A Picture from History: The North Hollywood Shootout

[HayesGreener]

Yep, if I'm not mistaken isn't this incident what prompted police departments nationwide to arm officers with high powered rifles, ditch .38 revolvers, etc..

We were phasing out revolvers and into semi auto handguns on a wide scale starting in the mid 80's due to the firepower drug dealers were using. There was a lot of interest in patrol rifles but there was a big training cost, and there was political pressure for not having rifles widely visible. Occupying force and all that. The LA shootout pushed agencies toward rifles and the Columbine shootings pushed that over the top. A lot of military surplus rifles and other equipment found their way into police departments, especially following the 9/11 attacks. Armored vehicles were in great demand-many SWAT teams now have them.