The Associated Press
SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) -- Criminals here appear to be turning to more sophisticated, high-powered weapons, Shreveport Police detectives say.
In addition to the two homicides in Shreveport so far in 2004, three of the nine shootings police responded to in January involved what detectives said is the most popular semiautomatic rifle for those crimes, the SKS.
Lt. J.K. Baker, who has worked in the department’s property room since 1995, said he does not believe there has been an increase in the number of assault-type rifles on the streets.
But the weapons recovered by police that have actually been used in the commission of a crime have improved in quality over the last several years, he said.
“Used to (be) you were recovering Saturday night specials -- the .22 (-caliber), .25 (-caliber) and off brands -- now the weapons being recovered are the 9 mm, .45s, .380s and weapons like that,” Baker said. “Where you used to have the cheap guns ... the police officers on the street are recovering a more sophisticated type of weapon.”
Both Baker and Wade Rasberry, Shreveport Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms field office’s resident agent in charge, said the fact that the SKS and its ammunition can be bought inexpensively at nearly any pawnshop or gun show adds to its popularity.
“Those are being recovered in crimes more frequently than five years ago,” Rasberry said. “Tons of foreign manufacturers are dumping this ammo all over. The cost (of the ammunition) depends, but I know they have it by the case ... and it’s a whole lot less expensive than the ammo I buy to go deer hunting.”
Shreveport Police Chief Mike Campbell said while his department does not allow the use of the AR-15 or other similar rifles by officers, it has been considered during the past several years.
“We’ve looked at the issue several times and the door is not closed on it,” he said. “There are training issues and funding issues (associated with the decision). ... We haven’t closed the book on that.”
Campbell said 12-gauge shotguns are better suited for highly populated areas. Pellets are not as likely to penetrate walls, and slugs are less likely to ricochet.
“Anytime a weapon is fired, you have the potential for injury and death, but even more so with high-powered rifles than handguns,” he said.
Instead of providing more weapons to officers, Campbell said he thinks there are other ways to combat the problem. “I think perhaps the focus would be a remedy to get these weapons off the streets and discouraging their use,” he said. “One way would be through a penalty enhancement.”