Posted on 10/13/2006 12:41:54 AM PDT by kingattax
The Laredo Police Department is the only force in South Texas to arm their entire force with assault weapons. The department has seen an increase in dangerous seizures - everything from explosives, to bulletproof vests and automatic weapons. That's why they're matching the firepower.
I think the officers feel - they feel safer and better able to react in a situation, explains Laredo Police Department Assistant Police chief Fructuoso San Miguel III. The goal of the police department - and I think we'll reach it very, very soon - is to equip every officer in this department with a long rifle and equip them with the best bulletproof vest.
He plans to pay for the new guns by turning drug money into police firepower. The chief says by the end of next year, the entire police force will be safer.
We want to make sure that our officers have the technology and also the weapons necessary to protect themselves and protect the public, San Miguel tells WOAI.
Laredo has only had 16 murders this year, but they have seen a spillover from other crimes across the border
The column is confusing. The word, "automatic weapons," "assault weapons" and "long rifle" are used.
I don't know if automatic rifles are a good idea for their situation. Automatic weapons are good for two scenarios that I can recall offhand:
* For coordinated work in groups (fire teams, for example--requires many drills) to issue a volume of fire greater than the enemy in an encounter.
* To use automatic rifles to fire bursts to stop enemies while only pointing (instead of aiming), as one would use a shotgun. ...requires thousands of rounds of practice, works at close range only, and not everyone does well at it.
Maybe teamwork drills and semi-auto issue would be wiser. Or maybe that's what the Laredo Police Department is actually doing.
Semi or fully auto?
"Semi or fully auto?"
no kidding, what have they been using, muzzle loaders?
I'll bet they are referring to semi-auto long guns, probably AR-15s, not fully automatic weapons. The left with a lot of help from the media has succeeded in instilling in peoples minds the idea there are only two classes of long guns: semi-auto/auto/assault rifles (bad and should be banned to civilians), and bolt action/pump guns (also bad let the hunters keep them). This is a tactic that the left is so good at. Pro abortion becomes pro choice; nationalism becomes xenophobia, and on and on.
The only way to combat this is if enough people complain to the reporter and the media outlet every single time they do it.
I think you're right.
I don't care! Where do I sign up?
Seriously, I'd be a tad happier if the article also discussed training. A good gun is one thing, a good brain is another.
We need The Army or the National Guard on that border.
Laredo --- isn't that where the NAFTA super highway enters Texas? We export jobs to Mexico, Mexico exports drugs, crime, and poverty to America. That's free trade?????
Well they did say long rifles. I am thinking Last of the Mohicans.
The drug lords and illegals would be forced else where to try and cross. No one actually ever has to be killed, just that great possibility in the minds of the perps is all that is needed for a strong deterrent.
The federal government can make this happen if they choose, but the NWO is the goal, at least right now, in the form of The Organization of North American States.
I agree with you, automatic serves almost no purpose to a border patrol agent.
"We export jobs to Mexico, Mexico exports drugs, crime, and poverty to America. That's free trade?????"
Yes!
You know, this still won't stop a person from herding several elephants and a mariachi band across the border. It is not a matter of the weapon, but a matter of the will.
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