Posted on 05/20/2015 6:12:10 PM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo
The St. Paul Police Department SWAT Team Commander, Tim Flynn, says the military weapons they use only come out when they face high-risk, dangerous situations.
"These weapons are critical to protecting the safety of the public and police officers," Flynn said. The SPPD has 99 AR-15 rifles on loan from the federal government, and they did receive a federal grant to obtain an armored vehicle used in potentially violent cases such as last year's arrest of cop killer, Brian Fitch.
In October we reported on how four police departments returned military issued equipment obtained at no cost through a government grant program.
"We are not militarized as some people have suggested. There are individuals out there, across the country, which are dangerous and heavily armed who have committed violent offenses in the past and would do so again against the public or our own officers here in St. Paul," Assistant Police Chief, Todd Axtell said.
Axtell says the equipment we use from the military helps save lives for citizens and officers. It also helps SPPD match the firepower of criminals on the street.
St. Paul Police say the federal government conducts random audits of the weapons they have to make sure they stay in the hands of law enforcement.
Axtell says SPPD does not have any of the military weapons, such as grenade launchers, that President Obama does not want the federal government to give to local police departments.
One day after Obama moved to limit the kind of equipment and weapons local police can receive from the military, 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS dug deeper into the issue in Minnesota. And we've found Minnesota's police departments are returning footwear and first aid kits, but holding fast to the firepower.
Oh, they're hanging on to the big toys.
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I did not know the government had AR-15 rifles.I thought they bought M-16 full autos only.
Considering the fact that Minneapolis is ground zero for the Somali muslim insurgency, heavy weaponry may be needed sooner rather than later.
They are not militarized?
Then maybe they’ll stop using SWAT for every little thing out there.
Yes but it won't be used on the Somalis, they're Sacred.
The big guns will be used on any Americans who try to oppose them!
Protecting the Civil Right of the Soldiers of the Caliphate to impose Sharia
DOJ will demand that muzzies be represented in the PD, and they'll end up with the weapons before it's over with.
There are too many stories about these weapons being used against suburban residents to believe that SWAT only uses these weapons in exceptional circumstances.
There’s nothing about AR’s that is a problem other than they look scary. It’s the hand grip that makes them a weapon of mass destruction. Ask Difi. Oh, and the vented grip.
I would not consider an AR-15 to be a high-powered weapon. Velocity-wise it’s a screamer, but it’s a little bullet.
To me high-powered would be nothing less than a .270.
+1
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Love my .270 WINs!
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If it’s Law Enforcement and its wearing a helmet, it’s either on a motorcycle, or its an enemy.
Sadly too, too true.
Since Police Departments all across the country demand to have “Weapons of WAR”, to be used AGAINST US CITIZENS, Maybe there should be a move to require ALL Persons granted a Special Privilege to Use, Possess, or Own ANY “Weapon of War” be Held to ALL STANDARDS of the Uniform Code Of Military Justice.
Serious shooters use a .30cal or larger.
Tell that to Jack O’Connor.
But it’s great fun to shoot, especially if you can get someone else to pay for the ammo.
Still, for the average civilian working at less than 100 yards, the AK is my choice. What can I see out past 100 yards anyway without magnification?
Who’s Jack O’Connor?
Most of these guys probably have heavier weapons at home.
AR15s are not that expensive. They can’t buy their own? They’d rather be indentured whores to the federal government?
As another pointed out also, it’s not as much the weapons as it is who they are using them on.
They really need to (as routine policy) storm the homes of non violent people with “assault” rifles and flash bangs to serve no knock warrants?
When did “protect & serve” become “shock & awe”? based on anonymous tips?
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