ASU is getting full auto military assault rifles

[43north87west]

Originally Posted by Bondurant

Conspiracy theorist? I just watch the news and read fact based accounts of militarized policing. Rise of the Warrior Cop is a good start and traces the history of militarized policing following Charles Whitman in Austin.

I was actually just being sarcastic. Any piece of equipment will get used regardless of whether its use is required to accomplish a job.

[KurtAZ]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Right on!

Id also suggest rolling a couple M1A1 Abrams tanks onto campus as well. Lets see those frat boys n girls pull some crap now!

I still have my license....can I drive one?

[Ponderosa]

They need 'em. That place would better be called Animal State University! (Only kidding. I love ASU. My kid might go there OMG. )

[esiebert7625]

Originally Posted by ScoPro

A self-loading (semi-auto) AR-15 would have been just as effective in that situation as a select, or full, auto, IMO. The students who were providing the suppressive fire from the ground were most likely using bolt action rifles or lever guns.

Yes, exactly, what is mainly required is a semi-auto long gun with a scope to suppress a single shooter. A full auto gun is mainly used for engaging many targets at once and can cause a lot of collaterral damage in an urban environment.

[JAinAZ]

Originally Posted by esiebert7625

Yes, exactly, what is mainly required is a semi-auto long gun with a scope to suppress a single shooter. A full auto gun is mainly used for engaging many targets at once and can cause a lot of collaterral damage in an urban environment.

I went back and watched the video again and even read the script. Nowhere was it said they are full auto or select fire weapons. Many departments change out the sear, making them semi-auto only. It takes literally a minute to do this.

Rifles are much better weapons for law enforcement than shotguns--much less chance of innocent bystanders getting hurt by buckshot, pass-throughs etc. You can tailor the ammo used to suit the situation. Lighter softnosed bullets won't pass through walls like shotgun slugs.

It makes sense for the campus officers to carry these rifles in their cars in order to have quick access to them if needed. I highly doubt they will be taken out of their cars very often.

[esiebert7625]

Originally Posted by JAinAZ

I went back and watched the video again and even read the script. Nowhere was it said they are full auto or select fire weapons. Many departments change out the sear, making them semi-auto only. It takes literally a minute to do this.

Rifles are much better weapons for law enforcement than shotguns--much less chance of innocent bystanders getting hurt by buckshot, pass-throughs etc. You can tailor the ammo used to suit the situation. Lighter softnosed bullets won't pass through walls like shotgun slugs.

It makes sense for the campus officers to carry these rifles in their cars in order to have quick access to them if needed. I highly doubt they will be taken out of their cars very often.

Most people in the press are clueless and don't know the difference between full auto and semi auto. To them its the big scary black rifle regardless if its a AR-15 or M-16.

You're correct though, I did some diggin and found that some other depts are converting them back to semi auto.

What LAUSD is doing with its military-surplus grenade launchers and assault rifles - LA Times