Police use of firearms has been a slow and controversial process , usually due to resistance from senior officers regarding firearms and adverse reactions from the public . During the Second World War , firearms were only carried on protection duties , such as guarding Downing Street , Buckingham Palace and locations at risk from enemy sabotage . However , the police were supplied with many firearms such as the Canadian Ross Rifle and P14 Enfield as part of the anti-invasion preparations of World War II . Due to equipment shortages , firearms issued to the police were often in poor condition and sometimes lacked a holster to accommodate the weapon , leading to them being concealed in the uniform tunic or tucked in the waistline of the trouser . In the years following the Second World War , training for the standard issue Webley & Scott revolver consisted of firing six shots , to pass , it was required that three shots be on target . Loading , unloading and safe handling of the weapon was not usually taught . During the same period , the police had an increased number of ex-servicemen joining the ranks , and their previous knowledge was treated to suffice leading to them being issued with firearms without police training , in an emergency . An example of this , was when the police mounted a large-scale search following the Shepherd 's Bush murders , firearms were issued to any officer who had previous experience of their use , such as officers that attended shooting clubs or ex-members of the armed forces
Shepherd 's Bush murders
Shepherd's Bush murders
Firearms unit