Cops carrying Rifles?

[Shepherd]

Hey!! Quick question... I know some cops have AR-15's... or other rifles in there cars. I think just AR's? It just seems ridiculous to me that cops are armed with handguns and a shotgun. Even with the shotgun dont you have to get in the back of the car and get it? It just seems unfair because my friend who is a cop... me and him where talking about this and he knew a guy who pulled a guy over and the guy got out and starting shooting at him with an Automatic weapon. I saw something similar on youtube as well. I went to Mexico a LONG TIME AGO... and I remember the airport Police there sat on roofs with AK's. It's just a little different. I haven't been to an airport here lately and I don't know if we do that now since 9/11 or not... but in the future is it possible that the police in USA will have AR's on their side at all times? Like I said it just gets to me that Law Enforcement has handguns when they are faced with automatic weapons. There is always a SWAT team but they have to be called in and takes longer. I have seen cops with AR's though. Just not all of them. Can anyone help me out here? Thanks guys.:grin:

[Kimble]

It just seems ridiculous to me that cops are armed with handguns and a shotgun. Even with the shotgun dont you have to get in the back of the car and get it?

I doubt the public in most areas will accept cops carrying rifles across their chests on slings. Not saying it wouldn't be a good idea tactically, but I just don't see that being a reality for police across the nation.

Shotguns are often carried in the front of the car (next to the officer) in a locked stand, so that they can easily access it if needed. Some may store the weapon in a vehicle trunk, but most patrol cars I've seen have the weapon right next to the officer.

Also, shotguns are one of the most versatile weapons out there. Other than buckshot, they can be loaded with slug (giving a lot of the same benefits of a rifle round), as well as various non-lethal ammunition when needed (breaching rounds, gas rounds, rubber projectiles, etc.). Shotguns are one of the best weapons available to cops on the streets.

It just seems unfair because my friend who is a cop... me and him where talking about this and he knew a guy who pulled a guy over and the guy got out and starting shooting at him with an Automatic weapon. I saw something similar on youtube as well. I went to Mexico a LONG TIME AGO... and I remember the airport Police there sat on roofs with AK's. It's just a little different. I haven't been to an airport here lately and I don't know if we do that now since 9/11 or not... but in the future is it possible that the police in USA will have AR's on their side at all times?

I hear where you're coming from, believe me. I'm a firearms instructor, so I know well the advantages that long guns bring to the table in a deadly force situation, but replacing standard pistol sidearms with long guns for all patrol cops probably will never happen. I think what is likely a better, more reasonable response is to arm all patrol cops with long guns IN ADDITION TO the sidearm they carry on their hip. Federal grants could help in making this a reality.

There is always a SWAT team but they have to be called in and takes longer.

You might think that, but that's not always true, especially for smaller agencies and ones in rural areas. A few years ago I responded to a call of a smaller PD (I worked for a larger sheriff's office) that was taking shots from a crazy guy who shot at the officers with a rifle through his residence front door. They had no SWAT unit, and had to wait (while taking cover from other shots) in the suspect's front yard until our department was reached and assembled a SWAT response.

Again, another reason why long guns should be available to patrol officers, even in smaller departments.

[Shepherd]

I doubt the public in most areas will accept cops carrying rifles across their chests on slings. Not saying it wouldn't be a good idea tactically, but I just don't see that being a reality for police across the nation.

Shotguns are often carried in the front of the car (next to the officer) in a locked stand, so that they can easily access it if needed. Some may store the weapon in a vehicle trunk, but most patrol cars I've seen have the weapon right next to the officer.

Also, shotguns are one of the most versatile weapons out there. Other than buckshot, they can be loaded with slug (giving a lot of the same benefits of a rifle round), as well as various non-lethal ammunition when needed (breaching rounds, gas rounds, rubber projectiles, etc.). Shotguns are one of the best weapons available to cops on the streets.
I hear where you're coming from, believe me. I'm a firearms instructor, so I know well the advantages that long guns bring to the table in a deadly force situation, but replacing standard pistol sidearms with long guns for all patrol cops probably will never happen. I think what is likely a better, more reasonable response is to arm all patrol cops with long guns IN ADDITION TO the sidearm they carry on their hip. Federal grants could help in making this a reality.


You might think that, but that's not always true, especially for smaller agencies and ones in rural areas. A few years ago I responded to a call of a smaller PD (I worked for a larger sheriff's office) that was taking shots from a crazy guy who shot at the officers with a rifle through his residence front door. They had no SWAT unit, and had to wait (while taking cover from other shots) in the suspect's front yard until our department was reached and assembled a SWAT response.

Again, another reason why long guns should be available to patrol officers, even in smaller departments.

Awesome. Thanks for the info. That's cool your a firearms instructor.

[pac201]

here's what we carry...(me in the pic)

[retdetsgt]

This was mine.

[Kimble]

This was mine.

I'd like to believe that, and maybe it was closer to your retirement, but I'm willing to bet your "first" one was more along the lines of this:

[retdetsgt]

That was kinda high tech.

This was my original academy issue:

[Shepherd]

I'd like to believe that, and maybe it was closer to your retirement, but I'm willing to bet your "first" one was more along the lines of this:

Well **** I don't know what would be worse, getting hit with an arrow or a bullet! I'm just going to go ahead and say neither but that thing looks narly lol

[scott715us]

We have M4s and shotguns in our vehicles and we are an airport pd. There are also rifles available for the Terminal with suppressors. We don't want to hurt anyone's ears when we're shooting at the bad guys inside. :D

[Shepherd]

We have M4s and shotguns in our vehicles and we are an airport pd. There are also rifles available for the Terminal with suppressors. We don't want to hurt anyone's ears when we're shooting at the bad guys inside. :D

Well I am sure the civilians appreciate the suppressors. That's cool, I kinda remember now... I took my brother to the airport for him when he went to Hawaii and I remember guys walking around with Sub Machine Guns and stuff. I am not going to say what it was because I honestly don't know. Looked like an MP5... but it's probably different. I remember though I saw that and that was the first time I been to an Airport after 9/11. I was like whoa.. :O