The Scottish Police Federation has claimed more officers need to routinely carry guns if Scotland is to be protected from a Paris-style attack.
General secretary Calum Steele stopped short of demanding all officers are armed, but claimed Police Scotland “need more” officers carrying firearms.
He also claimed the force “is woefully under-equipped, under-resourced and under prepared” to deal with the current terrorist threat.
Police Scotland’s routine arming of officers – including in areas such as the Highlands – has already proved controversial.
Last night, opposition politicians said it was important to avoid a “rushed response” following the terror attacks in Paris.
Mr Steele, who is also a serving police officer, said: “We need only look at the recent horrific events in Paris and particularly the tactical capabilities and the speed at which they were deployed to come to the conclusion that Scotland is woefully under-equipped, under-resourced and under prepared.
“We want to be clear that this is not the fault of the exceptional officers prepared to undertake these onerous roles, not least as you can’t train for scenarios that you neither have the equipment for nor the people to deploy to.
“It is time to accept that Scotland simply cannot afford the luxury of keeping police officers out of sight, as by the time they could be deployed could in itself be far too late.
“Let me be clear, this Scottish Police Federation is not calling for a fully armed police service at this time, but we do believe we need more trained officers routinely carrying their weapons in public.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokeswoman Alison McInnes said: “Communities in Scotland were incredibly alarmed by the change in policing in 2013 when officers in some parts were suddenly armed, with no consultation or democratic agreement.
“The arming of police officers will not stop the hatred behind terror attacks such as those we saw recently in Paris and is a matter that requires serious scrutiny rather than a rushed response.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Our police service is highly trained and highly professional.
“We do not support the routine arming of police on our streets – however, where there are life and death situations it is absolutely right that our police have the operational ability to respond appropriately.”