‘Passengers couldn’t believe armed police were walking around the centre of our city’

armed for protection of themselves and the public.”

Jenna Simpson, 24, from Ballumbie, said: “I think they should be allowed to carry guns at all times.”

Diane Winiarska, 27, from Newport, added: “The police have the right to defend themselves and the public and if that means carrying guns then so be it.”

But Fraser Ogilvie, 19, from Carnoustie, said: “I don’t think it’s necessary. If anything, it would cause more fear and alarm and shock.”

Hamish Lamond, 71, from Coupar Angus, added: “There are certain cases where carrying a firearm is called for but not as standard procedure.”

Andy McBeth, 24, from Blackness, said: “It’s unnecessary as there aren’t civilians carrying guns here like you get in the USA.”

Councillor Alan Ross, convener of the city council’s community safety and public protection committee, said: “Although there hasn’t been any terrorist threat in this area, we cannot be complacent — heaven forbid if anything did happen and we weren’t prepared for it.

“These officers have received specialist training. They know how to handle and carry these weapons.

“I could understand the shock of the passengers in that car and it won’t be the case that every officer will be carrying a sidearm.”

The Scottish Conservatives’ legal affairs spokesman Gordon Lindhurst said encountering armed officers could “understandably” cause unease among the public. He added: “No matter what the excuse, these officers need to ensure that when they are responding to minor incidents these firearms are not on display.”

Superintendent Kirk Kinnell, head of armed policing, said: “In line with the Police Scotland standing authority, armed officers are on duty in the communities of Scotland and will respond to firearms incidents and threats to life.

“These officers are also expected to react to crimes and offences which they may encounter during their patrols and are also compelled to render assistance to members of the public should a situation of that nature arise. As such, residents in our communities may come into contact with officers who are wearing sidearms, as was the case on Saturday night when a car was stopped in Ward Road, Dundee.”