Are cops allowed to use Rifles?

[mruiz46]

Can a Cop use a Rifle? Such as a AR 15, i'm not sure what rifles cops got. Do they need to be part of a special team? Or can they use a rifle if they want to with training?

[CO1259]

It depends on the department.

[mruiz46]

How about the Florida Highway Patrol, Orlando Area. I've seen on the show COPS, some cops with a Rifle/Shotgun in car. Thats why im curious

[dogcop]

Umm, chances are if they HAVE the rifles that means they are able to and allowed to use them.

[luckydog]

we have rifles and shotguns in the cars and are allowed to use them

[akflyer]

we have rifles and shotguns in the cars and are allowed to use them

You're allowed to have them AND use them???

[R12GS]

You're allowed to have them AND use them???

I know right?!?! Such a novel idea!

[Monty Ealerman]

They just started allowing it in Patrol Division in Chicago for those who take the training.

[Blackdog F4i]

Different departments run different equipment.

I am allowed to and do carry a personally owned M4 type rifle. I still keep the shotgun in the trunk though. Some things are just better suited to a large payload of lead.

[caseypj]

I have a question for officers with patrol rifles in states with an "assault weapons ban". Does your department furnish you with a normal AR-15 that is semi-automatic, or do they provide you with a weapon that'd fall into a class 3 category and have the option of selective fire?

[Blackdog F4i]

That is also going to be dependant on individual departments.

MOST departments do not furnish regular patrol officers with select-fire weapons. The cost of training and the added legal justification is not worth the tactical advantage. It takes a LOT more training to be proficient with a fully automatic weapon. These are usually reserved for tactical teams.

[LA DEP]

I have a question for officers with patrol rifles in states with an "assault weapons ban". Does your department furnish you with a normal AR-15 that is semi-automatic, or do they provide you with a weapon that'd fall into a class 3 category and have the option of selective fire?

No select fire weapons issued here....only SEB gets to play with those.....

The AR-15s that are issued are Vietnam era weapons.....we got a bunch from the military many years ago.....

[LA DEP]

I have a question for officers with patrol rifles in states with an "assault weapons ban". Does your department furnish you with a normal AR-15 that is semi-automatic, or do they provide you with a weapon that'd fall into a class 3 category and have the option of selective fire?

Dup post

[Mike 842]

Can a Cop use a Rifle? Such as a AR 15, i'm not sure what rifles cops got. Do they need to be part of a special team? Or can they use a rifle if they want to with training?

Back in the late 60's and early 70's, Police were armed with revolvers and shotguns. Whenever chaos erupted, they would bring in whatever they had at home in the closet, M1 Garand or carbine, scoped hunting rifle, etc. Finally agencies began to realize that Officers needed to be better armed and adapted policies for rifle programs for those that weren't Swat people. Generally, the Officer has to have a minimum of 2 years on and get approval from administration. The Officer also has to attend a minimum 20 hour rifle course and pass. He than gets a letter of authorization to buy a rifle from an approved list and has guidelines on how and where to carry the weapon and If it is deployed, it has to be documented why. He also has to qualify quarterly with the rifle and use only dept. issued ammunition. Those in Swat get to qualify monthly and put on the rifle programs and on-going training.

[Blackdog F4i]

OR you request authorization to carry, purchase an approved weapon, qualify and rock on. (that's how it works here)

Of course that is assuming that you live in a state that still allows it's citizens to be armed without some special "blessing" from on high.