Modern London bobby

It's an heckler and koch (h+k) MP5. It's capable of (depending on the trigger group), three round burst, full auto, and semi-automatic fire. At short distances, it's extremely accurate and the cops chances of killing an innocent civilian are relatively low.

Great picture, although i'm not really a fan of black and white and was wondering if you have a color version.

EDIT: the person above me pretty much covered it.

Some considerations, not with the intent of hijacking the thread but to have some constructive discussion.

Moral considerations:

To be honest, I do believe that in general, worldwide, violent crimes are increasing for unknown reasons (as everybody else, I can guess, but it does not make too much sense to me).

I am an armed citizen, and I almost always carry a gun with me anywhere unless explicitly prohibited (it's usually a 9mm Glock 26 but in particular conditions I carry something bigger - depending upon what I am dressing but usually a .45 Kimber - as a primary and the 26 as a BUG). I have a permit to do so and honestly I feel much more secure in this way, even if our laws in terms of self defense really stink. Don't call me paranoid Anyone that lives in a big city knows that it CAN be dangerous. And as some of my American friends say, I'd rather prefer to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.

This, of course does NOT means that I am a violent, crazy guy that can't wait to shoot somebody. As everybody that carries daily knows very well, retreat is always the best option and that's what I usually do if I encounter problems. Also, as it has happened twice, if its just a matter of money with no real life danger involved, I just let them go with my "robbery wallet" that only holds a few Euros and no important documents. In about 15 years of carrying, I had to draw only once because I got caught in the middle of a gang. Thank God the big hole of the Kimber solved the problem without need to shoot and gave me the chance to retreat safely. Overall, I can say that in 15 years I really needed it only once. But as someone said, "You never need a gun until you need a gun, and when you do, you need it more than anything else in the world."

This for what concerns my personal position about guns. They are a tool, neither evil or good. They do not have a brain, they do not think and act on their own, they are only a nice piece of engineering (well, at least some of them ) It's the person that is behind them that makes it good or bad.

I am told - and basically most of the statistics that are published around support this - that the problem in UK is partially due to the 1997 (I think) handgun ban for law abiding citizens. This, as logical, if makes a little harder (but just a little, the BGs always know where to "shop") to obtain an illegal firearm, OTOH has the effect of leave the good citizen completely unarmed and unable to self defense.

BTW the problem is not only in the UK, but almost everywhere, I am taking the UK
as an example for the simple reason that we are talking of London Bobbies here, and that UK has been the first - and I hope the last - EU country that issued a similar law.

Its a matter of fact that (at least reading the numbers) that potentially armed victims are less prone to have problems in that sense, with some exceptions even - as usual, reading the # since I live in a different country - in the US where guns are pretty common. In general, big cities around the world can be very dangerous in certain areas, no matter what.

Technical considerations

As far as the "new style" Bobby, I have some technical considerations about the MP5 he's carrying (thanks to who identified it, I could not get trough, we are used to see either the SD or the Kurz around here but it very rare to see the standard).

Personally, I prefer these guys to be armed with a SMG than a rifle for basic ballistic considerations. A 9mm pistol round (thats what MP5s and almost all the common SMGs use) has much less power and penetration capabilities than a 5.56 assault rifle round, or something even bigger like a 7.62 or a .300 WM. In urban conditions, its much much better to have a less powerful ammo than something that comes out at about 1000 mt/sec. 9mm is quite less prone to pass over the target and bounce uncontrolled - thus being really dangerous for everybody in the area. Overall, its a police operation, not a war.

Other point in favor of an SMG is the fact that is much shorter and easier to carry and get ready if the need arise.

As someone pointed out, in very critical conditions, these guys at least here in Italy are supported by several snipers (here armed usually with Accuracy International rifles) usually coupled with a spotter (ours carry an M4 assault rifle).

And yes, SMGs usually have three fire options, single, burst (usually 3 rounds) and full auto (it keeps going until you release the trigger or got the mag empty). You need a good level of training to use SMGs efficiently, in particular if you are shooting in full auto the recoil can really have you spraying everywhere. But it can be handled very well with proper experience and training.

I just realized that I wen a little long on this, so I'll stop here, but there is a lot more to say I dont intend to annoy too much.

Thanks both, that's actually reassuring. The sniper thing doesn't worry me too much, believe it or not. Sounds like the right tool for the right job. Glad to know that this weapon isn't a fully fledged mowing-down machine gun.

Here's the colour version, completely unprocessed apart from a crop to remove the other police officer's foot.

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Where

Sorry oops, did it again

I like the color on better, it makes your copper more human, and remember that he is a s human as you are.
I can see that you were fighting savage sunlight (in London?).
Sleep well tonight my friend, knowing that some of these guys are not sleeping at all.

I like the color photo way better.

I too have noticed the increased numbers of armed police, particularly along the south bank. It seems to me that they have increased significantly since christmas.

Cool shot.

I was at Gatwick Airport earlier in the month and there were armed police all over the place. 2 of them were the foxiest women I have ever seen in uniform - I was about to ask for a photo but my flight was called. Arse.

Nice shot, I dont think a cop would ever let me take his picture here. They're all grumpy old men

Nice pic. Please clear up the nomenclature regarding "machine guns", as it really gives a bad impression. The order (from smallest to biggest) is handgun (Canon G3), machine pistol (EOS 350D), submachine gun (EOS 20D), carbine (EOS 10D), assault rifle (EOS 1Ds Mk II), squad automatic weapon (EOS 1D Mk II, machine gun (EOS 1Ds).

The machine gun is generally not portable and denotes great random destruction when fired (and is generally true). The submachine gun is very quick into action, selective and relatively low powered. Altogether, I would say that he is well equipped and looks like he takes his job seriously... which is just as well!

I wouldn't call it a rifle. It's more of a sub machine gun. It fires 9mm rounds (same as a 9mm handgun) rather than rifle rounds.

To be specific it's an H&K MP5A5 with a flashlight "tactical" foregrip.

Now, it can be an MP5A3 but I can't see the trigger area to tell. =)