Free Republic

The St. Louis Police Department has decided to sell 27 of its historic and valuable Thompson submachine guns in an effort to raise the funds necessary to purchase new duty firearms for its officers, according to a report from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Kentucky-based Midwest Distributors has agreed to pay $22,000 for each of the iconic rifles, but they will likely sell the old police arsenal to private parties for much, much more.

Whether used by hero or villain, this is one iconic, badass firearm, even the fictional Captain America partner Bucky Barnes used with great effect on the silver screen. It doesn't matter who is firing it or if it's just on display, the Thompson submachine gun is one wicked cool piece of firearms history. From prohibition era gangsters and outlaws to cops and WWII heroes, the Thompson has become a legitimate icon of American firearms lore and even mythology. I recently held a Thompson (but didn't get to fire it) and I have to say, yes, I did feel pretty badass...

Tommy Guns and the Steelers laid waste yet again to the Clowns. My only regret is that Vinnie Intercepteverdie was not the Clown QB.