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Purpose. This study examines the influence of experi enti al vari ables, such as reported contacts with the poli ce, upon attitudes towards the use of police weaponry i n England and Wales. Method. A factor analysis (N = 605) of response to a special ly devel oped questionnaire l ed to the identification of five underl ying dimensions of publ ic attitudes towards pol ice weaponry. Further anal yses explored the role of demographic and experi ential variables in these attitudes. Results. Neither age nor sex were found to have a significant eVect upon attitudes towards poli ce weaponry, but specific experi ential variables had a significant eVect, notably respondents' personal experi ence of responsible or irresponsible behavi our by the poli ce. For those partici pants who were themsel ves victims of crime, such experiences were i mportant in al tering their views of the poli ce, whether positively or negativel y. Trust i n the police appeared to be a key mediating influence upon attitudes towards poli ce weaponry. Conclusions. Experiential variables relating to perceptions of pol ice behaviour and to actual contacts with police officers appear to be influential in forming attitudes towards poli ce weaponry in England. The perceived character of response, assistance and support received from the pol ice foll owing criminal vi ctimization were found to be significant predictors of favourable or unfavour-able attitudes towards pol ice weaponry, possibly through the mediation of increasing or decreasing trust in the police. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]