Tulsa County Sheriff's deputies switching from shotguns to rifles

In a local effort to combat possible terrorist attacks, Tulsa County Sheriff's deputies will soon begin carrying new weapons. <br><br>The Sheriff's Office started handing out M-1 Carbine rifles

Wednesday, October 16th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

In a local effort to combat possible terrorist attacks, Tulsa County Sheriff's deputies will soon begin carrying new weapons.

The Sheriff's Office started handing out M-1 Carbine rifles Wednesday morning. Deputies will have to be certified to carry them.

The M-1 Carbines are said to be more practical than the standard 12-gauge shotgun during a terrorist attack or another type of emergency situation. Tulsa County Sheriffâ€™s deputy Sgt Willie Lewis, "It allows us to have a farther range as far as our effectiveness and with the things that are going on today we need to be as efficient and far reaching really as we possibly can.â€

The M-1 Carbine rifle is the same weapon armed forces carried in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam.