Re: LE Snipers Using Semi-Auto
As for My department we also use semi-auto sniper rifles. Our department is in such a budget crunch that our Sniper team is funded by the Snipers themselves because they enjoy their profession. We have bought our own bolt guns as well as semi-auto .308 rifles as well as any other gear associated with it. Its expensive but at the end of the day IT IS OURS!!
Currently we are fielding two semi-auto Sniper rifles consisting of a LWRC REPR and a LMT MWS. Also we have two Remington 700's.
As for whether we need them or not..YES we do !!! Semi-auto sniper rifles have a real need in our profession. If any of you need proof just look up the hostage situation at the "Good Guys" store in Sacramento in 1991. The snipers at that time had bolt guns, they took a shot through glass that deflected the round just enough that it barely missed the suspect. However since the suspect was not hit and only got glass fragmentation to his face he turned and shot about 5 hostages seated on the ground before the sniper could effectively re-engage due to the bolt gun and a moving target.
With that in mind how nice would it have been to have a semi-auto with a quick follow up shot to eliminate the threat before the 5 hostages were shot. Unfortunately 3 hostages were killed out of the 50 that were taken with 11 others injured. As a side note 3 of the 4 hostage takers were also killed.
As a result I think we have learned some things, and why not have the ability to perform quick follow up shots. Deminished expectations is a killer. Just because 4 hostage takers are'nt the normal statistically speaking, It doesnt mean you shouldn't be ready in case it does with the proper tools to get the job done.
We had to prove to our department the need for these tools (Semi-Autos) and there really is no better real life incident than the "Good Guys" incident to prove everything we had to on why we needed to have that capability.
As for My department we also use semi-auto sniper rifles. Our department is in such a budget crunch that our Sniper team is funded by the Snipers themselves because they enjoy their profession. We have bought our own bolt guns as well as semi-auto .308 rifles as well as any other gear associated with it. Its expensive but at the end of the day IT IS OURS!!
Currently we are fielding two semi-auto Sniper rifles consisting of a LWRC REPR and a LMT MWS. Also we have two Remington 700's.
As for whether we need them or not..YES we do !!! Semi-auto sniper rifles have a real need in our profession. If any of you need proof just look up the hostage situation at the "Good Guys" store in Sacramento in 1991. The snipers at that time had bolt guns, they took a shot through glass that deflected the round just enough that it barely missed the suspect. However since the suspect was not hit and only got glass fragmentation to his face he turned and shot about 5 hostages seated on the ground before the sniper could effectively re-engage due to the bolt gun and a moving target.
With that in mind how nice would it have been to have a semi-auto with a quick follow up shot to eliminate the threat before the 5 hostages were shot. Unfortunately 3 hostages were killed out of the 50 that were taken with 11 others injured. As a side note 3 of the 4 hostage takers were also killed.
As a result I think we have learned some things, and why not have the ability to perform quick follow up shots. Deminished expectations is a killer. Just because 4 hostage takers are'nt the normal statistically speaking, It doesnt mean you shouldn't be ready in case it does with the proper tools to get the job done.
We had to prove to our department the need for these tools (Semi-Autos) and there really is no better real life incident than the "Good Guys" incident to prove everything we had to on why we needed to have that capability.