Most of them were .22's actually, a conscious decision to use the least expensive ammo and to reduce the risk of any rounds penetrating nearby homes and businesses. Most had a second or third weapon which was intended for actual defense rather than deterrent. (Used to have a few of them as my customers, very sharp business owners and shooters.) LAPD pulled up a few times during the day and night, not to help defend businesses, but as a place where they could take a break before going back into it.
Thank you for the history lesson. Bolt Action 22's? I am not a firearms historian ( yet :-)) but back in the day, I am not sure of who made them and if they had them up on the roof....
Hornady makes V Max bullets in .30 caliber.Weighs 110 grains and can be pushed to about 3100 FPS in a .308.As long as the bullet hits a rioter,not much danger of collateral damage.
Thanks for that bit of history!