Feb. 1, 2012 —
Carter County sheriff’s deputies are better armed after last week’s purchase of six assault rifles.
Deputies had been responding to emergency calls and serving warrants armed only with handguns which Sheriff Casey Brammell said was dangerous business.
“A handgun is only good in close proximity,” Brammell said. “If you need a handgun, you are already in a dangerous situation.”
The rifles are Stag AR-15s, which are similar to what the military uses. The guns are extremely accurate with a high capacity and very reliable. With a scope, the Stag is accurate between 300 and 400 yards. They will allow deputies and innocent bystanders to be better protected.
“In the event of a hostage situation, a deputy can train one of the ARs on a perpetrator from a distance,” Brammell said. “Also, when deputies go in to serve a warrant, one person can be covering the others from back at the car. This gun levels the playing field.”
Brammell and his deputies recently served a warrant. As they approached the home, the man they were looking for answered the door with an assault rifle of his own.
“We were very lucky that time,” Brammell said. “If he had not stumbled when he answered the door, he could have quickly taken us all out. Now that we have the assault rifles, we won’t have to worry about those situations.”
The sheriff and his deputies will go through training with the weapons before they begin using them.
“We had outsiders coming in from other states with drugs and guns and they were better armed than us,” Brammell said. “That won’t be a problem any longer.”
The weapons were purchased from AA Firearms in Grayson. Shop owner Cindy Gibson said the gun is a popular model.
“They can be outfitted with scopes and a variety of upgrades,” Gibson said. “These guns are used for hunting and shooting for sport, not just by law enforcement.”
AA Firearms has equipped other law enforcement agencies with similar weapons in the past.
“When an officer goes out on a call with just a handgun, that’s a problem,” Gibson said. “A carpenter wouldn’t try to build a house with only a hammer. You have to have the proper tools.”
Brammell said the rifles would give his deputies much better tools for their trade.
Leeann Akers can reached at lakers@journal-times.com or by telephone at 474-5101.
Local News
Related Photos
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AA Firearms owner Cindy Gibson displays new assault rifles with Sheriff Casey Brammell and Deputy Joe Hammer. After becoming certified with the weapons, deputies will begin to keep the new guns on hand as they patrol. Photo by Leeann Akers
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