PM prefers 'non-lethal' option to arming cops

Prime Minister John Key. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Prime Minister John Key says he would prefer police had access to a "non-lethal option" than be given greater access to guns.

"My preference would be for a non-lethal option that works and that police have confidence in," Mr Key said this afternoon.

"If they kill that person and they were wrong and they weren't going to get shot, then officers must face an inquiry. Using a non-lethal option allows police to walk away from that incident.

"If I thought arming police was going to be the panacea to those problems, I would support it."

Last week, Mr Key told media he supported police commissioner Howard Broad's call to look into changing gun policy after two unarmed police officers were shot and a police dog killed in Christchurch last week.

Last night, police shot a man in West Auckland after tasering him didn't work.

Key said officers had told him that offenders high on drugs could withstand the effects of the taser.

"By definition, more access to firearms means more people getting shot," said Mr Key today. "Giving police greater access to firearms means it's because they would use them."

- NZ Herald staff