Colorado School District Buys 10 Semi-Automatic Rifles

They aren't police officers but a Colorado school district will soon have the same weapons carried by law enforcement. The Douglas County School District purchased 10 semi-automatic rifles for its armed patrol division, reports KMGH .

The $12,300 spent on guns and equipment came out of the school's security budget. The firearms are made by Bushmaster but district officials declined to comment on the specific model or magazine capacity.

"I can say from lessons learned and looking at all the situations that have happened across the country with shootings that having the correct tools, having the long rifles have helped out in situations," said Rich Payne, Director of Safety and Security for Douglas County Schools. He continued, "It's unfortunate but this is where we have come to."

According to the district, all eight armed security officers have law enforcement experience and already carry handguns. They will undergo 20 hours of training with the sheriff's department before the guns are deployed. The district expects some of those guns will be handed out this month.