A new poll reveals that Icelanders are split on the issue of armed police protecting crowds at popular events in downtown Reykjavík. A significant plurality of Reykjavík residents are opposed to armed police in downtown, while people living in rural areas and villages outside of Reykjavík believe armed police is necessary at events in the capital.
A difficult question which has split Icelanders
<>The question of whether armed special forces officers should patrol public events in downtown Reykjavík has sparked an intense debate in Iceland. Many Reykjavík residents were shocked to see armed officers patrolling the Color Run and the Day of the Sea on June 10-11. An announcement by the Director of the Police that armed officers would patrol festivities on Iceland's Independence Day June 17 was met with outrage from many who argued that guns and family festivities don't mix.
<>Read more: Armed police patrolled the weekend's events in downtown Reykjavík, sparking criticism
The Director of the Police and others have argued that the growing threat of extremism in Europe and recent terrorist attacks in Paris and London require a firm response by Icelandic Police. Following the intense criticism the armed Special Forces officers remained out of sight on Independence Day.
People with low-incomes and little education
A poll conducted by the polling firm Maskína reveals that Icelanders are split on the issue, with 47% saying they were positive toward the idea of armed officers patrolling popular events, while 34% say they are opposed.
The support for arming officers is significantly greater in the suburbs of Reykjavík and outside Reykjavík, with people living in small towns or villages far more positive toward armed officers.
Reykjavík residents, who live closer to the large events and presumed threat, are opposed to armed officers on the city's streets. 43.6% of Reykjavík residents say they are opposed to armed officers patrolling public events, while 37.3% support arming officers.
The poll also revealed that support for armed officers patrolling large events decreases with greater education and higher income.
Icelanders are not used to firearms in public
While the Icelandic Police is unarmed the police special forces do have firearms. The special forces have up until now only been visible during state visits by foreign heads of state or at crime scenes where police fears criminals might be armed.
Icelanders are therefore extremely unaccustomed to seeing armed police officers. Iceland is the safest and most peaceful country in the world.
A new poll reveals that Icelanders are split on the issue of armed police protecting crowds at popular events in downtown Reykjavík. A significant plurality of Reykjavík residents are opposed to armed police in downtown, while people living in rural areas and villages outside of Reykjavík believe armed police is necessary at events in the capital.
A difficult question which has split Icelanders
<>The question of whether armed special forces officers should patrol public events in downtown Reykjavík has sparked an intense debate in Iceland. Many Reykjavík residents were shocked to see armed officers patrolling the Color Run and the Day of the Sea on June 10-11. An announcement by the Director of the Police that armed officers would patrol festivities on Iceland's Independence Day June 17 was met with outrage from many who argued that guns and family festivities don't mix.
<>Read more: Armed police patrolled the weekend's events in downtown Reykjavík, sparking criticism
The Director of the Police and others have argued that the growing threat of extremism in Europe and recent terrorist attacks in Paris and London require a firm response by Icelandic Police. Following the intense criticism the armed Special Forces officers remained out of sight on Independence Day.
People with low-incomes and little education
A poll conducted by the polling firm Maskína reveals that Icelanders are split on the issue, with 47% saying they were positive toward the idea of armed officers patrolling popular events, while 34% say they are opposed.
The support for arming officers is significantly greater in the suburbs of Reykjavík and outside Reykjavík, with people living in small towns or villages far more positive toward armed officers.
Reykjavík residents, who live closer to the large events and presumed threat, are opposed to armed officers on the city's streets. 43.6% of Reykjavík residents say they are opposed to armed officers patrolling public events, while 37.3% support arming officers.
The poll also revealed that support for armed officers patrolling large events decreases with greater education and higher income.
Icelanders are not used to firearms in public
While the Icelandic Police is unarmed the police special forces do have firearms. The special forces have up until now only been visible during state visits by foreign heads of state or at crime scenes where police fears criminals might be armed.
Icelanders are therefore extremely unaccustomed to seeing armed police officers. Iceland is the safest and most peaceful country in the world.
