The Police Association says many frontline officers want to be armed

Figures released to Newstalk ZB show police firearm call-outs in Auckland between March and June this year are up 10 percent on the same period two years ago.

New National leader Christopher Luxon told Newstalk ZB he's open to the general arming of officers.

Police Association president Chris Cahill says the community's currently getting caught in the crossfire - whether it be getting their car jacked at gun point or houses shot at.

He says police need all the tactical options available to them and at the moment the need for firearms is showing up nearly every day.