Proliferation of assault weapons leaves our police out-gunned!

[DrewFlorida]

Philly police outgunned July 2010;
http://articles.philly.com/2010-07-20/news/24969073_1_assault-rifles-testa-sks-carbine

Time magazine Oct. 2007 "A surge in cop killings";
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1666750,00.html

Beaver County Aug 2008;
http://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_583634.html?source=rss&feed=2#axzz2GkqYfBOH

Feb 2011;
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20110116_11_A3_CUTLIN508319

Sept 2007;
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2007-09-23/news/0709220925_1_rifles-assault-weapons-police-cars

The viewpoint of police;
http://www.guncite.com/aswpolice.html

Oakland April 2009;
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/breaking/officers-killed-wounded-in-stanton-heights-standoff-336537/

Miami Sept 2007;
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/miami-dade-officer-killed-by-assault-weapon-on-third-anniversary-of-bans-end-shootings-of-officers-on-the-rise-58113417.html

New Orleans Aug 2012;
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/16/1120951/-Two-NOLA-Sheriffs-Deputies-Shot-Dead-Today-w-Assault-Weapon

Birmingham Dec 2012;
http://news.yahoo.com/man-assault-rifle-shot-dead-police-alabama-triple-193516652.html

Arkansas May 2010;
http://articles.cnn.com/2010-05-20/justice/arkansas.2.police.killed_1_police-officers-suspects-bill-sadler?_s=PM:CRIME


There are many many more instances in which police officers are killed or injured by criminals with assault weapons

[bhikkhu]

1. Which is where the militarization of the police, drones and surveillance begins

I don't favor any of that, but the arguments should always be linked, imho.

[hobbit709]

2. They have no shortage of fully automatic weapons when the SWAT team busts down some dopers door.

[Loudly]

3. Many people think this is an important check and balance.

Of course, those people don't seem to accept that the Covenant of Appomattox means something.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

4. No. Police can legally acquire new Machine guns and real Assault Rifles if they wish.

The Federal laws do no agree with the premise of your OP. Civilian ownership of new machineguns was banned in 1986. Police can legally by guns that have far more firepower than what civilians can purchase. If police departments choose to inadequately arm patrol officers, then that is their problem.

But hey, never let facts stand in the way of a good rant. Carry on, sir...