Criminals, beware: Officers will carry assault rifle Colt AR-15

Miami Herald ^ | Apr. 26, 2005 | Miami Herald

[holymoly]

St. Petersburg police officers have added the Colt AR-15 rifle to their inventory to counter the expiration of the assault weapons ban and the appearance of more heavily armed criminals.

ST. PETERSBURG - (AP) -- The expiration of the nation's ban on the sale of assault rifles and the appearance of more heavily armed criminals have pushed more than 100 St. Petersburg police officers to order assault rifles of their own for official duty.

The first group of officers completed the required 16 hours of instruction for using Colt AR-15s in January.

The semiautomatic weapons fire bullets that travel up to 2,700 feet per second and are powerful enough to penetrate body armor.

''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.''

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.

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.''

The weapons must be stored in a hard case in the trunk of a patrol car except when being used.

They can't be modified for automatic fire, and officers must qualify with them in the shooting range each year.

Critics say that the speed and 300-yard range of the bullets pose a threat to bystanders.

Advocates say the assault rifles are vastly better than the standard Glock handguns assigned to officers and are more accurate than the pump-action shotguns that the department makes available.

[holymoly]

The author doesn't even know that the AR-15 isn't an "assault rifle" because it's semiautomatic. To be an actual assault rifle a weapon needs full auto capability and to fire a medium power round.

I once saw a study conducted of liberal reporters, etc. regarding guns & gun control. The study found that few actually knew anything about firearms and firearms nomenclature, and what's more, they weren't interested in learning.

Ignorance is bliss.

[Bonaparte]

"The weapons must be stored in a hard case in the trunk of a patrol car except when being used."

"Hi, this is the Bad Guy. Could you patch me through to the patrolling officer? Hi, officer. I'm about to shoot at you with my "assault" weapon. I know it won't fire any faster or kill you any more efficiently, but I just wanted to give you time to park your car, go back to the trunk, unlock it, get your weapon out and return fire. You say you're just finishing your donut? Ok, is 5 minutes good for you? Okay, I'll hold fire till then."

[Ladysmith]

...just making stuff up.

I'd go with that one. Sounds like prepwork to help Feinstein introduce another bill for a ban.

[blackdog]

I thought violent crime in America was down 70% compared to only a decade ago?

Oh well, can't let facts get in the way. We need more of this militarization of the local cops like an Eagle Scout needs a machine pistol sprayed in his face during a traffic stop. I'd feel safer if we just canned the SWAT business in this country. In a country with our constitution, law enforcement is a reactive gig by mandate, not a preventive or deterent force. They need to let the crime occur and then go fill out the paperwork to give the judge to allow them to go arrest the person who committed the crime. Police who try to do otherwise only serve to toss matches at an open can of gasoline surrounded by a Cubscout Troop.

[jonascord]

Did someone put LSD in the water supply? Is something leaking out of the ground in Pinnellas County that is making everyone crazy?

[GarySpFc]

M1 .30 Carbines aren't as good as AR-15. M1 .30-06 rifles are a different story; that baby packs a punch. :)

I fully agree the AR-15 is preferable to the M1 Carbine. While the .30-06 packs far more punch than the .223, I prefer using the AR-15 in an urban environment. In close quarters it is far easier to carry, and one can certainly carry a lot more .223 ammo than .30-06.

[jrd]

hey...he looks cool!

[Leatherneck_MT]

IMO They'd be better armed with the M1 .30 Carbine.

Indeed they would, but personally I'd prefer a BAR

[Tuba Guy]

The newer Colt M4 might be better for police in urban warfare.

[Ramonan]

Wow! they are just now getting AR-15's. (IF they buy one) The California Highway Patrol got AR-15's in 1994. We had three days of training. My group was at Camp Pendleton. The weapons must be stored in a hard case in the trunk of a patrol car except when being used. Why have it? The bad guys can shoot you before you can get it out. Advocates say the assault rifles are vastly better than the standard Glock handguns assigned to officers DUH! Your Glock is only accurate up to about 50 feet. DRAWBACK in California: You can use the AR-15 --IF you are on duty, in uniform. IF you are off duty and have one, you can be charged with the felony of possession of " an assault Rifle".

[Myrddin]

My local police department has real M16 rifles in the squad cars. Big deal.

[blackie]

You are right on all counts. ;)

I have several rifles in .223 cal and one in .30-06.

Be Ever Vigilant!

[Bonaparte]

Oops, better change "Miami police" to "St. Petersburg police." My bad.

[ajwharton]

Just don't keep it in the cruiser like this guy...

[demlosers]

You'd think he would have checked his sites and got a clue.

[blackdog]

Just for $hits-n-giggles I once lined up oak planks alternated with slate slabs 1" thick. Ten oak planks and ten slate slabs let a 30-06 180 grain FMJ make a hole in the front end and a fist size hole at the back end. It didn't even slow down.

The thought of using a FMJ round out of a 30-06 is terrifying! I discovered you could play Paul Bunyon with a 30-06 Springield. You aim for the center mass of hardwoods about ten feet high. The shattering of the fibers from the entry and exit causes the tree to fall during the subsequent winter freeze and winds. The woods behind our house at the time looked like a jumbo jet did a touch-n-go for years after that. Eventually we used up all my dad's old military ammo from Korea.

[ARCADIA]

Officers who want the weapons must buy them for $1,100.

hmmmm, ... either the officer is buying a personal gun, and has been authorized to carry it (which means that the $1100 is a crude estimate - and, you have to ask yourself why colt has been specifically mentioned), or the department has actually contracted to order these guns. Since the colt AR-15 is specifically mentioned, I suspect the latter; the officer may put up $1100 for it, but the department will end up paying for it.

[ChefKeith]

Are these chambered in .223 or 9mm?

[Myrddin]

Ammo weight is not a big issue for a city cop. The rifle sits in the rack inside the squad car or in the trunk 99.9999% of the time. They aren't humping rifles and ammo on foot all day long. Most engagements use the service revolver or pistol. By the time the rifle is an issue, they have called for SWAT to place snipers. This is mostly a "fluff" issue to permit officers to carry an AR-15 in the car.

[Myrddin]

Colt isn't selling to the civilian market right now. They claim they have all the business they can stand from law enforcement right now.