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.

[Cogadh na Sith]

Y'know... I think the troopers should rather train on spotting murderous wogs than on any maching gun.

[texasflatpicker]

I'm going to get a class 3 inthe near future, and hopefully get 2 variants of mp5. The mp5k and mp5n...should be around 12-20k$ worth of gun. I'd also better learn how to reload, those things go through 9mm like butta, lol.

[Squantos]

Exactly.....get those guys in vegas who can pick out a guy counting cards at a hunnerd yards and teach him to go after tangos. Then something as simple as a ruger supressed 77/44 bolt gun can be employed for a right eye , left eye solution to the problem at hand.

I heard the gomer in charge of the Logan Airplane Patch state .....well they do it in England !...............

Socialism ...arriving concourse B gate 5.

Stay Safe !

[wardaddy]

LOL...I watched the Bronson/Coburn flick "Hard Times" for the umpteenth time with Mrs. Wardaddy last night. In the great bareknuckle fight scenes...she commented that those guys sure looked old to be fighting even if in such good shape.

I told her that old guys could still fight just not as long....it better be over rather quick or both guys will be on the floor panting hugging each other.

My old man could still fight hard at 60....I learned.

[blackbart.223]

Now that's a work of art.

[Squantos]

That's a chocolate chip cookie that makes the term fox hole something to ponder...........

Yeah I know ....horndog !

Stay Safe !

[Squantos]

It's not the years it's the sudden stops brother ! I'm 48 and feel 102. Back , knees , neck......shot to hell ! Jacuzzi, beer, bicycle and Girl Friday massage therapy needed daily or else I freeze up pretty bad.

Stay Safe !!

[Travis McGee]

Who's the babe doing the Ranya impression with the Tommygun?

[Cogadh na Sith]

get those guys in vegas who can pick out a guy counting cards at a hunnerd yards and teach him to go after tangos.

Y'know.. That is actually a really good point.

'Stead of the 77/44: Have you seen that weird Hi-velocity necked-down .22 thing? -- the .17 cal? I'll bet that little thingey is accurate as hell.

Every airport should have a Pit Boss that could grab any suspicious Swarthy-American who tried to sneak aboard a plane. The casinos have unobtrusive yet very, very thorough security. Why can't the airports? When is the last time there was a robbery of a casino? When was the last time anyone was killed in a casino?

That should be the model for airport security.

[wardaddy]

You're going to Hell...course I'll be right behind ya!

[wardaddy]

I don't know her personally....wish I did....course that's if I was SINGLE.

Texas Outfit...no suprise there huh?

more links:

http://www.gungirls.com/

[ladyinred]

Considering that we have terrorists in this very country, I don't think this is out of line at all. Too bad we weren' t as viligant on Sept 11th. Our world has changed, and why some people can't see that is a mystery to me.

[Travis McGee]

Good grief, that site has more chicks with guns pics than you could click on in a year! Thousands! Here's one at random. I like the Mac, what can I say?

[Travis McGee]

(I forgot to mention how easily the Mac-10 fits in an overnight tote bag for the gal on the go. Great for airline carry on.)

[Cogadh na Sith]

Our world has changed, and why some people can't see that is a mystery to me.

Actually, the world has not changed--it is only that we are willing to recognize their hatred for us.

The world changed in '93 when they bombed the WTC the first time. No one noticed nor cared.

[CWOJackson]

All too often our officers are out gunned by criminals. I'm all in favor of providing them some parity AND the training for those weapons.

Why this would intimidate the citizenry is beyond me.

[ladyinred]

You are right actually. We sure noticed however on Sept 11th didn't we? Too bad it took something like that. Before however, we were told these were criminals and we had to bring them to justice. Actually, these attacks were all acts of war.

[Squantos]

You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who can do nothing for them or to them ....:o)......She's safe !

Stay Safe !

[CurlyDave]

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.

This member of the traveling public would feel much greater peace of mind if he could simply carry his own revolver.

[Cogadh na Sith]

I agree completely.