Read the article:
I reckon an SA80 might be a bit of overkill.
So are you suggesting that they should be issued with handbags?
You really are Terry Fuckwit AICMFP.
I'd have thought an SA80 in a confined space like a sub would be a real liability - side-arms would be more wieldy.
In article , Skipweasel writes
Think outside the box (boat), they have to protect it wherever it may be parked and may be required to perform some military action where it is just delivering them to a particular location.
You really do have to wonder about the people who are astonished that a warship should have people aboard with access to weapons, ammunition and the training to use them, don't you?
Mind you, the marines have been commenting that the fact that a matelot managed to hit something, even in a fish-in-the-barrel situation is astonishing.
Yeah, best to give them catapults and boxing gloves.
Side arms are not macho. Although I am sure that the fact it was an SA80 not a side arm helped people subdue the guy in such a small space.
Personally I do believe that I would have needed a change of underwear if I was in that room when he started shooting.
Yeah, I understand that, but you'd think the big stuff would be in a rack by the door (yeah, I know it's a hatch or something) and once aboard you'd rely on side-arms.
A side-arm would have been more deadly in a confined space. Apparently, the seaman was wrestled to the floor by a local councillor. I guess he'll never live down the shame.
" . . . . the suspect a sentry armed with an SA80 service rifle. Submariners do not routinely carry loaded firearms aboard ships, but those on sentry duty are armed."
I'd expect arms to be secured in an armoury when not issued (as this one appears to have been) and not is a walnut gun rack by the door :-)
S'wot I thought. Even a carbine would be too long for submarine use. The only sub I've been in I could barely turn round, let alone swing a weapon.
Exactly. I had a trip round a Trafalgar class at Devonport, and had to walk past a marine on the quay with an SA80
They are not for use in the boat but on it. Since the 90's when there started to be an ever increasing likelihood of terrorism, the "Trot Sentry", the guy who stands watch on the casing at the head of the gangway, is armed with an SA80. The weapon is normally handed over at the watch change on the casing. All RN ships have armed sentries.
A huge dollop of bollox has been spouted by the media and many laymen who have little knowledge of the military. Guns are prolific in such places as airports, army barracks to name but two, do people expect the RN to be at a disadvantage. They are highly trained in the use of arms. Many years ago, I, as a sailor was engaged in firefights in Aden and other places.
This Trot Sentry probably should not have been below with his gun. My guess is that one or two officers had been giving this guy a particularly hard time, the days of arrogant officers is not yet past, although not as common. There is no justification for this guys actions but as humans we are mostly all guilty of losing our heads on occasions. This guy just happened to be armed with a lead slinger at the time.
In article , Old Git scribeth thus
And the bloke from the council, it must be rather tough fighting in the council chamber perhaps thats were he learned to wrestle and joking apart a bloody hero:))....
That was my point. I'm not remotely suggesting that the armed forces shouldn't be armed - I was surprised at the choice of firearm considering it was inside the vessel. I used to live near Heathrow - armed police were part of the scenery. Several times on the A312 I saw people face down on the tarmac with several rozzers pointing weapons at them. Just south of where it crosses the A4 seemed popular for some reason.
You really don't want to jump the lights at that junction.
Nick
SA80 is not as big as you might imagine, far shorter than the SLR it replaced. It also has very little kick so is pretty accurate,only downside is 5.56mm does not have range/stopping power, but under 300m it is very effective.
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