Mr O'Connor is right to raise the question about cops and guns. If the Government is considering law changes and believes the threat is higher, should this not mean we better equip our police?
Frontline police were given better access to firearms when more frontline patrol cars had gun lockboxes installed in 2011.
But the union, representing nearly 8600 officers, argues these are no good when armed incidents arise unexpectedly and officers can't reach them.
New Zealand is one of the few countries in the world that has an unarmed police force. But Mr O'Connor rightfully says times have changed and we are no longer an "idyllic 1950s backwater".
Opponents will argue that putting guns on hips will increase the likelihood of more criminals arming themselves and the risk of more people being shot. They have a strong point but then again they're not the ones in the firing line.
It is a matter of balancing risks.
New Zealand is not quite at the point where every police officer needs a gun and I certainly would not like to see officers in schools with them.
But Mr O'Connor is correct in saying our police are ill-equipped to defend themselves or others against armed criminals and terrorists.
The Government should conduct a full firearms review.
One option is a hybrid model where trained front-line officers who routinely respond to potentially dangerous incidents do carry guns.
Officers facing the most unpredictable situations deserve to be able to protect themselves, and others, at a moment's notice.
