Why does the Ada Police Department need 27 M-16 assault rifles?

[flybeech]

The Ada police department is displaying their 27 M-16 select-fire assault rifles on their Facebook page.

What's going on in Ada that requires militarization of the police force?

 

[SgtMojo67]

Militarization? No different than my agency carrying patrol rifles. They can get them at reduced prices and have an excellent tool at their hands. I don't see a problem with it.

 

[twocan]

To sell them at gunshows? Maybe

 

[flybeech]

Militarization? No different than my agency carrying patrol rifles. They can get them at reduced prices and have an excellent tool at their hands. I don't see a problem with it.

Why can't ordinary lawful citizens have them then?

I just don't see Ada, Oklahoma as a hotbed of terrorist activity that needs the police force to be armed with 27 fully-automatic assault rifles. I dunno, I just always considered a select-fire M-16 as a combat weapon and wondered why a small town needs such firepower that is in fact, military equipment intended for war.

 

[Lurker66]

I dont think police should have full auto. IMO automatics are for surpressive fire and manuver tactics. Whats next, drones, air support, artillary, tanks?

 

[Kyle78]

Why can't ordinary lawful citizens have them then?

I just don't see Ada, Oklahoma as a hotbed of terrorist activity that needs the police force to be armed with 27 fully-automatic assault rifles. I dunno, I just always considered a select-fire M-16 as a combat weapon and wondered why a small town needs such firepower that is in fact, military equipment intended for war.

Prolly got them from Military Sale, lots of Police Departments were given them. Agency I work for has 30 of them, plus another of other Auto-Weapons. Have 20 full auto thompsons.

 

[ssgrock3]

same argument different day. Matters not what we think, but they can do a lease type deal from government surplus and purchase them cheap, but cannot resell them, if they don't want them they have to return them.

Far as us ownthing like the cops...not happening, seems most of the world views the citizen a little different than a sworn officer. Can we really not go down this path everytime a department makes a purchase like this. It is not a new happening/

 

[SgtMojo67]

I have a full auto AR in my patrol car. I love it, but then again I'm on the SWAT team.

 

[1911user]

I think many of the surplus M16A1's get converted to semi-only by the police department armorer before being issued for "patrol rifle" duty. IIRC it eases the paperwork requirements and reduces liability.

 

[Lurker66]

I have a full auto AR in my patrol car. I love it, but then again I'm on the SWAT team.

I'll be impressed when ya'll get an Abrhams, lol.