Research re: Belfast, N. Ireland Guarda

[JimTX]

My lady's neice has just received her official "start date" to the Police Academy (Guarda) in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

I'd like to find out what the current "Issue Sidearm" is for these officers, so I can buy her some enhancements to send over. Most likely a LULA loader. Depending on exact arm (such as Glock), I'll also send such as a small selection of grip enhancers, (slip on rubber grip, peel n' press grip panels, etc.) I rather doubt non-gun culture department such as would be found in Northern Ireland would allow personalization, such as rail-lights.

If they carry off duty, I may send her a 1st class concealment purse. Damn sure they don't sell those there! Certainly, they won't be allowed much, if any variance in belt-gear. At most, she might be able to carry a Surefire type penlight on her belt. If she can, I'll send her one w/ pouch.

Also, I'd like to send her some good "Gunsite Type" shooting DVDs. FOR THE BEGINNER or ROOKIE COP type, only. Gotta be UK format compatible.

Got any other suggestions? Tips? Insights?

Thanks, y'all!


Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

[Dub_James]

??

If you mean Gardai, that's south of the Border. I think you mean the PSNI, what used to be called the RUC.

[JimTX]

Well, I thought they were called Guarda, but what the hell do I know, anyway.

Still, when I was there in Belfast in November, every cop I saw there, with the exception of traffic & parking cops, was carrying full belt gear, including a sidearm. These were all civilian cops, with ordinary civilian uniforms, in ordinary civilian cop cars.

What I could glimpse (without staring awkwardly) looked like Glock units. Damn sure were not BHPs. (I would have had to mop up my drool over some nice BHPs!)

Lovely place, Belfast and the surrounding countryside. Would be a great place to live if only they enjoyed the RKBA. Sadly, being Commonwealth, even the stupid knife laws apply.

Sadly more, it's nearly impossible to find a place to enjoy a nice cigar. Banned, even in the pubs.

*sigh*


Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

[Highspeed]

I can find out for you.

The situation in NI is such that off duty police may be authorised to carry, although I wouldn't know.

Recently there has been violence aimed at the police ( bombings, shootings ) from what the media call " dissident Republican groups " or what I refer to as " fucking terrorist assholes "

Another bunch of terrorist assholes on the other side of the divide ( Loyalists ) have recently given up the 'armed struggle' ( bravely murdering Catholics at random ) so hopefully more pleasant times are ahead for the 99.99% of NI citizens who just want to live their lives in peace.

Interestingly over the border in Eire the gun laws went into meltdown a few years ago. They used to be much the same as the UK, no handguns, no semi-auto rifles. But there was a legal challenge to them and they got repealed.
Denis probably knows the details, being a bog trotting leprechaun

[Denis]

Denis probably knows the details, being a bog trotting leprechaun

Hey! I resemble that remark!

Jim, if Denise (or is it De Nephew?) is in Belfast, she'll be with the PSNI. Being from Dublin, I have no idea what the northern officers carry, but HighSpeed will probably find out for you... down south, it's BHP's or a revolver, for armed (plainclothes) officers, but uniformed Gardai don't carry.

As to things down south -for the non-police-officer; yes, some people fought the de facto handgun ban in the courts and won. Now the GFW government (a coalition including the greenies) is talking about reintroducing the ban by legislation...

[cu74]

As to things down south -for the non-police-officer; yes, some people fought the de facto handgun ban in the courts and won. Now the GFW government (a coalition including the greenies) is talking about reintroducing the ban by legislation...

More anal-cranial inversion - banning handguns has worked so well at reducing crime in the nearby larger island, AKA Formerly Great Britain............

[Rusty Ray]

Well, when I 'lived' there, the RUC (both sexes) carried a mix of .357 revolvers (with .38 special loads) of different barrel lenghts and BHPs when on duty, the same when off duty. Also they could be seen with PPKs when in plain clothes. They once ´had a lot of post-war Enfeild and webley revolvers.....

They also had Mini 14s, M1 Carbines, HK MP5 and HK53s depending upon place/type of work.

Now, you can bet your bottom dollar that today it is Sig 22somthingorother, in single stack or limited doublestack (European Police standardness for you). Best bet mate, get her over there and get her shooting everything you can find.

Hope that helps. Cheers - Rusty

PS A bit of history you may find interesting. R

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/break ... 16082.html

[Denis]

They once ´had a lot of post-war Enfeild and webley revolvers.....

...and this is what they looked like. More here.

Rusty, you in those photos?

[Windy Wilson]

http://images.google.com/hosted/life/f? ... f661db9be2
What is that gizmo that looks vaguely like a bolt handle where a bolt handle would be if the image were reversed (which it does in the thumbnail, btw).

[Denis]

What is that gizmo that looks vaguely like a bolt handle where a bolt handle would be if the image were reversed (which it does in the thumbnail, btw).

Beats me, Windy. Funny northern rifle...