Sheriff Joe Arpaio arms his deputies with 400 new AK-47 assault rifles

[davidn3600]

PHOENIX (CBS5) - An arsenal of new high-powered assault rifles purchased by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office will be on display Thursday afternoon.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio will unveil the 400 AK-47 rifles at a 3:30 p.m. news conference, a spokesman with the sheriff's office said.

The weapons arrived Monday afternoon and were purchased through RICO funds, the spokesman said.

Arpaio has ordered all deputies carry the AK-47 rifles on and off duty.

http://www.kpho.com/story/23084933/arpaio-to-unveil-400-new-assault-rifles-for-deputies

[Aristus]

1. I wasn't aware that there were any 'new' AK-47s.

I thought they stopped manufacturing them in the 1970's after the debut of the AK-74. I suppose they're still being built under license somewhere.

My expertise in in tanks, not small arms.

Anyway, how typical is that of Arpaio? Arming his force like that? Makes it easier for cops to blow dozens of holes in innocent people much quicker than a Glock.

[loli phabay]

9. most cops nowadays have patrol rifles as a matter of course

I am shocked that these guys did not have rifles already.

[factsarenotfair]

2. Madness that won't end well. n/t

.

[Bandit]

3. Ordered Deputies to carry on AND OFF Duty.

Deputy goes to a movie, has to carry an assault rifle. deputy goes on a picnic with his family, must carry an assault rifle... Arizona keeps electing this guy.....

[tumtum]

4. Not all of AZ.,

just Maricopa County.

[bunnies]

5. That parts been scrubbed from the article.

Guess we weren't supposed to know that detail.

[indie9197]

6. Didn't sound right so I googled it...

Actually 400 Smith & Wesson AR-15s. I didn't think anybody would want AK-47s!

[MineralMan]

7. Yah, well, your link has updated to reflect the facts.

They are AR-15 rifles, not AK-47s. I'm not sure that makes much difference, but most cops now have access to AR-15 type rifles now.

I guess AK-47s sound scarier in some way than AR-15s. Actually, they do sound different when fired, for sure. The AK-47 barks a little louder.

Anyhow, you might want to edit your post to reflect the correction in your linked document. Thanks!

[oldhippie]

8. Typical firearms "journalism" ....

..... AK-47? AR-15? Is there a difference?

They're really all Glocks.

[mwrguy]

10. AR-15s, the same rifles used at Newtown

Now in the hands of racist, jack-booted thugs.

[derby378]

11. If you can't identify the rifle, you probably have no business shooting it

Someone in the MCSO can't tell an AK-47 from an AR-15? That's beyond ridiculous. I'm hoping nobody in our sheriff's department ever makes that mistake.