S.C. Sheriff's Department Armored Vehicle with Belt-Fed Machine Gun

[JImbothefiveth]

Tax dollars shouldn't have been spent on this

This is just insane. How much did that cost? Couldn't they spend that tax money to feed the poor?

Please, anyone give me one legitimate law enforcement application.

A terrorist attack? North hollywood shootout? There were wounded officers that needed to be rescued.

 

[danprkr]

I figure folks is folks and the police folks just have a bigger financial base to please their "I wants".

Problem is their financial base is our pockets!

 

[KenW.]

How much did that cost? Couldn't they spend that tax money to feed the poor?

Patience, President Obama is just taking care of big business first...

 

[SCKimberFan]

My problem with this is that there seems to be no other resource for this story, I searched for local tv station news internet sources and other that the OP refrence there seems to be nothing. We all seem to be wraped up in this with absolutly no varification. Ok what I mean is main stream credible news source.

The original post is about a year old. Richland County SC (the county where Columbia is) purchased this. You may have to try the Archives from the State newspaper. Here is the website: http://www.thestate.com/

 

[bill larry]

There is NO PRACTICAL USE for any law enforcement vehicle mounting an M2.

We'll all be slaves to the damn government if we let them have toys like this.

 

[bigger hammer]

Sure would come in handy on a barricaded suspect who's equipped himself with a gas mask and lots of ammo.

Rescue ops are another use. Dealing with riotous crowds another.. Maintaining order in times of large scale disasters is another.

If it encourages even one suspect to surrender rather than fight it out, it's worth it.

 

[Flyboy]

Rescue ops are another use. Dealing with riotous crowds another.. Maintaining order in times of large scale disasters is another.

Yes, a belt-fed .50 is a great way to deal with a crowd. I think I see where you got your name.

If it encourages even one suspect to surrender rather than fight it out, it's worth it.

Of course. We certainly don't need to consider the cost in terms of lost liberty in deciding whether the hypothetical benefit of a single suspect deciding to surrender--who would not have surrendered to anything less--is worthwhile.

 

[bigger hammer]

Earlier I wrote,

Rescue ops are another use. Dealing with riotous crowds another.. Maintaining order in times of large scale disasters is another.

Yes, a belt-fed .50 is a great way to deal with a crowd. I think I see where you got your name.

Too bad that some seem to think they know all about police work. 99% is just showing up.

Earlier I wrote,

If it encourages even one suspect to surrender rather than fight it out, it's worth it.

Of course. We certainly don't need to consider the cost in terms of lost liberty

Let's consider it. How does the police having such weaponry result in you losing liberty?

 

[SCKimberFan]

Let's consider it. How does the police having such weaponry result in you losing liberty?

How about the ability to absolutely destroy your dwelling? Why in God's name does a police department - especially in that known terrorist haven of Columbia SC - need something like this? Domestic terrorists? Gimme a freakin break!

I expected some commie remark like that from LaLaLand.

 

[Joe Demko]

It's also too bad when cops get crazy ideas. If you "just show up" in that rig to control a riot, it seems to me that you're willing to use it. Under what circumstances, exactly, do you foresee the necessity of opening fire on a crowd with a heavy machinegun? When was the last time there was a situation like that in SC? Anywhere in America?
I can give you examples of LE and/or private security, sometimes supplemented by the National Guard, did such things in the past. None of them are remembered as shining moments in the history of US law enforcement.

 

[Titan6]

Honestly I don't see what the big deal is. That thing is about as vulnerable as a Chevy Trailblazer. Even if the Department had a dozen of them they would have a hard time patrolling the county with them much less resourcing them.

 

[FourTeeFive]

Yes, a belt-fed .50 is a great way to deal with a crowd. I think I see where you got your name.

Originally Posted by Flyboy

Too bad that some seem to think they know all about police work. 99% is just showing up.

So you think police should show up with military weaponry just as a threat?

Brandishing a weapon is asking for trouble. You bring the right tool for the job, not to show off and intimidate people.

And, if they show up with a .50cal and need to use a weapon, they'll use that. For riot-control? I hope you're joking.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Absent a fire-fight with terrorists armed with selective fire weapons or a coastal patrol boat, I can see no need for a belt-fed 50 caliber machine gun in law enforcement. 50 caliber sniper rifles, yes. Shooting through walls or masonry walls makes sense.

Or are they anticipating a lost column of Sherman's Bummers?

 

[dillynfw]

Or are they anticipating a lost column of Sherman's Bummers?

Yes. And "law" enforcement and para-military forces won't bat more of an eyelash than MacArthur or Eisenhower did.

We had an idiot sheriff in NC like this. Gerald Hege in Davidson County. Wanna guess what happened to him?

He pled guilty to "five counts of embezzlement by a public officer, five counts of obtaining property by false pretenses, two counts of obstruction of justice, one count of endeavoring to intercept oral communication, one count of aiding and abetting to endeavor to intercept oral communication and one count of aiding and abetting to obtain property by false pretenses."

 

[Ky Larry]

This is what happens when government officials are given money and power. It's just like giving a teenager whisky and car keys. Nothing good will come out of this situation.

 

[streakr]

They call it "Law and Order"! Get used to it!

s

 

[bigger hammer]

Earlier I wrote,

Let's consider it. How does the police having such weaponry result in you losing liberty?

How about the ability to absolutely destroy your dwelling? [Emphasis added]

Quite a few countries have the ability to lob nuclear missiles into your living room. That has absolutely nothing to do with "you losing liberty."

Why in God's name does a police department - especially in that known terrorist haven of Columbia SC - need something like this? Domestic terrorists? Gimme a freakin break!

Already given some reasons why this might be useful.

I expected some commie remark like that from LaLaLand.

ROFL I must say that I certainly did expect such ravings from paranoiaville.

 

[bigger hammer]

It's also too bad when cops get crazy ideas.

If you're talking about someone losing their mind and taking the vehicle out to destroy the neighborhood, I'd ask if you have some examples of this happening?

If you "just show up" in that rig to control a riot, it seems to me that you're willing to use it. Under what circumstances, exactly, do you foresee the necessity of opening fire on a crowd with a heavy machinegun?

An angry crowd armed with and throwing Molotov cocktails or other such devices closing on the vehicle when there's no more room to back up. When this happens with standard patrol vehicles, the officers have to flee, emboldening the mob. I remember during the Watts riots and the riots after the Rodney King verdict, sure being glad to see the National Guard roll into town equipped with weapons like these. So were the townsfolk.

When was the last time there was a situation like that in SC? Anywhere in America?

Can't answer for SC. But it's not uncommon a situation in a big city when a sports team loses, or wins (can anyone explain that latter situation to me?) They turn from revelry to setting random fires to looting to attacking the police. Would you have us just withdraw and leave the city to them?

I can give you examples of LE and/or private security, sometimes supplemented by the National Guard, did such things in the past. None of them are remembered as shining moments in the history of US law enforcement.

Can you give use some examples of "LE and/or private security" opening fire on crowds with such weapons?

 

[bigger hammer]

Earlier I wrote,

Too bad that some seem to think they know all about police work. 99% is just showing up.

So you think police should show up with military weaponry just as a threat? [Emphasis added]

On occasion.

Let's realize that your use of the phrase "military weaponry" is falling into the same trap that we hate from the anti-gunners. Many police are carrying handguns that are virtually identical to those used by the military. In fact they're identical to those carried by civilians, (that word is used here to indicate non-police). The only difference in this discussion is one of caliber and the ability to fire on FA (Full auto). You rail against the anti's for doing this, yet here you are, doing the same thing.

Brandishing a weapon is asking for trouble. You bring the right tool for the job, not to show off and intimidate people.

People often get in line when a cop in uniform shows up. "Brandishing" isn't necessary. Showing up with this tool would have even more effect. Interesting that ONLY your side of the argument has mentioned "show[ing] off." I think we're seeing a bit of projection here.

And, if they show up with a .50cal and need to use a weapon, they'll use that. For riot-control? I hope you're joking.

Ever been in a riot? They can turn from noise making into deadly force in minutes.

 

[bigger hammer]

Absent a fire-fight with terrorists armed with selective fire weapons or a coastal patrol boat, I can see no need for a belt-fed 50 caliber machine gun in law enforcement. 50 caliber sniper rifles, yes. Shooting through walls or masonry walls makes sense.

Have you forgotten (or do you even know) about Carlos Hathcock's mounting of a scope on an M2 in Vietnam? Using it, he got what was (at that time) the longest kill.

Let's not forget that quite a few times LE has been up against the domestic equivalent of "terrorists armed with selective fire weapons."

 

[bigger hammer]

We had an idiot sheriff in NC like this. Gerald Hege in Davidson County. Wanna guess what happened to him?

It makes no difference. This is a perfect example of an attempt at "guilt by association."

 

[Mags]

Bigger hammer, do you truly believe police should have this vehicle in it weaponized configuration, if so sir you are truly an idiot. You also must be some sort of PD flunky who couldn't make it in the real military as all your posts seem to be leaning in the direction of a militarized PD. Most folks respect PD and feel there is a good reason to have good guys on our side however your opinions always lean towards a Martial Law scenario in which case PD is useless and should not be used in accordance with the Posse Commititus(forgive spelling) the very reasons you say the PD should have such a vehicle is exactly why they should not. The national guard is there for a reason for such special circumstances. Once again the police are not and should not be anything like the military, now go back to oppressing civilians at your day job.

 

[bigger hammer]

Bigger hammer, do you truly believe police should have this vehicle in it weaponized configuration, if so sir you are truly an idiot.

I can always tell when I've won an argument. The other side starts personal attacks. this time it's by way of name calling. It's obvious that you've run out of logic and reason, if you ever had any, and so you try this tack. Is this your idea of "The High Road?"

You also must be some sort of PD flunky who couldn't make it in the real military as all your posts seem to be leaning in the direction of a militarized PD.

I'm retired RM. I spent nearly 30 years in LE and retired as a Sgt. Is that "some sort of PD flunky?"

I spent about four years in the USAF, rising to the rank of SSgt, E5. I was the supervisor of the photo operation on the base. Is the AF considered to be "the real military?"

Most folks respect PD and feel there is a good reason to have good guys on our side

Do you think that calling me "an idiot" supports such a statement? I sure don't.

however your opinions always lean towards a Martial Law scenario

Nonsense. I lean towards the police having the tools and the skills to handle just about anything that comes down the pike. ONLY when the numbers of lawbreakers become overwhelming, as in a few situations that I've mentioned here, the Watts riots and the riots after the Rodney King riots, do I advocate bringing the Nat'l Guard out.

in which case PD is useless

Actually during the latter incident, the PD guarded the Nat'l Guard. Their boss forgot their ammo and we had to take care of them. There were several sniper incidents until they got their ammo. I headed a caravan escorting them to a nearby military base so they could pick it up.

Since they don't know the area, the PD assumes the roles of scouts and guides.

The national guard is there for a reason for such special circumstances.

Great idea! The problem is that they don't show up for 2-4 days. By then the situation is completely out of control.

Once again the police are not and should not be anything like the military, now go back to oppressing civilians at your day job.

Is this another example of how you "respect [the] PD" and how you want them "on [y]our side?" ROFLMAO.

 

[Mags]

Is this another example of how you "respect [the] PD" and how you want them "on [y]our side?" ROFLMAO.

No sir that is what i think of you.

I spent about four years in the USAF, rising to the rank of SSgt, E5

Currently you cannot make E-5 in 4 yrs, I am an E-5 and have been in for eight years AD AF yes the AF is real military however the guys that do 4 and get out is what we call the freeloader college boys they do their 4 for college tuition and get out. I have one working for me right now and guess where he wants to go back to, California go figure.

 

[Arbor]

Don't you think that the MILITARY needs military weapons? Whether or not this thing is an actual hazard in the hands of police, it would be much better used in Iraq or Afghanistan, and would be much more likely to save American lives. While their at it, they should send the wannabe-soldiers who requisitioned this thing over there, too.