Why do police officers carry guns?

Answer 1

Tasers are used by law enforcement personnel as a replacement for the nightstick or blackjack for non-leathal incapacitation. The reason tasers are preferred over clubs is because for clubs to be used, the perp must be literally beaten senseless, or until they stop resisting, which often resulted in injuries. A taser does not cause such injuries. It simply electrically interrupts the brain's signals to the muscles causing instant incapacitation.

Answer 2

Because they need a way to take down armed criminals from far distances

added by CenCst

Because the police are responsible for the protection of the people within their jurisdiction. A "gun" is just another tool on a police officers belt. The fact of the matter is that any good police officer does not want to have to pull out their sidearm. They are responsible for the safety and preservation of the public's right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and unfortunately there are a lot of people out there that wish to deprive others from that right, ie criminals. The fact that criminals can have weapons, is a fairly widely known one, and while quite a few private citizens have them also, who is more likely to deal with the potentially armed criminal, aside from their victim. I liken this to the question of "Would you send our military to deal with combatives armed with rifles, only able to carry pepper spray and a stick?"

Answer 3

It's a nonlethal form of subduing an individual. Though they've been put under the microscope lately because of the deaths of some taser recipients, they are still used by law enforcement and paramilitary groups around the world.

Added: They are a superior alternative, and a lot less physically damaging, than being clubbed into submission with a baton or truncheon - and incapacitating chemical sprays have often proved ineffective against highly enraged or doped-up individuals.

Answer 4

Tasers are a non-lethal way to help control a combative or dangerous suspect. If the specific situation allows for it, an officer will tase the suspect instead of using a firearm.