On a practical level, agency regulations mean that I am less well-armed than the average seriously-armed Texan. (I work for a very large PD.) If I jump through enough hoops, I can carry a semi-auto AR15 or Mini-14, with no magnifying optics installed. My primary duty pistol must be one of several specified .40 autos. I am allowed two shotgun models, and only two sizes of buckshot, and slugs are a gray area. Back-up handgun regs are a bit more relaxed. I can legally carry other weapons and ammo, but can expect to be punished if I use them, and left on my own, without agency backing, during ensuing legal proceedings, even if it was a legal/justifiable use of force.
In 2007, a edict was issued that banned attaching any illumination devices to any of our firearms, and that edict extended to weapons we use defensively during our personal time. (Lasers have always been banned; not that I care for lasers, anyway.) Finally, in 2010, after the command staff studied the situation to death, we may use lights on our weapons, after taking a training course, but only certain weapons, certain lights, and in the case of handguns, buying a specified and quite expensive duty rig that accommodates the mounted light on the holstered pistol, even if the main time I really want to mount the light on the weapon is at home, where I don't wear my duty rig, anyway. (I need to have the holster to take the class.) Moreover, that specified holster is not made for the P229, so I would have to switch duty pistols, or at least acquire yet another duty pistol, on top of all the other complications.
Back to optics on rifles; only three training classes were offered, to certify officers to use Aimpoints or EOtechs. So, a few dozen officers, out of several thousand, can actually mount optics on their weapons. I lost my ability to use the A2 rear sight accurately, under very bright or dim lighting conditions, about three years ago. I leave the AR15 locked up; I can shoot a 4" .357 GP100 "backup" handgun with greater confidence in hitting something.
I would be GLAD, as a police officer, to be able to carry the same weapons as the public. I am lucky; some officers, working for other PDs, only get to carry one duty handgun, and nothing else. I don't want to carry a sniper rifle, or a selective-fire weapon. I don't want to be a SWAT guy or a tactical commando, just Officer Friendly, who might have to interdict a school shooter by myself someday, or watch kids die. The typical school hallway in my area is 65 yards long. (Yes, we measured.) We have trained to interdict active shooters, in real school buildings, but many of us, IF we follow policy, are handicapped in our ability to engage at 65 yards.
I am glad I am nearer the end of my career than the beginning; it will be sweet to be able to slide an X300 onto my P229 when I go to bed at night, after retirement, and not worry about it being a violation of anyone's orders. Ditto for being able to pick up a Marlin .357 lever rifle if someone is trying to kick the front door down. I am not meaning to sound like a crybaby, just sayin' that not all LE personnel have as much freedom as some folks think.
