After all a growing number of criminals go on to the street tooled up. So why not let the police fight fire with fire?
When the question has arisen chief resistance has often come from officers themselves, and you cannot blame them.
They know only too well what happens in places like America and realise the potential problems that might arise here. Despite that, understandably they need more protection and in future will be armed with Tasers.
This is a stun gun delivering a 50,000 volt shock of electricity to its target.
Tasers were trialled in Calderdale and several other parts of the country. Now Home Secretary Jacqui Smith will spend £8 million on 10,000 of them.
Anyone who has seen this machine at work cannot help but admire its effectiveness.
The charge drops a grown man instantly.
Crucially, unlike a firearm, its effect is not fatal. In the majority of instances, simply pulling the weapon out is enough to make people see sense.
Only the very stupid or foolish would give an officer reason to discharge it.
Tasers may not dissuade hardcore villains from their criminal activity, but they will make an awful lot of others rethink their behaviour. And most importantly they will help the police feel safer as they carry out their increasingly difficult jobs.