100 AR-15 rifles are passed out to border deputies

To prepare for potential confrontation against armed gunmen, the Cameron County Sheriff’s Department recently purchased about 100 AR-15 assault rifles to be carried by deputies in their patrol cars...

Previously, deputies carried 12-gauge shotguns, which according to Lucio, while powerful only had an effective range of about 100 yards. With the new rifles, which shoot .223-caliber ammunition, the effective range tripled to approximately 300 yards. Also, the shotguns had a capacity of five to eight rounds of ammunition, while the new rifles carry 30 rounds per magazine.

“With each deputy carrying at least three magazines, it means that at any moment our guys will have 90 rounds ready to use,” Lucio said. “Also, other agencies carry the same type of weapon. In case of a major situation, our guys will be able to exchange magazines with them.”...

---Full Story at  Brownsville Herald---