[God defeats Darwin]

Don't have time to really post on this right now, but looks like a gun's just "a tool in the toolbox" if you're a cop. Forget about how it's a murder inducing weapon in the hands of a law-abiding citizen.

[Conspiracy Guy]

The Mayor of Birmingham is an idiot.

[coloradan]

Note that the term "assault weapon" doesn't occur in this article.

The desire almost reached fever pitch in June when officers Harley Chisolm, Rob Bennett and Carlos Owen - all armed with handguns - were shot to death with a semi-automatic SKS rifle.

Those dang SKS rifles, up and shooting cops all by themselves, again.

[Clovis_Skeptic]

"Every police officer should have access to a rifle for those situations where we're outgunned."

And so should citizens.

[rellimpank]

--aside from the rifle "issue" , a mayor with a brain would be in order---

[treadstone71]

I think it was either Boxer or Feinstein who said these types of weapons have only one purpose- to kill a lot of people.

So by saying the police need these readily available, are they saying the police need to be able to kill lots of people at a moments notice?

[Quigley]

They don't need a rifle they actually need a Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Anyone who has ever been to most parts of Birmingham would only feel safe with a .50 caliber machine gun. And yes the mayor is an idiot.

[stevie_d_64]

"Each officer who chooses to carry a rifle would first have to complete the necessary training and qualification program."

---

Kinda sad...All I had to do is go buy mine...

Don't really know how to feel about this story...

So they "need" AR-15's to do their jobs??? And the upper eschelon leadership types are dragging their heals on getting that implemented???

Thats horrible!!! I doubt that that impact will allow them to realize what we (law-abiding citizens) have to deal with when we choose to exercise and empower ourselves in the same way...

Maybe I am just feeling too much like an arse about it all...

Later,
Steve

[Fiddlstix]

.....be allowed to carry a Colt AR-15 M-4 Carbine, a Bushmaster XM-15 A-2 Carbine or a Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle...

But,.....but.......
Aren't those among the dangerous and deadly assault rifles we need to get off the streets?
(Where's the term "assault rifles" in this article, by the way?)

[DocH]

I think many police departments have become too militarized, but that adding a rifle or carbne to every officer's equipment load-out as he goes on duty is a reasonable, and smart thing to do. Once done, their department leaders need to emphasize ACCURACY over firepower, and institute the necessary training program to ensure their street cops are ready for any incident.

I also agree with you that if a firearm of this type is considered a "tool" for cops, it should also be considered as such for all law-abiding citizens. THAT also needs to be kept in mind by politicians that will no doubt whine and bleat the next time a criminal or crazy goes on a shooting rampage with one of these type of weapons.

If they aren't going to try and take these "tools" away from police that are "outgunned", even after such an unfortunate and horrible incident, then they need to forget trying to take them away from us.

Wishful thinking, I know. Whatever happens, I'm willing to give my guns up ONLY if they are willing to accept them LEAD FIRST.

[holymoly]

A coroner's report showed Griggs was shot 24 times.

If it took 24 hits (presumably with a 9mm) to stop this guy, I seriously doubt the .223 Remington is the "magic bullet" they seem to be looking for. Personally, I think they'd be better off with the M1 .30 Carbine over the AR-15/.223.

Benjamin Griggs, 58, a mentally ill Vietnam War veteran who held police at bay for two hours...three colleagues were killed with rifle bullets that pierced their armored vests

Arming officers with a .223 won't change the fact that Kevlar soft body armor will not stop a centerfire rifle round.

[Condor51]

Ok , I'm series.

Screw the AR-15.
Get a REAL rifle, an M-14. That'll take out any bad guy with an SKS.

It's that physics thingy, F=ma
In English, .308 beats .223 OR the SKS 7.62x39 (however personally I'd rather have the 7.62x39 than a wimpy .223)

Please no Flaming, I just don't like 'little' bullets or the concept behind the M-16 as a main battle rifle, i.e.; wound one enemy and then you take three people out of the fight. That concept only works when your enemy isn't a member of a death cult.

[Cold Heat]

"Here we were out there looking for these guys," Treadaway said of the first responders, "and we were carrying handguns."

The police in Bagdad had the same complaint, but I hesitate to compare the two.

[stompk]

the AR-15's are in stock. . they just cannot issue them until the same number of black balaclavas are available . . .

/sarcasm

[Servant of the 9]

The drafted rifle policy, completed in July, calls for officers to be allowed to carry a Colt AR-15 M-4 Carbine, a Bushmaster XM-15 A-2 Carbine or a Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle. Each officer who chooses to carry a rifle would first have to complete the necessary training and qualification program.

Just bought my son an M-4 carbine for his trunk.
Thank God his department isn't run by idiots.

So9

[Logical me]

Can anyone please post the number of times a criminal has used a "assault rifle". Seems to me I can only remember a few and they were not successful in doing anything but looking stupid and one I know of bleed to death after being filled with holes in spite of the bulletproof vest he had on.

[Chewbacca]

I would rather carry a Marlin .450 Guide gun with a scope than a .223 caliber firearm. More knockdown power against perps.

[OldEagle]

A rifle is a good idea. About the 24 hits, presumably from pistols, it would be safe to say that the majority of those hits were poorly placed.

[paul51]

"We are outgunned, bottom line

A lot of police chiefs around the country don't have a problem with putting responsible, law abiding citizens in this position. How does it feel?

[D Rider]

I love it, they want to supplement a 9mm pea shooter with a 5.56mm pea shooter.

They should consider moving to a .40 cal and a .30 cal. Firearms really should go bang bang, not pop pop.

[Brytani]

Last time I checked, cops do not have to worry about law abiding citizens carrying AR-15's and trying to take them out.

However, they do have to worry about CRIMINALS with weapons stronger than they are issued trying to kill them.

You have a bitch with gun laws, take it out on the politicians who pass them, not the police who's job it is to enforce the laws idiotic pols pass.