Scottish Police object to armed Marines at display

[Martin the Martian]

This from the force that is routinely arming its officers, and needs to get its own house in order first. Three days to respond to a road accident, anyone?

Seriously, what the hell?

Compromise over armed marines display at Scottish Airshow - BBC News (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-34138842)

[bluetail]

What an absolute disgrace by Ayrshire Police in not supporting our Marines, just goes to show what a bunch of clowns we now have running (not) about.:D

And I agree 3 Days to answer a call for a RTA, I bet their expense sheets go in on time though.

[falcon900]

Whilst I can only agree that Police Scotland don't have their worries to seek at the moment, I would be inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt on this one, at least until we hear their reasoning for their alleged objections. I would doubt they had any problem with armed Marines, more about what they were intending to do.
For my own part, I would question the wisdom in this day and age of introducing rapid gunfire into proceedings at a large public gathering. Fine for those who can appreciate it is mock and part of the display, but the risk of alarming people and perhaps causing panic must be real. Many people at these events are not watching proceedings, but are at food stalls, sideshows etc, and could easily think the gunfire is real and related to some terrorist activity. As for explosions at air shows, I think we have sadly had quite enough of those for the current season, and in addition to any concerns similar to those about gunfire, I would have thought explosions should be avoided on grounds of taste and decency.
I am not a killjoy, and of course would accept that Police Scotland may be keeping up their current run of form and have acted for some other and ridiculous reason.

[orca]

I completely agree. About ten months ago I was enjoying a quiet pint when my village came under attack from militants armed with a variety of calibres of weaponry, the early salvo from which set fire to a house.

It later transpired, long after my heart rate had moderated and many terrifying moments as my hiding place in the male toilets was almost compromised, that it was a seasonal celebration of a failed attack on Parliament, the weapons were fireworks and the house a pallet collection colloquially termed a bonfire.

It was all I could do to return to the bar. I still, to this day, wonder what would have happened had I identified the detonations as coming from the nearby nuclear power station, or perhaps heralds of the arrival of German paratroopers. How would the 'perfectly normal level of seasonal exuberance' have worked out then?

[langleybaston]

the risk of alarming people and perhaps causing panic must be real.

So, you go to a military/ militarily orientated show, and are surprised/ alarmed/panicked by bangs?

Cotton wool Nanny state gone mad, surely? By the same logic, Bonfire Night/ Fireworks should only be pretty.

Remarkable, truly remarkable.

[falcon900]

When I last looked, it was described as an airshow, and marketed as " a pure aviation rush", so maybe not quite so obvious that a spectator should expect groundfire and explosions.
That said, I am inclined towards the same view as you, that if Police Scotland have acted for the reasons I suggested, this is very much "nanny state" On the other hand, neither you nor I are having to sign off on the risk assessment to allow this event to go ahead, but I suspect those who are find themselves in a very risk averse frame of mind following recent events.

[sittingstress]

Whilst I can only agree that Police Scotland don't have their worries to seek at the moment, I would be inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt on this one, at least until we hear their reasoning for their alleged objections. I would doubt they had any problem with armed Marines, more about what they were intending to do.
For my own part, I would question the wisdom in this day and age of introducing rapid gunfire into proceedings at a large public gathering. Fine for those who can appreciate it is mock and part of the display, but the risk of alarming people and perhaps causing panic must be real. Many people at these events are not watching proceedings, but are at food stalls, sideshows etc, and could easily think the gunfire is real and related to some terrorist activity. As for explosions at air shows, I think we have sadly had quite enough of those for the current season, and in addition to any concerns similar to those about gunfire, I would have thought explosions should be avoided on grounds of taste and decency.
I am not a killjoy, and of course would accept that Police Scotland may be keeping up their current run of form and have acted for some other and ridiculous reason.

I have typed many sensible responses to the above and have erased each and every one. They were lengthy and challenged your view in detail. Instead I offer the following succinct version:

"Get a grip you skipping jessy."

or in Scottish;

"Awa ya big fanny."

[falcon900]

Maybe you should have persisted a little longer with your attempts at a sensible reply.

[sittingstress]

Maybe you should have persisted a little longer with your attempts at a sensible reply.

Hmmmm good point well presented but no.

[falcon900]

mmm better than your last effort, but still no substantive contribution I see. Difficult, isn't it?

[Wander00]

Words almost fail me - but then I am from the generation that had weapons and ammo in the school CCF armoury! The programme has description of the


Armed Forces Village – RAF, Army & Navy
http://www.scottishairshow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/facebook_1410811837107-200x300.jpg (http://www.scottishairshow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/facebook_1410811837107.jpg)"On Saturday at the Low Green, Ayr for the adventurous, our armed forces village will enthral with all the armed forces displaying lots of large trucks, guns, jeeps and all the stuff the men and wee boys just love" says the on line info. So I guess no one should be surprised by the odd bang, and if the on site programme says something like "battle demo" no one should be surprised. Slight over reaction by the Scottish fuzz IMHO, unless that big Jessie that runs the SNP has been poking her finger in. Now about answering emergency calls......

[TaranisAttack]

No concerns about the nuclear bomber though

[Tankertrashnav]

I have had my secretary make a note of "Awa ya big fanny!"

I intend using the phrase whenever appropriate.

;)

[Basil]

Only one Q - Were these to be live rounds or blanks?

[Finningley Boy]

Live for authenticity!:ok:

FB:)

[scotbill]

They seemed to have no objection to the RAF Queen's Colour Squadron discharging firearms over a period of 25 nights at the Edinburgh Tattoo.

On the other hand, when they turned up fully armed on reports of a firearm lying unattended and discovered it was a child's toy, they still took it away because that is "standard practice". :confused:

[Educated Armourer]

Blank rounds contain explosives (propellant) and are therefore live. I believe the question should have been blank or ball?

[darkroomsource]

it's all just a big conspiracy to take away our guns