OKC Police Acquire New Guns

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Police received a new weapon to add to their arsenal.

The AR 15-semi-automatic rifle was heavily researched by the Oklahoma City Police Department before the purchase order was submitted.

"It's taken us a couple years to purchase the rifles and also to purchase the ammunition," Dep. Chief Johnny Kulman said.

Unlike the department's tactical unit that has specialized rifles, all 86 of the newly-purchased rifles will be placed in police cruisers. They will be readily available for the officers, but will only be used in special circumstances.

"Examples would be a hostage situation, an armed robbery where somebody is wearing body armor, traffic stop where the people involved may have weapons," Kulman said.

Miles Hall owns the H&H Gun Range. He said the officers' new rifles are the weapon of choice.

"It's just another way of making the officers a little bit more suitable than what they may come across," Hall said. "It's a smart call, actually."

Hall said the difference between the new rifles and old rifles lie in the barrels. The new gun has a longer barrel and is also capable of being retrofitted to the officer's needs.

"Flashlights, lasers and things that make their job a little more efficient if they have to go in and actually use it," Kulman said.

The officers will have training before they are issued and able to use this semi-automatic, which is scheduled for spring 2009.

Dave Jordan, NEWS 9