Troopers training to carry submachine guns at Logan (MP-5's)

boston.com (old story, cached on Yahoo) ^ | 5/1/2003 | AP

[Teacher317]

Troopers training to carry submachine guns at Logan
By Associated Press, 5/1/2003 10:04

BOSTON (AP) A specially trained state police unit will begin patrolling Logan International Airport with submachine guns next month, making the airport the first in the country to use such heavy weaponry.

The Massachusetts Port Authority, which oversees Logan, has purchased 30 of the guns for $2,500 each. The MP-5's have 30-round clips and a two-round burst capacity, which allows two shots to be fired automatically with one push of the trigger.

Massport Chief Executive Officer Craig Coy said the new weaponry, which will be deployed in June, will act as a deterrent to terrorism.

''It's part of an overall system, an overall approach, to make sure that we have the resources in place, that we have the training in place, that we have the right people in place, and that we have the right equipment in place,'' Coy said.

Since the Sept. 11 attacks, which were carried out with the help of two planes hijacked from Logan, the airport has prided itself on its aggressive pursuit of security improvements. It was the first in the country to have an in-line baggage screen plan approved by the Transportation Security Administration and the first to use several forms of high-tech security technology.

National Guard officers deployed to American airports after the attacks were armed with submachine guns, but this will be the first time they are used as a permanent part of an airport's security force.

Coy predicted that the presence of the guns, which have long been used at European airports, would bring peace of mind to the traveling public.

''I think there's going to be the sense of comfort knowing that we have well-trained people there with the right equipment,'' Coy said.

Members of the special Anti-Terrorism Unit, which is made up of members of the state police troop stationed at Logan, will receive intensive training to become certified on use of the MP-5's. Training includes live-fire drills, night firing and special tactics.

The MP-5's are outfitted with a noise suppressor units so they'll create less alarm among travelers if they're used. The guns are also designed for accuracy in indoor environments.

[spodefly]

A specially trained state police unit will begin patrolling Logan International Airport with submachine guns next month, making the airport the first in the country to use such heavy weaponry.

Since when is 9mm considered heavy weaponry?

The MP-5's have 30-round clips and a two-round burst capacity, which allows two shots to be fired automatically with one push of the trigger.

I have significant firarms experience, and I have yet to push a trigger.

The MP-5's are outfitted with a noise suppressor units so they'll create less alarm among travelers if they're used.

"It's OK, honey ... I know he is shooting bad guys, but it is quiet, so don't be alarmed."

The guns are also designed for accuracy in indoor environments.

Outdoors they are wildly inaccurate, however ...

Typical media story on firearms ... they have no clue about the mechanics involved, but don't let that stop them

Once while travelling through Frankfurt airport hand-carrying some professional video gear on a flight to Nice, I was escorted to a security room by a uniformed German police officer carrying an automatic weapon. I thought it was pretty cool. Not sure what type weapon is was, but all of the security personnel had them.

[jdege]

I seem to remember an incident at LAX, where someone was targetting people in the terminal.

Terrorists are opportunists - they'll attack whereever they see weakness.

[adx]

IIRC, the ones they were showing were the SD version (integral silencer and vented barrel), which are intended to be used with standard 9mm.

[husky ed]

Buy American - Thompson Sub-Machinegun

[wysiwyg]

...30-round clips and a two-round burst capacity...

If I'm not mistaken, they can fire a three-round burst, not two. Also, clips? How about magazine? I'm so sick of ignorant reporting.

[freeper12]

>>Could someone please remind us what the definition of a police state is again?

Take a drive around Massachusetts and you will know...feel safer now?

I did a 12 mile drive the other day in western mass (small towns) and passed no less than 9 cops on patrol....budget crisis, what budget crisis??

[wardaddy]

That HK is very "urban and sophisticated looking" but I'd prefer this for the same environment (preferably with a drum...do they make a betamag for Tommies?):

BTW...is not HK now making a full auto version of their USP "greygun"?

[freeeee]

I seem to remember an incident at LAX, where someone was targetting people in the terminal.

A security guard armed with a handgun ended that real quick. I wonder how he did it without an MP-5.

Besides, I seem to remember any number of shotting incidents elsewhere: streets, schools you name it. Should we have MP-5 toting SWAT teams on every corner?

I don't have a problem with airports keeping these things handy if needed on standby. I don't like the police state atmosphere they're creating by walking around with them. It reeks of an occupation force in a conquered nation, not the peace officers of a free country.

[wardaddy]

Your dream date hoss!

[Badray]

I have always wanted one of those and there is no real reason that one should cost more than a few hundred bucks. Damn the gun grabbers.

[wardaddy]

you beat me to it...sorry to be redundant.

[tracer]

Nice bazookas....

[MoralSense]

I generally agree with you that police are way too militarized. (The Forest Service guys and gals started packing pistols at the Bunker Hill Monument in the 1990s -- sheesh!) But you're wrong that terrorists don't attack air terminals. In the 80s, the most common terrorist attack in Europe was to hose down a terminal. It hasn't been done lately, but it's easy, it's cheap, and it's horrifying. Somebody's bound to think of it.

[Atlas Sneezed]

First, they are paying double the market price.

Second, why do they need suppressed guns for shooting criminals in a public place? Don't they want the citizen bystanders to react naturally by dropping to the ground?!

Third, the MP5SD is not "heavy weaponry" by any stretch of the imagination.

Fourth, the MP5SD is designed for stardanrd (not subsonic) ammo, as its barrel has perforations that bleed off the gases to reduce muzzle velocity to subsonic. Lots more info here: http://www.hkpro.com/mp5sd.htm

Fifth, our militarized police units are the standing army our founders feared.

[TERMINATTOR]

Don't you feel safer now? (/sarcasm)

[in the Arena]

designed for accuracy in indoor environments.

What the heck does that mean ?

[jdege]

Nope.

We should have law-abiding citizens carrying whatever they want, wherever they please.

[Atlas Sneezed]

"If I'm not mistaken, they can fire a three-round burst, not two."

There is an optional 0-1-2 trigger group (Along with SEF, S-1-20/25, SF, 0-1-3, 0-1-full, 0-1-2-full, 0-1-3-full.)

[earlyapex]

There are 2 round burst trigger packs as well. You can get a 0-1-2, or 0-1-2-auto, etc. 3 rb is more common. But, I bet these are 0-1-2 with no full auto. Once they are comfortable with their training, they can trade their trigger packs in for a navy or traditional 0-1-20. It is boston.

By the way, the boston swat team has had MP5s in .40 or 10mm for quite a while. They were quite apparent in those pictures from the workplace shooting there on the day after Christmas a few years ago.

[freeeee]

In the 80s, the most common terrorist attack in Europe was to hose down a terminal.

Ok, I take your point. But even without these MP-5's airports already have the highest armed guard to target ratio around.

They're already too difficult a target for too little damage. Terrorists MO is large targets with the least amount of resistance. They'd already do better attacking a shopping mall or even a crowded sidewalk. Are we going to have rifle toting police forces everywhere people congregate?