed with batons and tear gas. Now some of them will be issued the "05 Chinese police revolver" using 9mm nonstandard metal and rubber bullets. This is a smart move from a law enforcement perspective since standard bullets cannot be used should a gun fall into the wrong hands.

The police have received psychological training and have been instructed in how and when to use their weapons. They are limited to using lethal force only after issuing repeated warnings and then only in 15 specific instances including hijackings and violent attacks.