Milwaukee Police Upgrade To "Military-grade" Firearms

[atxgun]

http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-090423 ... 3585.story" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Civilians own AR's too, why not call them "Civilian-grade"? I've never served but I imagine the military utilizes shotguns as well, yet they're not considered "military-grade"?

[jimlongley]

"High-caliber" weapons

[pedalman]

It seems apropos to me. After all their Chief refers to his officers as "troops".

[ddurkof]

Just remember that Chief's are politicians with a uniform. Did you notice the empty LAWS rocket? I didn't hear of anyone being attacked with a LAWS rocket recently did you? I mean north of the Mexican border. And someone is lying too. I don't think that S&W is giving them a one for one trade on the shotguns they are turning in.

[kd5zex]

[flynbenny]

I remember some similar story on Channel 8 here in DFW when the Addison Police Dept. bought PS90's for their patrol cars.

[Lodge2004]

Nothing wrong with properly equipping law enforcement. It's amazing how some things never change but the press is always touting them as "new" trends -

"Most bandits have bullet-proof vests, machine guns, plenty of ammunition and cooperation" - Ed McGivern "Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting" circa 1938.

[wheelgun1958]

http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-090423 ... 3585.story

Civilians own AR's too, why not call them "Civilian-grade"? I've never served but I imagine the military utilizes shotguns as well, yet they're not considered "military-grade"?

If you are not in the military and subject to the UCMJ, you are a civilian.

[Mithras61]

Isn't this the same nitwit Chief that wants to arrest citizens for legally carrying a pistol?

[stevie_d_64]

Isn't this the same nitwit Chief that wants to arrest citizens for legally carrying a pistol?

Well, it is a very cheesy state to begin with...

[tfrazier]

Wouldn't it be nice if more firearms manufacturers followed Ronnie G. Barrett's lead when the anti second amendment police chiefs come along with their pocket books open?: "I will not sell, nor service, my rifles to those seeking to infringe upon the Constitution and the crystal clear rights it affords individual to own firearms." See below for full context.

December 11, 2002
Via Facsimile (213) 847-0676 and
U.S. Mail


Chief William J. Bratton
Los Angeles Police Department
150 North Los Angeles Street
Los Angeles, California 90012


Re: LAPD 82A1 Rifle, Serial No. 1186


Point of Contact: Jim xxxxx
213-xxx-xxxx
*



Dear Chief Bratton,


I, a U.S. citizen, own Barrett Firearms Mfg. Inc., and for 20 years, I have built .50 caliber rifles for my fellow citizens, for their Law Enforcement departments and for their nation’s armed forces.


You may be aware of the latest negative misinformation campaign from a Washington based anti-gun group, the Violence Policy Center. The VPC has, for three or so years, been unsuccessful in Washington, D.C. trying to demonize and ban a new subclass of firearms, the .50 caliber and other “too powerful” rifles. This type of nibbling process has been historically successful in civilian disarmament of other nations governed by totalitarian and other regimes less tolerant of individual rights than the United States.


The VPC’s most recent efforts directs this misinformation campaign at your state, attempting to get any California body to pass any law against .50 caliber firearms. In March 2002, the VPC caused the California State Assembly, Public Safety Committee to consider and reject the issue by a 5 to 0 with 1 abstaining vote.


Regrettably, the same material has been presented to your city council. I personally attended the council meeting in Los Angeles regarding attempts to ban ownership of the .50 caliber rifle in your city. I was allowed to briefly address the council. The tone of the discussion was mostly emotionally based, so the facts that I attempted to provide were ineffective to the extent they were heard at all. The council voted to have the city attorney draft an ordinance to ban the .50, and further, to instruct the city’s representatives in Sacrament and in Washington, D.C. to push for bans at their respective levels.


At that council meeting, I was very surprised to see an LAPD officer seated front and center with a Barrett 82A1 .50 cal. Rifle. It was the centerpiece of the discussion. As you know, there have been no crimes committed with these rifles, and most importantly, current California law does not allow the sale of the M82A1 in the state because of its detachable magazine and features that make it an “assault weapon.” This rifle was being deceptively used by your department. The officer portrayed it as a sample of a currently available .50 cal rifle, available for sale to the civilians of Los Angeles. One councilman even questioned how this rifle was available under current laws, but as I stated, facts were ineffective that day.


Your officer, speaking for the LAPD, endorsed the banning of this rifle and its ammunition. Then he used the rifle for photo ops with the Councilmen, each of whom, in handling the firearm, may have been committing a felony. I was amazed.


Since 1968, with the closing of the U.S. Springfield Armory, all of the small arms produced for the various government agencies are from the private sector. Every handgun, rifle or shotgun that law enforcement needs comes from this firearms industry. Unless the City of Los Angeles has plans of setting up its own firearms manufacturing, it may need to guard the manufacturing sources it has now.


When I returned to my office from Los Angeles, I found an example of our need for mutual cooperation. Your department had sent one of your 82A1 rifles in to us for service. All of my knowledge in the use of my rifle in the field of law enforcement had been turned upside down by witnessing how your department used yours. Not to protect and serve, but for deception, photo opportunities, and to further an ill-conceived effort that may result in the use of LA taxpayer monies to wage losing political battles in Washington against civil liberties regarding gun ownership.


Please excuse my slow response on the repair service of the rifle. I am battling to what service I am repairing the rifle for. I will not sell, nor service, my rifles to those seeking to infringe upon the Constitution and the crystal clear rights it affords individual to own firearms.


I implore you to investigate the facts of the .50, to consider the liberties of the law-abiding people and our mutual coexistence, and to change your department’s position on this issue.


Sincerely,
BARRETT FIREARMS MANUFACTURING, INC.

Ronnie G. Barrett
President