Shootings rise after China gives its police guns

In this April 25, 2014 photo, a police training officer, right, guides a trainee during a weapons training session for police officers in Haikou, in southern China's Hainan province. By arming its patrolling officers, China has abandoned its decades-old policy of unarmed local police in response to concerns over crime and terrorism, leaving Britain, Norway and New Zealand among the major countries where regular patrolling police still generally do not carry arms. (AP Photo) CHINA OUT In this April 25, 2014 photo, a police training officer, right, guides a trainee during a weapons training session for police officers in Haikou, in southern China's Hainan province. By arming its patrolling officers, China has abandoned its decades-old policy of unarmed local police in response to concerns over crime and terrorism, leaving Britain, Norway and New Zealand among the major countries where regular patrolling police still generally do not carry arms. (AP Photo) CHINA OUT

By Associated Press June 26, 2014 5 min read

BEIJING (AP) – A string of shooting incidents involving Chinese police – leaving at least four people dead – has the public wondering if its rank-and-file police force is really ready to carry guns, as mandated by new regulations.

Last month, two policemen brought a loaded gun to a kindergarten show-and-tell. The handgun mistakenly went off, injuring four parents and one child.

The next day, an officer responded to a village quarrel and fatally shot a man in murky circumstances.

Police also fired repeatedly at a knife-wielding man driving a truck, killing him – even though witnesses said he posed no real threat.

The incidents – which have generated widespread media coverage and social media buzz – come after authorities decided in April to issue guns to patrolling officers to better protect the public and improve police response to crime and attacks.