Do Obama's bodyguards carry guns?

[paddyhasneeds]

When in other countries i.e. ours? I'm assuming they do, but I'm not sure, plus I'm curious if that's only the case for him or if "any old" world leader rocks up if they're allowed their own small army to accompany them?

I suspect it's rhetorical and they are quite literally a small army.

[SS HSV]

Doea a bear...

[Mrs Fish]

James here:

No they are armed with water pistols and say stop loudly!!!

[paddyhasneeds]

SS HSV said:

Doea a bear...

Well that's my assumption.. but then the geek in me kicks in and thinks "Who actually signs it off?".

[This Side Down]

Wasn't it the case that last time GWB was here he brought his own armed security detail.

I remember it being a big thing at the time saying that although he brought his own armed gunslingers, they would be answerable to our laws for any actions (i.e. the bodyguards would not receive any immunity etc).

Bit of a slap in the face for Britain, considering our security industry is the best in the world. Ho hum.

[AlexKP]

Yes they do - under special diplomatic licence.

But then so do the Special Branch officers that guard our political leaders.

[sstein]

paddyhasneeds said:

SS HSV said:

Doea a bear...

Well that's my assumption.. but then the geek in me kicks in and thinks "Who actually signs it off?".

America controls probably one of the largest and most powerful armies in the world and have a collection of nukes that can decimate a country at the flick of a switch and the ability to deliver those nukes to any point on the planet it chooses, when it chooses.

Who is going to say no



Being serious though, what are the repercussion if they had to use them and shot a UK citizen ?

Edited by sstein on Tuesday 31st March 19:20

[cobra kid]

Sig Sauer?

[gingerpaul]

What I want to know is do they actually have these in the presidential cavalcade.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG34mFbdwko

[s3fella]

Jacqui Smith needs to sign off on the guns, but it is OK,Obama has bought some more DVDs as a gift for her, a bit like the ones he gave Gordon only from a more "specialist" store!

[RDMcG]

100% yes. PLUS his armored limo goes everywhere with him. Ona recent visit to Canada for several hours the limo was there to carry him back and forth, safe from the violent hordes of Canadians...............

[Hammer67]

sstein said:

paddyhasneeds said:

SS HSV said:

Doea a bear...

Well that's my assumption.. but then the geek in me kicks in and thinks "Who actually signs it off?".

America controls probably one of the largest and most powerful armies in the world and have a collection of nukes that can decimate a country at the flick of a switch and the ability to deliver those nukes to any point on the planet it chooses, when it chooses.

Who is going to say no



Being serious though, what are the repercussion if they had to use them and shot a UK citizen ?

Edited by sstein on Tuesday 31st March 19:20

Hopefully one of em will fire off some lead in the direction of WMFN and his bunch of pisstaking stwallopers. No-one would mind.

[Martial Arts Man]

The Sunday Times had an article on Obama and his posse this weekend gone.

Apparently, 200 staff and security are coming with him to London, in 2 Jumbos. There will be 13 presidential vehicles and three of those Marine Force helicopters (two for a diversion when he takes off).

Basically, he's bringing a hell of a lot of stuff!

God only knows how much that all costs.....and we thought Blair Force One was a tad too pricey?!?!?

[Cpn Jack Spanner]

There's no problem getting a licence in the UK to own a gun, provided it's for business purposes. So a bodyguard, vet (who may need to put down a rampaging horse), a company loaning weapons for movie companies etc can own guns. We only have a ban on public ownership of handguns.

In Northern Ireland, you can buy handgun for self defence, if you are a businessman of a certain calibre. It's not something that's widely advertised though.

[Jasandjules]

paddyhasneeds said:

When in other countries i.e. ours? I'm assuming they do, but I'm not sure, plus I'm curious if that's only the case for him or if "any old" world leader rocks up if they're allowed their own small army to accompany them?

I suspect it's rhetorical and they are quite literally a small army.

Yes, they do. Anywhere and everywhere they go.

[tubbystu]

Martial Arts Man said:

There will be 13 presidential vehicles.

Must be a nightmare at the drive-thru

[dan1981]

Here you go.....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7973274....

But does he really need all that stuff?

I mean REALLY???

[Cotty]

RDMcG said:

100% yes. PLUS his armored limo goes everywhere with him. Ona recent visit to Canada for several hours the limo was there to carry him back and forth, safe from the violent hordes of Canadians...............

Have you seen that thing? Its got 8inch armor plating, bullet proof glass, non exploding fuel tank, oxegen supply and carries a supply of his blood type should it be needed.

Weighs 4 ton and the 6.3l engine will propell it to 60mph in 15 seconds, not exactly PH material.

[knk]

I suspect they are covered by a governmental "Memorandum of Understanding" (MOU) which allows carriage of arms and ensures they are subject to US juresdiction when in the UK.

We have similar MOUs which cover British Troops when on Exercise or Ops abroad. Criminal acts commited by UK troops and entitled persons abroad are prosecuted by UK judiciary and under UK Law although courts may be held in the host nation.

There was a high profile case in Belize a few years ago when some Gurkas killed a boy in a fight in a brothel. The boy was friend of the son of a minister (Belizian government). The son was also in volved in the fight and then ran off to Mexico and refused to return to give evidence and the case fell apart.

[pinchmeimdreamin]

gingerpaul said:

What I want to know is do they actually have these in the presidential cavalcade.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG34mFbdwko

check out the calvacade on the news yes they do and His Limo is capable of withstanding both a roadside bomb and a chemical attack, Oh and Several US piloted attack Helcopters will be within striking distance at all times.