Many law enforcement departments and officers these days are putting the old standby, the 12 gauge shotgun, aside for a more effective type of firearm collectively called the Patrol Rifle.

The Patrol Rifle platform is typically a highly precise centerfire, semi-automatic, magazine fed rifle which allows the officer to engage targets at far greater distances and with superior precision than that of the shotgun.

The use of patrol rifles as an option to shotguns has been a growing trend since the North Hollywood Bank of America shootout in California in 1997. It has been recognized that there are many typical law enforcement situations where the officers and the public are better served by precision rifles in the hands of patrol officers than shotguns.

There are a number of officers here in Macon County who are authorized to carry such rifles. The typical patrol rifle seen most often locally, is based upon the AR 15 platform.

Approximately six officers representing the Macon County Sheriff’s Office and Red Boiling Springs Police Dept. participated in training on this rifle recently. The class was conducted by Macon County Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Looper and Constable Tom Dallas.

Looper and Dallas are both firearms instructors and have extensive experience with the AR15/M16 as both served with the M16 in the US Marine Corps. Deputy Looper is also a SWAT team member, certified Precision Rifle Operator and Law Enforcement Instructor. Constable Dallas is a certified Patrol Rifle/Handgun/Shotgun Instructor and a factory certified Colt armorer for the AR15/M16/Subgun rifle system.

The training covered rifle safely, nomenclature, operating principles and mechanics, proper maintenance and cleaning, sighting system, zero and sight picture, use of slings and tactical deployment of the rifle. Also discussed were the various accessories available to enhance the basic rifle.

Additional classes are in the works for practical hands on shooting and various realistic tactical exercises with the rifle in a live fire mode.

Ongoing classes such as these are important in assuring that your local law enforcement has the necessary skills and training needed to maintain public safety and security regardless of the weapons being used.