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AR15.COM
9/11/2012 12:49:00 PM EDT
Quick question to any LEOs who'd know on here. The department that I'm signing on with allows us to carry a patrol rifle / shotgun as long as we take a class and provide our own weapon. I've got a SBR that I've built, doesn't have anything crazy on it that I was going to use. I had a friend tell me that carrying an SBR as a patrol weapon is a bad idea liabilty-wise. Does anybody have any thoughts / information on that?
9/11/2012 1:07:09 PM EDT
[#1]
What does the policy say?  Our policy for personally owned rifles specifically prohibits having a barrel length of less than 16", even though the state allows NFA weapons for civilians.  If your weapon is within policy, I doubt anyone woukd give a crap about everything else.
9/11/2012 2:17:57 PM EDT
[#2]
There's no more liability for an SBR.  Deadly force is deadly force.  Doesn't matter what you use.  A pistol, rifle, SBR, shotgun, patrol car, whatever.
9/11/2012 2:21:10 PM EDT
[#3]
There is a federal sentencing enhancement for using an NFA weapon in a crime. That's all though.
9/11/2012 2:48:12 PM EDT
[#4]
No more civil liability than any other gun.
9/11/2012 4:13:05 PM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
What does the policy say?  Our policy for personally owned rifles specifically prohibits having a barrel length of less than 16", even though the state allows NFA weapons for civilians.  If your weapon is within policy, I doubt anyone woukd give a crap about everything else.


this, policy is king. We are restricted to 16in barrel, semi auto for patrol. Swat guys can carry their 11.5 inch Commandos with 3 round burst.

J-
9/11/2012 5:29:49 PM EDT
[#6]
Your "friend" is full of shit.  My issued AR is a 10.5" Colt Commando full auto.  A few of our guys have their own SBR's as well.
9/11/2012 6:48:24 PM EDT
[#7]
Every time I hear someone trot out the old 'liability' line, I ask them for an explanation.  I haven't gotten a good one yet.
9/11/2012 8:20:07 PM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
Every time I hear someone trot out the old 'liability' line, I ask them for an explanation.  I haven't gotten a good one yet.


Amen. I get so bleeping sick of "liability" getting thrown out as a deal killer for anything the brass considers yucky.
9/11/2012 10:43:42 PM EDT
[#9]
The only concern I have is not liability, but reliability. You said you built it yourself. What are your qualifications to know what makes an AR SBR operate reliably? Its only yours,  your fellow LEOS and the public's safety that depends on it.
9/11/2012 11:15:31 PM EDT
[#10]
If you ever have to use your SBR in an OIS, you might not see it for a while.
9/12/2012 7:09:08 AM EDT
[#11]
A couple of us use personally owned SBR's on duty.

I also use a suppressor on mine.
9/12/2012 7:41:00 AM EDT
[#12]
Quoted:
If you ever have to use your SBR in an OIS, you might not see it for a while.


This would be my only concern.  With a personally owned gun you have to except that if you use it you won't likely see it again for years.  But my view on that is if that's the case then it served it's purpose and I'll gladly spend the money on another.

As long as your within your agencies policy your fine.  Whether 16", 11", handgun, car, or flashlight deadly force is deadly force.
9/12/2012 4:09:58 PM EDT
[#13]
We went through this exact argument a few years ago in my agency.  Firearms team claimed it there was some black cloud that surrounds SBR's that instantly induced additional liability.  After extensive research, we showed our admin otherwise and were granted authorization to use personal SBR's.  Provided that the weapon is of quality manufacture there is no additional liability induced by the tool.  The manner in which the tool is used is what induces liability.
9/12/2012 7:35:36 PM EDT
[#14]
Thanks ya'll. I was just wondering if anybody had run into something similar. Thanks for all ya'll's help and experiences. chwi548, when I say I built it I ment I've parted it together a little bit at a time and got a reliable gunsmith / armorer to actually do the install, fitting, and work on it. Haven't had a failure yet so I'm pretty happy with it. As for losing it in an OIS, I'm ok with that, kinda the goto excuse to buy a new one and if I have to trade equipment to stay safe I'm alright with it. Thanks again for everybody's help.
9/12/2012 9:18:39 PM EDT
[#15]
I would just buy a colt patrolman and be done with it.
9/14/2012 1:07:59 PM EDT
[#16]
Quoted:
If you ever have to use your SBR in an OIS, you might not see it for a while.


I view duty weapons as expendable items.  If it saved my life, who cares how long it needs a time out.  I'll gladly get another.
9/16/2012 6:38:14 AM EDT
[#17]
My department allows them and I've never understood why a department wouldn't.  SBR's are very handy for patrol.  Easy to manuever in and out of vehicles and during building searches.

I carry a personally owned SBR on duty.
9/27/2012 10:54:37 AM EDT
[#18]
After you are hired, you can ask whoever approves of these kinds of things what their name is, and then talk to that person if you can use your rifle for patrol.
9/27/2012 2:33:35 PM EDT
[#19]
I guess I'm fucked.