quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
If something happened at that airport, some of you guys would be saying "Why weren't the police better armed?"

Yes they would, probably the same guys who think all cops are assholes because they got a ticket for a traffic violation.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Seeing a police officer carrying a rifle in an airport these days, I wouldn't bat an eye, wouldn't feel the need to question the reason.

Perhaps we have some gun owners in this forum. They would understand better, I think.

Airports, streets, doesn't bother me at all.

Anyplace large groups of people gather are soft targets.

The police already having rifles, in their hands, while patrolling these soft targets is wise.

It is easier to respond appropriately, if say, Little Jihadi drives a truck into a crowd at the exit doors to baggage; or he wanders into the ticketing level and starts hacking at citizens minding their own business, with an axe/machete/butcher knife.

So yeah I'm not going to be concerned about it one bit.

But I also don't fly because of the Kabuki Theater the TSA is running on the citizens...so my chance of seeing an armed officer with a rifle is slim and none.

Went to Germany many years ago and there were lots of them carrying rifles in the airport.

I was in the pits at the NASCAR Cup race in Homestead FL last Sunday and there were SWAT teams in full armour/gear carrying rifles patrolling around. It seems everyone had a team, FBI, Sheriff, Police, and surprisingly, even the FHP.

Wouldn't it make sense that last few years there are always some officers w/ long guns present behind closed doors, and every once in a while they do a random reminder or show by patrolling in public spaces?

I saw it in the ATL airport two years ago. Other than mentally noting there were police carrying AR-15s in the airport pre TSA checkpoint, it had zero impact on me or my actions.

If I recall correctly, this was near the same time that a person thought it would be wise to carry their AR-15 into the ATL airport because law didn't specifically prohibit it.

Hadn't thought about it until now.

I've got to wake up at 05:15 tomorrow morning so I can be on the parade route with one all morning.

My usual get-off-work time is 02:00.

For perspective, my agency has something around 250 officers certified on the ARs, but less than 100 rifles currently in the field due to cost. Maybe half those are actually being carried at any given time in the city. It's not a lot.

I've seen this at many airports including those armed with AR's, MP5's, etc. I welcome it since I am disarmed in the airport.

I'd much prefer most anyone could walk around with one without a second thought.

The police should always be armed with AR's at airports, and other high threat targets as deemed necessary.

ARs are difficult to CC IWB.

quote:

Originally posted by Fenris:
ARs are difficult to CC IWB.

You need to get a better holster and a quality belt.

Next time I go to work I'm gonna talk to 'em to see what their ammo load is, what brand they're carrying, chit chat about shooting, and just have a blast. Jeezus guys...some of you need to make lemonade out of lemons, eh?

I'm kool with it. Long as I get to have what they have, we kool. I don't mind not being armed at the airport as long as they are and their ranks are well vetted absent PC.

you can always offer to lend them some ammo - nothing says Merry Christmas like a 30-round Magpul and jacketed holow points

quote:

Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:
Well, anyone who's flown through Europe knows that officers with long guns is a very common sight. I'm all for it frankly.

It was a few years ago, I think shortly after the Bataclan attack that we flew across the US and I saw the local PD at the airport we had a layover patrolling with slung AR's. The first thing I thought was "it's about damn time." My next thought was a hope that it would soon become the norm to see police armed with carbines or rifles of some sort at all the soft target places you generally tend to see police at anyway.

I've had family in the police business on both sides going back to the 30's. Most of the tools of the trade that they carried have been passed down in the family, and the tools have changed a lot over the years. Rifles have a valid place in the toolbox, imo.

Atlanta Police at Hartsfield Airport have had them for at least a year or two. When I was flying not long after the Brussels attack last year, I noticed more officers with ARs patrolling the area around check-in and some in "overwatch" positions above areas where lines were forming. Their ARs had suppressors and ACOGs, IIRC.

I have no problem with it... as long as they are receiving and maintaining their training. The photos of officers with their eotech's mounted backwards and magazines loaded backwards are too large to pollute the thread with...
As long as they are maintaining their proficiency, conditioning and training on weapons retention then I have no quibble.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
Holiday traffic about to kick into high gear. Terrorism on the rise. That's why. Why such a big deal? They're not randomly stopping and frisking you.

It does not bother me in the least too.

I saw one (of many) officers at Charlotte carrying a rifle last month. Gave me a (legitimate) warm and fuzzy feeling.

I flew into the Atlanta airport about a month ago. Upon leaving the "secured" area, we passed a police officer sitting at a podium. The officer who was sitting there was an overweight female officer who looked like she couldn't fight her way out of a wet paper bag.

After we collected our luggage from the baggage claim area, we passed another police officer on our way out of the building. This officer appeared to be in very good physical condition, and was carrying a suppressed AR-15. I couldn't help but laugh at the disparity of the two officers-one likely to be more of a hazard than help to anyone, and the second gave me reason to feel somewhat secure.