Expiration Of Ban Pushes Police To Get Assault Rifles

[nico]

This looks like a case of sensationalism on the part of the author of the article. I don't see anything in the article that supports the assertion made in the headline, which leads me to think they're just trying to get attention.

"St. Petersburg -- it's not so sleepy any more," said Tom Jacwin, a 22-year veteran who is getting used to his new weapon. "The bad guys are smarter and better armed."

that could be a reference to the AWB ending, but the whole "criminals are better armed than in the good old days" sentiment isn't all that uncommon. That being said, I don't see any problem with allowing cops to carry AR-15s in their cruisers, ESPECIALLY if it's their personal weapon. Also, I think it's pretty hypocritical that on a site where so many people have ARs as HD guns (and are generally well informed), people have nerve enough to talk about what a cop "needs." I bet the cops in the West Hollywood shootout didn't "need" ARs either

 

[whm1974]

The article in the Times yesterday said a box of ammo cost $250

I hope we are talking about a 1000(or more) round box and not 20...

people have nerve enough to talk about what a cop "needs." I bet the cops in the West Hollywood shootout didn't "need" ARs either

The "cops" have nerve enough to say they need same weapons now after the AWB expired they could have had before the AWB expired. I doubt that crimanerls are running around with "AW" that they were not six or seven months ago.

-Bill

 

[nico]

The "cops" have nerve enough to say they need same weapons now after the AWB expired they could have had before the AWB expired. I doubt that crimanerls are running around with "AW" that they were not six or seven months ago

if that were the case in this situation (and I've seen articles that quoted cops as saying that kind of thing), I would completely agree with you. However, in this article, the AWB is only mentioned in the title and the first sentence, which leads me to believe it was sensationalist bs made up by the reporter. Asside from the general comment I quoted, there's nothing factual in the article that says the cops are buying the guns because of the expiration of the AWB.

 

[BluesBear]

Personally I think EVERY peace officer should be ABLE to carry a carbine/rifle in their patrol car. For decades there have been instances where a rifle was needed. If you recall back in the 1920s and 1930s there are many recorded instances of law enforcement rifle use. Bonny & Clyde is probably the most well known. They were subdued with rifle fire.

Having said that I also believe that EVERY citizen should be able to carry a long gun of their choice in their car. Hell's Bellsâ„¢ if I could afford one there'd be a cased Scout M1A in my trunk right now.




One thing I miss about my old hometown is the total absence of gun racks in pickup trucks out here.

 

[Don Gwinn]

I don't see anybody saying these officers don't "need" the rifles. . . . simply that it's asinine to suggest that they "need" these rifles because the expiration of the Assault Weapons Ban has left the streets awash in legal machine guns which drug dealers use to shoot it out with the vice squad.

 

[c_yeager]

I like how the chief is REQUIRING his men to buy just about the most expensive option available, how nice of him. Obviously the guys wouldnt be well protected by anything that didnt bear the dancing pony. I don't have a problem with Colts, but as far as a working-gun is concerned an AR-15 is an AR-15 from any of the big manufactures. I bet the price difference between the Colt and the equally suitable offerings from RRA and Bushmaster is pretty significant to a lot of cops.

 

[Commissar Gribb]

personally, having fired both, I prefer the bushmaster over the colt.

 

[Onmilo]

Go St. Pete!

Good to see a progressive city allowing officers to carry the tools neccessary to get the job done.

The writer who was freaking out about the Police carry these evil assault rifles probably doesn't realize that they are loaded with specialty ammunition such as TAP or frangible to prevent overpenetration and over ranging.

Of course the bad guys are very careful to make this ammunition selection before they haul their assault rifles out I'm sure,,,,,,

 

[Randy in Arizona]

I like how the chief is REQUIRING his men to buy just about the most expensive option available, how nice of him. Obviously the guys wouldnt be well protected by anything that didnt bear the dancing pony. I don't have a problem with Colts, but as far as a working-gun is concerned an AR-15 is an AR-15 from any of the big manufactures. I bet the price difference between the Colt and the equally suitable offerings from RRA and Bushmaster is pretty significant to a lot of cops.

Police Chief Chuck Harmon approved use of the AR-15s last June with guidelines that took months to develop. Officers who want the weapons must buy them for $1,100.

Does not sound like a requirement, just a specification the officers need to adhere to IF they purchase a rifle.

The rifles may be used only in "a high-risk situation, such as to overcome suspects with superior firepower, in response to an active shooter situation, when confronted by barricaded subjects, during stakeout and perimeter operations, for felony vehicle stops."

I would want a MBR for most of these situations, and the SPPD Chief could get them from Uncle Sam for a song, through one of the Law Enforcement Assistance programs. But then the Department would be responsible for keeping track of them, not the individual Officer.

 

[Delmar]

I find it difficult to believe that any medium to large city does not REQUIRE the uniformed officers to qualify and ISSUE high powered rifles.
Does the bank robbery in LA mean nothing to these fools?

That is not directed at the rank and file-99.99% of which are the good guys, but their politically elected bosses.

If nothing else, there seems to be a lot of Garands and such which is being chopped up as we speak Seems there are more bad guys strapping on the armor these days, but I suspect an AP 30-06 would defeat it easily. I'd even venture to say a good old bolt action Remchestruger, but a quick follow up shot might save a life.

I understand some locales might have issues with select fire weapons, but there should be no reason why the select feature cannot be removed with parts changes, or equipped with a lock such as the M-14's.

Doesn't seem to matter to the politicians what the size of the population they represent. They will ignore it until a catastrophy strikes, then act all surprised that what they were warned about actually happened. Then, they will finally get off their duff and pass the needed legislation. After a while, when the threat has subsided, they will toss it out and wait for the next catastrophic event and be surprised all over again.

 

[c_yeager]

Does not sound like a requirement, just a specification the officers need to adhere to IF they purchase a rifle.

The point that i was making is that anyone who wants a patrol rifle is required to buy the most expensive option available. If he is comfortable with his staff carrying rifles in the first place why does it matter what brand they are?

 

[Mannlicher]

How moronic. The sunset of the AWB did really nothing more than make legal again, cosmetics, and the purchase of newly made magazines. StPete is pretty much populated with old blue haired liberal yankee women anyway. pfffffffft.

 

[Harry Tuttle]

you all are reading a "News 6" pick up from the AP wire of this story:

St. Petersburg Times (Florida)
April 25, 2005 Monday
Pg. 1B

Police arm themselves with high-powered rifles

ALEX LEARY

More than 100 St. Petersburg officers have ordered assault rifles.
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/04/25/Southpinellas/Police_arm_themselves.shtml

 

[Randy in Arizona]

From the link Harry Tuttle posted - -

"Our cities are not combat zones, but when you arm the police with assault rifles, you run the risk of turning them into combat zones," said Tom Diaz, senior policy analyst at the Violence Policy Center in Washington, D.C. "I doubt there very many communities outside Iraq where you need that kind of firepower."

Dear Mr. D-ass,
It won't be the police that start the fight, but hopefully it will be them that finish the fight. I realize that your job at the VPC is to prevent people from having arms to protect themselves, but the policeman killed in the line of duty for lack of an Evil Black Rifle might be the one that would have saved your worthless butt from a mugger that kills his victims.

Randy in Arizona

PS Here’s your sign.


Here's your sign

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Tom Diaz is one dangerous idiot. He's to be afforded all the contempt and seriousness you would Sarah Brady.