Royalty protection Shoot hole in car

[techguy]

I've shot an MP5 in the USA before. They're not hard, no, but would probably be rather awkward to do it one handed (I didn't try this!).

Much quicker to just take the safety off one handed.

[ovenpaa]

The time taken to cock the weapon could be the difference between life and death, I would far sooner read about a hole in a car floor than the death of a Royal, even better to not hear of either of course.

Which makes me ask the question.. who told the journos or where they lined up outside the house hoping Kate was going to get her tits out? Utter crap to report something like this when there are far more serious things to consider in today's world.

[Dangermouse]

It is not uncommon for the first round to fail to feed, this is exasperated when the magazine has been left in place for some time and has been allowed to move in the magazine well by being knocked etc
Jams in the ageing MP5's are common place and can easily be manufactured by having the magazine at the wrong angle - this is why you will find yourself on the wrong end of a rollicking when on the range if an instructor can see that you are holding the magazine.

Clearly when you need to fire your firearm, that is not the time to be having a first round jam.
Firearms are carried in condition one because those who's lives depend on them know that that is the best option.

Some vehicles are armed some are not. Anyone who has ever had a round go off in an armoured vehicle knows that it is not good news. I am sure I heard of 3 soldiers in the back of a armoured personnel carrier all getting hit from one ND.


DM

[Dougan]

Fair enough - then how about modifying the safety so that it can still be operated with one hand on the grip, but no by it just brushing against something?....

...when was the last time that the RPS had to use their weapons?...surely it would defeat their purpose if they had not fired a round in defense for decades...and then accidentally shoot themselves or someone in their charge....

[Sandgroper]

The time taken to cock the weapon could be the difference between life and death, I would far sooner read about a hole in a car floor than the death of a Royal, even better to not hear of either of course.

Which makes me ask the question.. who told the journos or where they lined up outside the house hoping Kate was going to get her tits out? Utter crap to report something like this when there are far more serious things to consider in today's world.

Agree!

Regarding the storage of firearms in a vehicle - you would have thought something could/would have sorted to reduce the risk of an ND without reducing time on target?

[tackb]

this is a non story , the guys were in condition one because that is best condition for people in there position to be in !

it is an accident and i'm sure that it's been dealt with ?

it is certainly not for us who are not in harms way to pass judgement from our armchairs.

my only worry is the comment 'our ageing MP5's' if the weapons are old and unreliable then replace them immeadiatly with something reliable (reliable always beats fancy)

[kennyc]

Fair enough - then how about modifying the safety so that it can still be operated with one hand on the grip, but no by it just brushing against something?....

...when was the last time that the RPS had to use their weapons?...surely it would defeat their purpose if they had not fired a round in defense for decades...and then accidentally shoot themselves or someone in their charge....

I'm pretty sure DM answered that question in his first post, they are aware of the problem, and having to work around it until management get their finger out and come up with a remedy, as to the RPS firing a round in earnest, the only one that springs to mind was Princess Annes security detail in the 70's and look where that ended up! (I have no idea if there was one up the spout, but when the officer needed it the pistol didn't go bang!)

[TJC]

An ND with a functioning firearm is an operator error. How the operator carries that firearm / stores it / deploys it are all his own actions for which he is responsible. It's harsh i know but when firearms are involved there is no blaming anyone else.

[Dangermouse]

The Police in the UK are not able to modify any of their Firearms or they fall foul of the current law. Adding bits like torches or lasers is OK, that is all kit made for that purpose, but changing safety catches or lightening triggers, is a definite no no. It is the same for other Officer safety kit like batons where by there are a number of non approved after market custom add ons.
To my knowledge H&K no longer make the MP5, so they will not be replacing the current stock which I believe some can be dated back as far as the early 80's.

Replacements will be ordered at some point but as the MPS is having to sell the family jewels (NSY to be sold) to stay going at the moment, I can not imagine it is high on antibody's list.

The Royalty Protection MP5's are not carried overtly with the 3 point slings a rule and I have never seen any of the protection teams carry overtly.

DM

[zeroveez]

"I'm guessing most haven't carried a weapon in harms way...." Nor would most of us want to.