TORONTO – Dozens of Toronto police officers will soon be equipped with semi-automatic assault rifles, which the force hopes will help allay some issues officers have had in dealing with frightened quasi-armed teenagers in close quarters.
“We’re always looking at additional technology to see if it offers additional safety,” said police spokesperson Mark Pugash, “You never know what a confused, 130-pound, 14-year-old might do with that Swiss Army knife. What if they’re aggressive or…you know…ethnic?”
Colt Canada describes its C8 carbine assault rifles as so easy to use, even an untrained user can strike targets from a distance. Toronto police are confident the rifles will give responders new opportunities to spray fire wildly at or near someone.
“Before being armed with an assault rifle, you’d have scenarios where officers could only fire nine rounds from a semi-automatic pistol at a person in an enclosed space,” continued Pugash. “Now, being able to fire 750-950 rounds per minute, we’re optimistic we will able to control situations like this.”
Toronto Police hope that the assault rifles, along with the continued practice of carding people as they see fit, will help forge a new and lasting trust between citizens and the officers.
“We want people to know that when an officer approaches them and demands an action of them, that they must comply. And that they can trust us! No questions asked.” Pugash paused, then added, “Seriously, no questions. We ask the questions.”
