A serious question about the British Intelligence Services (MI5/6)?

Question

Do any personnel from these organisations routinely carry firearms (pistols)? If so, who in particular?

I am aware that MI5 frequently employ a police presence in the field, and that it is quite possible these police officers would be armed- but what about the MI5 personnel? Do they ever carry arms themselves?

Thanks for any serious answers.

Also would such members of MI5/6 be able to keep guns about their person when on duty, or take them home when off-duty? Thanks!

Answer 1

MI5 and MI6 is nothing to do with what is shown on BBC TV shows like Spooks.

MI5 do not have the power to carry arms, that is left to police units like the Diplomatic Protection Group or the Special Operations Group. You need to have special training to carry arms, and I believe that armed officers are not allowed to take home police weapons and they must be signed in and out including bullets.
Again if MI5 need to raid places, the local police do the raid and MI5 pass on intelligence.

MI6 being abroad the rules may be different for them and I would guess that if they are in the field "they would not be an employee of the crown" and could carry weapons.

Answer 2

MI5 do not carry weapons. MI5 is, truth be told, an intelligence gathering agency. Any action needed is co-ordinated by MI5 and carried out by either Special Branch or other APU's.

MI6; I'm a little unfamiliar with. I would suspect, giving the nature of their work outside the UK, carrying weapons may or may not be important to their task.

Answer 3

It would be pointless for MI5 officers to routinely carry a firearm, they have no power of arrest. The SIS rely on the police to arrest suspects and it is the police who would be armed.

Answer 4

No the normally relay on the Police to supply fire arms officers if they are required . Look at the recent high profile anti terror raids that were co-ordinated by MI5 but lead by armed police units

Answer 5

Yeah right , like we'r gonna know !!