CHARLESTON, SC NEWS - LIVE 5 WCSC Breaking News, Weather, SportsPolice alarmed by more assault rifles on streets
CHARLESTON COUNTY, SC (WCSC) - You are looking at a weapon cops say is designed to kill. This AK-47 assault rifle is one of several that's been seized by the Charleston County Sheriff's Office.
"These are killing machines. They are not designed for recreational use," Sheriff's Major John Clark said.
Investigators say an AK-47 was used last Friday night during an apparent drug deal gone bad outside a James Island gathering spot. One man was killed. Deputies say 20 shots were fired from the assault weapon.
"It really makes us worry a lot, particularly when you consider the number of rounds fired during this homicide the other night," Major Clark said. "We were going up there with handguns, with glocks. This guy has an AK-47. If a police officer had come up in that area, he would have definitely been out gunned."
Each deputy is assigned a bullet resistant vest. But Major Clark says there's no guarantee there wouldn't be some serious damage done by an AK-47, even with one of the vests on.
That's why some deputies have gotten permission to patrol carrying their own assault rifles.
(258)"it's gotten to that point, especially after what happened in Los Angeles a few years ago at that bank robbery," Major Clark said. "So we took it upon ourselves to give certain officers, street patrol officers, assault weapons."
Police are doing their best to get the assault rifles off the streets, but they admit it's going to be an ongoing battle with the bad guys.
There is a statewide push to tackle the assault weapon problem. As part of his "Get Tough on Crime" package, Charleston Mayor Joe Riley is proposing legislation that would prevent anyone serving two years or more from possessing a military assault weapon.
