Shotguns in foreign service

[Slater]

Much has been written about US Military/Police use of shotguns. What about European and Asian militaries and police forces? Are shotguns in any use in those services?

[Erick Gelhaus]

In Europe, at least, the shotgun is kind of frowned upon for anti-personnel use. As I recall, there was a belief that it was / is too brutal. Again, recollection-wise, I seem to rember hearing or reading that in Germany at least the Polizei needed permission to deploy it - but I can't put my finger on the source.

Southern Africa saw fairly extensive use of the shotgun during the Terrorist Wars there.

[bamf]

When I was in Egypt, I saw quite a few shotguns in the hands of the police.

Couldn't id them, probably some Russian variety pump, they had rifle sites, and pistol grips, ~21in barrels.

In the hands of some of the rural police, I saw some sxs.

I don't think excessive force is much of concern since the average police officer carries an AK variant.

[CWL]

You see quite a few shotguns in SE Asia, police & private security carry them. They are also available to civvies.