Iceland’s police force is making another attempt to acquire machine guns, despite widespread public opposition the last time they tried.
Kjarninn reports that the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police has put in a formal request with the Interior Ministry to purchase 313 new firearms, comprising 163 handguns and 150 machine guns.
In defending the need for the purchase, the police cite an Interior Ministry report from 2012 that contended the police were limited in their power to deal with terrorism, weapons crimes, and other major offences.
The purchase request is reminiscent of the previous attempt by the police to arm up more. In that case, police also argued they needed the weapons, in part, to fight the Islamic State. They also contended a cache of firearms was a “gift” from Norway, but Norway disagreed, contending the weapons were bought.
The revelation sparked criticism and opposition from the general public, culminating in the Icelandic Coast Guard announcing that they would return the guns.
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