>>I remember years ago on a bus in Switzerland a man got on carrying his assault rifle. To me it felt very unusual but the locals all ignored him completely. At the time in the UK you never saw guns unless you went to an army display of some kind. We see more guns now usually at major airports. And gun crime in the UK seems to rising, we've just had a series of teenage shootings in London.
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>I've never seen a military or police person in Canada with a loaded assault rifle, held at the ready in Canada. Even after 9-11. But every time I've passed through Heathrow since 1991 I've seen multiple police like this. Every time it struck me as unusual.

Tell you, it's really weird to see British bizzies armed to the teeth like that, esp. with the SMGs across their chests. I'm still trying to come to terms with their wearing flak jackets and U/T belts (Time was it was just the trusty truncheon concealed in a secret pocket, down the leg of the trousers - not even visble).

Now, with combat trousers, tucked inside combat boots, HD pullovers, etc. there's just nothing left of the old-time bobby's uniform but the helmet.