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Hampton police to carry assault rifles

Posted at 5:52 PM, May 09, 2013
and last updated 2013-05-09 18:06:10-04

HAMPTON, Va. (WTVR) — Police in Hampton will soon be carrying assault rifles.

The city just approved funding for its police department to buy AR-15 tactical rifles for all of its patrol officers.

“I know we’ve been seeking to purchase these weapons since 2009,” said Sgt. Jason Price with Hampton police. “However, I can tell you in the last year there has been a tremendous increase in violence.”

The department said the weapons give the officer the ability to shoot faster in an emergency and that the weapons offer a more accurate shot.

Click here to read more on this story from WTKR.