SC Highway Patrol Seeking to Equip Troopers With Rifles

A South Carolina law enforcement agency is seeking to purchase and arm personnel with semi-automatic rifles in the upcoming year.

Recent shootings in Las Vegas and Texas have prompted this initiative, said Col. Chris Williamson of the South Carolina Highway Patrol. The need for an upgrade in weaponry has been overlooked in past years, he said. But as state legislators are expected to review its annual budget in January, Williamson said, he hopes they consider approving more than a half-million dollars to buy more than 600 semi-automatic rifles.

"From the highway patrol standpoint, we've already decided that this is a necessity," he said. "We're just hoping that the budget request is honored."

Currently, 600 of 800 troopers are armed with shotguns. Williamson said the budget approval will allow remaining personnel to upgrade to semi-automatic rifles, which provide longer range as well as coverage of a larger area, should an active shooting situation arise.