Do you feel afraid if you notice law enforcement have submachine guns at the airport?

It depends on their training.

I wouldn't say it scares me. I have traveled, as most of us, and was very accustomed to seeing the police or even military patrolling the airport, streets and shopping centers with various weapons. That said.. Seeing how the police here in the U.S. seem to spray and pray with there service pistol I would be an advocate for better training.. especially in an airport or mall setting.. Training is the key.

I flew out of EWR about 6 mos after 9-11. There were NG troops on patrol with M-16s. Felt good to see them.

After 34 years in law enforcement I know that the level of training varies greatly from agency to agency. Some are well trained and some are not trained at all. I have worked with some who I would have to shoot first in self defense if I saw them behind me with an automatic weapon in their hands.

We have the same kind of people in Canada that are scared over stupid things.

Colonel - They were actually carrying them at Rhein-Main much earlier than that. I had been in Germany visiting family and Army friends during the Munich Olympics in the early '70s. After the hostage taking and massacre, three things happened: A) did NOT go to Olympics as planned, B) waited a few extra days to go home, and C) the airport was "swarming" with German troops and police of both genders carrying automatic weapons. Everyone boarding planes were also ushered into circular screened off areas, by gender, and strip searched in groups of about ten or so. There were "guards" within those areas and at the entrance and exits with submachine guns. Heck yes, I felt safe. I had no desire to be on an aircraft heading home with me being unarmed and a radical having a weapon or explosive device ! The American women being searched were screaming and calling the German women searching them all sorts of names. "We have Rights" and "You ARE NOT allowed to touch me there !" The Germans didn't particularly care at that point. My preference now is that the people carrying them are actually properly trained in their use !

1LT Rich Voss, I'm sure they were carrying big guns prior to 1983. That was just my first trip to the FRG.

LTC Stephen C. - The Sinai deployment would be very interesting by being near some of the most incredible historical landmarks here on earth yet would be problematic by virtue of the instability in that area.

I saw them back in the 50's and 60's