Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Indianapolis police train to use M-16 rifles
WHAS ^ | 12/01/2004

Posted on 12/03/2004 1:54:14 PM PST by 4.1O dana super trac pak

Twenty Indianapolis police officers were training to use M-16 rifles, with the weapons expected to be available to patrol officers by the end of the week, officials said.

"There are specific situations where they are going to be used," Deputy Chief James Reno said. "It gives us other options. This may be something they can have in their arsenal."

Indianapolis police have faced the same types of weapons several times in recent years, The Indianapolis Star reported Wednesday.

In August, a man fired an SKS-style rifle in a southside neighborhood and killed Patrolman Timothy "Jake" Laird from more than 150 yards away.

"I think it's a great weapon," said Marlon Douglas, one of the officers being trained to carry the M-16. "After the Jake Laird incident, we just want to make sure we're ready for anything."

The department is using the Colt M-16, A1, the same rifle used by American troops during the Vietnam War. The department bought the 218 surplus weapons from a federal armory in Illinois, the Star reported.

The rifles were modified to remove the automatic firing capability. The original rifle can keep firing for as long as the shooter holds the trigger, while these rifles fire just one shot for each squeeze, officials said.

Police officials said they will distribute the M-16s to officers who work different shifts and districts so the weapons will always be available.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; US: Indiana
KEYWORDS: bang; leo; m16
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-49 next last

1 posted on 12/03/2004 1:54:14 PM PST by 4.1O dana super trac pak
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: 4.1O dana super trac pak
The rifles were modified to remove the automatic firing capability. The original rifle can keep firing for as long as the shooter holds the trigger, while these rifles fire just one shot for each squeeze, officials said.

No offense to any law enforcement types here, but after some spray-and-pray shootouts by cops in the past, I say 'thank God.'

2 posted on 12/03/2004 1:56:44 PM PST by Yo-Yo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 4.1O dana super trac pak
Still, it's an excellent firearm. They need some of this in San Francisco...
3 posted on 12/03/2004 2:00:27 PM PST by Edgerunner (The left ain't right. Hand me that launch pickle...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Yo-Yo

Cool, now the Indy police will at least have a fair fight in the next shootout!

Good for them.


4 posted on 12/03/2004 2:00:57 PM PST by IllumiNaughtyByNature (I got a fever, and the only prescription is MORE COWBELLS!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: 4.1O dana super trac pak
So they'll use the three round burst instead of the fully automatic. I was partial to the A1 in basic training. Didn't like the A2.

Then I got to carry the M-205, an M-16 with a grenade launcher attached, in permanent party.

Will cops get to use the fully automatic M-60 next?


5 posted on 12/03/2004 2:02:42 PM PST by rdb3 (LoRdZ of the Gen-X Republican Rebellion -- rdb3 "HiP-hOp FReeper")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Yo-Yo
--yes---I would submit that there is never a need for full auto fire in police work--
6 posted on 12/03/2004 2:03:50 PM PST by rellimpank
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: 4.1O dana super trac pak

Hope they spend some time at the range.


7 posted on 12/03/2004 2:09:10 PM PST by Conspiracy Guy (This space is available to advertise your service or product.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Edgerunner

Every cop should have and M16 and an Uzi.


8 posted on 12/03/2004 2:12:36 PM PST by nanak (Tom Tancredo 2008:Last Hope to Save America)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: rellimpank
--yes---I would submit that there is never a need for full auto fire in police work--

I'm sure the US Border Patrol could find a use for full auto.

9 posted on 12/03/2004 2:14:07 PM PST by Ajnin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: 4.1O dana super trac pak
How... antiquated. My department, in CA, allows officers, any and all officers, who qualify with an AR-15 to carry one on duty, every shift. It sits right there in the lock, next to the Remington.

It's actually become quite passe, and I got tired of the bother, so it's just me, my Sig .45 and the .12 gauge.

10 posted on 12/03/2004 2:14:50 PM PST by Pahuanui (When a foolish man hears of the Tao, he laughs out loud)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 4.1O dana super trac pak
(snip)The rifles were modified to remove the automatic firing capability.

Uh... wouldn't that make them AR15s? Not that there's anything wrong with that but wouldn't you rather have a new AR15 than a stripped down or modified M16A1?

11 posted on 12/03/2004 2:16:50 PM PST by edchambers ("Pajama clad Neocon footsoldier of the Haliburton Death squad")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Yo-Yo

You ain't kidding. The very last thing you need in a shootout with some nutjob is a trigger happy cop spraying bullets in a 30 degree arc.


12 posted on 12/03/2004 2:26:11 PM PST by Blood of Tyrants (God is not a Republican. But Satan is definitely a Democrat.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Ajnin

With respect to your background and what you do, IMHO the US-Mexican border situation should be considered a military situation--


13 posted on 12/03/2004 2:30:41 PM PST by rellimpank
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: K4Harty

They might have been better off with the M-14. It fires a a .308 round instead of a 7.62x39 and has a lot more range and a lot more penetrating power. Partucularly useful if the enemy is wearing body armor.


14 posted on 12/03/2004 2:58:00 PM PST by libstripper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: libstripper

Good point, but if they are still running around with the .38/9mm and a 12ga. ANYTHING would be better, the M-14 would be outstanding.


15 posted on 12/03/2004 3:01:41 PM PST by IllumiNaughtyByNature (I got a fever, and the only prescription is MORE COWBELLS!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: 4.1O dana super trac pak

I wouldn't buy the Colt version. Give me a Bushmaster.


16 posted on 12/03/2004 3:05:15 PM PST by O.C. - Old Cracker (When the cracker gets old, you wind up with Old Cracker. - O.C.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 4.1O dana super trac pak

If they don't have a H&K MP5 in every vehicle, then they're not up to par with Dalworthington Gardens, Texas.


17 posted on 12/03/2004 3:06:00 PM PST by Deaf Smith
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rellimpank

No there is not, but there are times that a rifle is needed.

Cops have carried rifles throughout the years, this is not a new thing. It's news worthy because they are "ugly guns"

They have carried anything from 22's for stray, injured animals in the country to M-1 Carbines and 30-30 lever actions for things that a shotgun is not appropriate for


18 posted on 12/03/2004 3:06:17 PM PST by 5Madman2 (DemocRATS are Vermin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: 5Madman2
--I agree and the officers should know how (and when) to use a rifle, be it a lever action .30-30 or whatever.

As an aside to this , I know of a county where a Mini-14 was available in the trunk of a squad car. By whatever means , it became so rusted as to be unusable. The solution--replace it with a stainless steel model!

19 posted on 12/03/2004 3:13:23 PM PST by rellimpank
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: rellimpank

Stainless steel is good, but they still need to maintain it Oil does wonders. The great thing about the Mini 14 is that they would only need to wipe it down every once in a while


20 posted on 12/03/2004 3:21:01 PM PST by 5Madman2 (DemocRATS are Vermin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-49 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson