48 assault rifles given at ceremony
By Anna Cearley
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
December 13, 2006
TIJUANA After suffering high losses in recent months, some members of the city's police force were given new assault rifles yesterday to stand up to
criminals.
The force's higher-ranking chiefs were formally assigned Heckler & Koch assault rifles at a ceremony in front of City Hall. In addition to the 48
rifles, 250 Beretta pistols also were being handed out.
We know exactly what we are facing, said Tijuana Mayor Jorge Hank Rhon, referring to criminals typically armed with powerful weapons.
The city started paperwork for the additional weapons about a year and a half ago, but in recent months the vulnerability of city police has become
especially notable.
Eight Tijuana city police officers and four from other law enforcement agencies have been killed since September. The high number has created
suspicion that some of the deaths are tied to feuding drug groups who form ties with officers.
However, city officials have said they believe the officials are being targeted because they are doing their jobs and standing up to traffickers.
The weapons part of the HK G3 group of rifles manufactured by Heckler & Koch are registered with, and approved by, Mexico's armed forces, city
officials said. They will supplement the AR-15 rifles already in use on the force.
The officials have been learning to use the new rifles, said Gonzalo Retana, chief of resources for the city's police department. The force has about
2,300 officers, so many of the rifles will be reserved for use in high-risk operations, he said.
What we want is that they have the equipment to protect themselves, he said.
City officials said an additional order is pending for 70 rifles and more than 300 pistols; the force received new weapons most recently in 2001.
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Anna Cearley: (619) 542-4595; anna.cearley@uniontrib.comBarry A. - 12-13-2006 at 10:41 AM
A sign of the times.
Even Rangers in the wilds of the USA are equipped with 9mm hand guns, 12 ga. shotguns, and M-16 auto rifles-----so this does not surprise me. There
ARE bad guys (and girls) out there. Several of us even carried .357 magnums revolvers as back-up. Better well armed, than dead.
Firepower
MrBillM - 12-13-2006 at 11:21 AM
Awhile back, there was a discussion regarding the old days when the Mexican police were carrying the Colt M1911 chambered in .38 Super Auto.
I had read years ago, that the .38 Super Auto was popular there because .45 caliber ammunition was banned under Mexican law. In the current issue of
one of my Gun Magazines, that issue is discussed again.
ODD. I wonder if that prohibition is still in effect.bajalou - 12-13-2006 at 11:27 AM
When the army confiscated 6 clips of 9mm ammo from me several years ago, they said that only the Army could use it, not police. They said if I wanted
I could go to their Mexicali post and have the clips back. I made them a gift of the clips and headed on down the road. Probably much changed since
then.Cypress - 12-13-2006 at 12:12 PM
Those AR-15's can deal a world of hurt.The Beretta pistols? Pistols aren't a good choice when dealing with someone who knows how to handle an
assault rifle. Wish the police etc. luck. They need all the help they can get.JESSE - 12-13-2006 at 06:07 PM
What do they need more firepower for? they work for the same people they are supposedly protecting themselves from.Hook - 12-13-2006 at 06:14 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by JESSE
What do they need more firepower for? they work for the same people they are supposedly protecting themselves from.
That was my thought exactly, Jesse.
This will end up increasing the firepower of the bad guys.surfer jim - 12-13-2006 at 10:20 PM
Just wondering myself which side of the law the new weapons will be used for......
Said Tonto to Lone Ranger...
Dave - 12-14-2006 at 08:56 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by SUNDOG
We know exactly what we are facing, said Tijuana Mayor Jorge Hank Rhon
What's this "we" stuff, paleface? pargo - 12-15-2006 at 09:59 PM
So, while the cops and bad guys are duking it out, who is protecting the traveller on the trans peninsular? Someone please tell me it's not that bad
in Baja. I miss going, I miss my friends there too. Go ahead and lie to me..any ole excuse will get me going to mi querido Baja
The Beretta pistols?
Pistols aren't a good choice when dealing with someone who knows how to handle an
assault rifle.
Wish the police etc. luck. They need all the help they can get.
