Police do not know how the suspects determined the unmarked vehicle belonged to the police department.

Something tells me they saw the gun through the window and stole it without thinking about who owned the car.... just a wild guess...

And while we're at it, the AR-15 was not "the weapon" used in the Aurora, CO shooting, it was one of several weapons used in the shooting, including a shotgun and two handguns.

Fine piece of reporting we have here...

Hmmm...

I wonder if the thives left their background check forms on the dash???

And people think that the police should be the only ones who can have these guns? hahahaha

I don't know why the police would have one of those. We keep hearing from NRA/2nd amendment supporters that those guns are only good for hunting deer.

You are right Ben. Unfortunately the bullets they dug out of the victims all came from an assault rifle according to the highway patrol.

Maybe it's time for the LibTard press to run some articles of police officers using those weapons to save lives instead of bashing the very people who keep sanity in @!$%#box cities like SF, Detroit, LA, etc.
Jeesh.

Another gun show loop-hole I suppose?

CRIMINALS get their guns by STEALING THEM.....

AR-15's are not considered "high-power" if it's a .223 Remington.... it would be an AR-10 which is chambered for .308 on up... To people who own .223's, they are pea shooters.

They are good for hunting. And protecting your livestock from predators. And your home family and property from someone who stole one earlier from a locked police car....

Don, the NRA actually points out that the AR-15 is generally not a good choice for deer because it is underpowered. Nice try, but better luck with your pointless remarks next time.

And where did you read the ballistics report on the Aurora shooting? The gunman's S&W M&P15 malfunctioned after fewer than 30 rounds fired, but there were 12 killed and 58 wounded. Nice try again, but you need to check your math.

It is also alleged that the gunman threw two canisters emitting a gas or smoke, partially obscuring the audience members' vision, making their throats and skin itch, and causing eye irritation.^[10] He then fired a 12-gauge Remington 870 Express Tactical shotgun, first at the ceiling and then at the audience. He also fired a Smith & Wesson M&P15^[11] semi-automatic rifle with a 100-round drum magazine, which malfunctioned after reportedly firing fewer than 30 rounds.^[11][12][13] Finally, he fired a Glock 22 handgun.^[14][15] He shot first to the back of the room, and then toward people in the aisles.^[9] A bullet passed through the wall and hit a person in the adjacent theater 8, which was screening the same film.^[2] Witnesses said the multiplex's fire alarm system began sounding soon after the attack began and staff told people in theater 8 to evacuate.^[16]

If this is one of the firearms used in the Aurora shooting, why was it not in the evidence locker since that incident has not been concluded by trial?

Should it not be tagged as evidence?

Probably most AR-15s are .223 (5.56) but the AR platform allows the upper to be swapped out giving the AR-15 the capability of actually being many different calibers ranging from .22LR to 9mm to .45ACP to .30 cal and even all the way up to single shot .50 BMG. That's why most states restrict the use of .223 for hunting and not all AR-15s per se.

I would think the police department would put a "homing chip" in their weapons for just this reason. Whoever steals from a cop car probably has a few more things at home not too legal.

Police do not know how the suspects determined the unmarked vehicle belonged to the police department.

HAHA... Like you can't spot a cop car, marked or unmarked, a mile away. They have those in our city too, but it's pretty easy to spot them. They STILL have lights in the rear window (no amount of tinting can hide it). Also the big 6 foot antennae is a dead giveaway as well as the license plate numbers that start with an E inside an octagon and usually the plate are municipal not state plates. Police must think people are just stupid.

lmao- 'scouring the city'

That rifle is gone, outta sight, under somebody's bed by now. Maybe they can dispatch some drones to find it.

Police do not know how the suspects determined the unmarked vehicle belonged to the police department.

Wow, I can spot an unmarked police vehicle just about anytime I want to. (I have worked on and towed these vehicles for many years) Almost all of these types of vehicles stand out like a sore thumb, some police vehicles have just normal steel wheels with cheep hubcaps instead of the mag wheels most people have on there cars or all the so called "hidden emergency lights" behind the grills or mounted inside the vehicles behind the rear or front windows and even the side windows. Then there are the radio antenna's that stick out like a sore thumb or even the tires themselves as the police tend to use Good year RS-A Plus tires.

Maybe your everyday person wouldn't see any of these things but your everyday and professional crook, thief or criminal does and an old saying comes to mind here as well, " A lock will only keep an honest person honest" but never keep a crook away. This firearm should have also been "locked up tight" inside the police car by a locking firearm device, it sounds to me like the AR 15 was just laying inside this squad car and not locked up or secured by any other means but I could be wrong of course.

Criminals these days will steal from anyone and that even means law enforcement if they think they can get away with it, plus there's the bragging rights if they get away with it. sic.

Sceminmimi, You need to read the article again. It said it is the same type of weapon used in CO. not the same weapon. Do you think they sent it to S.F. to be used? Sheesh.

The AR-15 assault rifle was the weapon used in last year's movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colo.

bartman, if you will forgive my headache for not noticing the location of this incident, I will forgive your inability to comprehend what you read... nowhere does it state that it is "the same TYPE of weapon used."

@ Pro

LMAO @ the drone comment. I got to tell ya that we have quite a # of folks here in Idaho who are doing plenty of target shooting in prep for them flying around here. Can't wait to see the photo of one stuffed and mounted on the wall

So now NBC is going to publish when guns are simply stolen.

NBC: Relentlessly pushing the agenda of the gun banners.

So, to even things out, let's reference:

http://gunssavelives.net/self-defense/store-owner-shoots-1-of-2-armed-robbers-in-york-pa/

Store Owner Shoots 1 of 2 Armed Robbers in York, PA

March 4 2013

The owner of La Familia Store in York, PA was facing an armed couple, a male and a female, brandished a gun and demanded money.

Their plans were foiled when the owner of the store produced his own gun and fired at the two suspects, who then fled.

Police located the female suspect nearby suffering from a gunshot wound. She was taken into custody and is being treated at an area hospital.

The male suspect is still on the loose.

If an incident is gun related, and especially if it involves what they (incorrectly) characterize as an "assault weapon", nbc will mindlessly write an article about it to stir the passions of their equally mindless and gullible followers.

I would imagine that the police are frantically searching for it because the lower receiver is a 3 position one...Safe, Fire, Auto....and not a 2 position one (Safe, Fire).

It's that third position one that has them worried. Why?? Simple. It's the same as the news broadcasting that a suspect was taken into custody holding an assault weapon. Those of us who realize that most anyone is only going to be able to purchase, steal a AR-15 "assault weapon" is probably only going to find it with a 2 position receiver (safe, fire) which LIMITS the weapon to only a semi automatic (which means you must pull the trigger for every shot) and it takes a LOT longer to empty a magazine.

BUT let's be REAL here. Do you think for a moment the police are armed with the civilian version of a semi-auto weapon....of course not......sure their police dept's will tell you they only only possess semi-autos just to satisfy the Sheeples mindset.......... BUT when was the last time the "swat" team ever let YOU or even reporters, inspect their weapons up close.

NEVER.

Why??

Because you would then see that the police are really nothing more than trained para military thugs ARMED with 3 position military assault weapons which means that in less than 5 seconds, that officer can unload his entire "over sized" magazine (which YOU will soon NOT be allowed to possess) of 30 rounds into your body with only ONE pull of the trigger. So effectively in a gunfight (NOT in reality), the police have a bigger penis than you.

The cops screwed up BIG Time here all because some over zealous unmarked car detective needed to have a FULLY AUTOMATIC AR-15/M-16 in his car to compensate for his total lack of physical strength, physical size, abilities in hand to hand combat, and a penis and a set of stones.

The news will never tell you this BUT I can assure you that is what is going on here and that is why the police are all freaked out.

Nuff said....Go ahead everybody, don't forget to follow the obamanation party line and have your constitutional gun rights even further eroded. Police COUNTRY here we come.

BAN ASSAULT POLICE

Steven B

NBC is GARBAGE if you want unbiased news DON"T GO HERE

They are nothing but a LEFT WING PROPAGANDA TOOL that actually looks stupider and stupider by the day

I use to watch them on TV BIT NO MORE

Get your news from somewhere else

The AR-15 assault rifle was the weapon used in last year's movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colo.

Well several of you caught the most obvious error in this sentence. The implication that this was the rifle used in the shooting, and should have been tagged as evidence.

But this is not an assault rifle. Unless I am mistaken, but the AR-15 is a semi-auto only. If this were an assault rifle, would it then not be an M-16 or M-4?

Don Giacomo #1.5

"Unfortunately the bullets they dug out of the victims all came from an assault rifle according to the highway patrol."

I bet Petra Anderson would beg to differ...

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/07/26/12940840-shotgun-pellets-miracle-path-spared-aurora-victims-life?lite

Witchking 1.26

Yes, you are correct that nbc is garbage and just a left wing purveyor of propaganda.

However, this is precisely why I visit this site, sheer entertainment. Where else can one find so many fools rushing to put themselves on display?

Besides, I seriously doubt these nbc "journalists" can find legitimate employment elsewhere.

HAHAHA, Wet! Too true!!

What's the problem here? San Francisco is basically a gun free zone, there's absolutely nothing to worry about.

The cops like to think because their cars are un-marked nobody knows ! EVERYBODY KNOWS and most TRAINED officers leave their shotguns and assault weapons secured in the trunk !

this happened in SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA were the liberals run wild and the police as you can tell are stupid !

Car 54 where are you?

Zappas-that show cracks me up, love the old good clean humor. Simpler times my friend.

Dude, where's my AR-15?

"Assault weapon" is the media's way of describing rifle-length weapons firing an intermediate power round that possess a detachable magazine and pistol grip.

Lock your doors, cops.

"Assault weapon" is the media's way of describing

Well the media is wrong! But it's sure effective a driving fear into the minds of the gun uneducated!

Assault weapon was the term used by the gun manufacturers because most of their customers wanted to own one of those big bad army rifles, until it became a PC incorrect name.

The first AR I bought back in the early 80's was NOT called and assault weapon. It was called an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. It was even labeled on the box as such.

What a crock, Don Giacomo. The "assault rifle" misnomer comes from the Brady Bunch efforts to paint the AR-15 as some kind of evil creation. The "AR" in AR-15 stands for the original manufacturer, ARmalite.

Don, you are sooooo wrong.. The Assault weapon name was coined for full-auto.. Then the libbies took hold of the name to demonise all semi-auto to fool the uneducated.

Assault rifle was a term used for many of the weapons used in the Vietnam war. You kiddies who didn't learn their history need to Google it.

Back east,

You are sooooo wrong. The fully automatic military weapon is a "rifle, automatic", more commonly called an assault rifle. The "assault weapon" is, by definition, a semi-automatic rifle that has a detachable magazine and one or more (depending on where you live) characteristics that make it look mean, but don't add to its lethality.

Denver, you're only partially correct. By legal definition an assault weapon requires that it have rapid fire with a single pull of the trigger. Commercially sold Ar-15s only fire one round with each pull of the trigger.

AvgJoe,

Look up the definition contained in the original Federal assault weapons ban of 1994. Nowhere does it mention "rapid fire", and in fact it addresses semi-automatic rifles specifically, because automatic rifles can only be owned by someone with a Federal license.

I stand by my statement as 100% correct with regards to Federal law. If you are aware of a state that mentions automatic weapons in a state ban, let me know.

Don Giacomo-

Even so, today's semi-automatic rifle is not selectable, hence the reason it is a SEMI-automatic. Weapons that my father used in Vietnam were selectable fire for SAFE-SEMI-AUTO; a TRUE assault weapon. Selectable firearms are deemed Assault Weapons. An AR-15 of today is no better than a hunting rifle except these are usually molded/painted black, have a pistol grip and have a detachable magazine. Liberal policitians like Dianne "Einstein", Chucky Schumer, Dildo Cuomo, Joe 'Puddinghead' Biden, Mayor Bloomingidiot, and Heir Dictator himself, POTUS Barry want to ban these 'assault-style' weapons. All because the look scary.

Go to google and look up the M-16 and AR-15. The AR stands for Armalite, NOT Assault Rifle.

Look up the definition contained in the original Federal assault weapons ban of 1994.

So because the government coined the scary frase we should see it for what they portray it as? It's idiotic to think of and AR as an assault weapon any more than my semi auto 9mm or 45 or even my semi auto 308! And when they and the media and the gun haters compare it inaccurately to weapons in theater, you all lose credibility right then. Call it what ever you like. Those of us who grew up, trained, used and keep guns know that "assault weapon" is about as far from it's description as it can possibly be!

The "AR" as in AR-15 rifles is short for the brand name Armalite which invented that style of weapon for the military. It was also known as the M-16 assault rifle, which is fully automatic and can shoot 30 rounds in 1.64 seconds. The military version also has almost twice the muzzle velocity of the civilian version.

The civilian version is called the AR-15 and is semi-automatic only. It can only shoot one bullet with each pull of the trigger. The civilian ammunition is also not as powerful as the military ammunition. The media and gun haters call them assault rifles. They are fake looking knock-offs of the military version.

The media, the President & all that want to put gun bans in place are distorting the facts.

I found the following information earlier:

In Connecticut’s Uniform Crime reports, from 1994 to 2011, there were 2138 Murders in the state. 361 were committed with a knife. 139 were beaten to death with bare hands or feet. 106 were killed with blunt objects. The total number of people murdered with a rifle were 36. If you factor in Sandy Hook your total number is 63 in 18 years. This is in a state with 3.4 million people. That means the odds of you being murdered in the state of Connecticut with *ANY TYPE of RIFLE* is 1 in 971,500; the odds of being hit by lightning is 1 in 770,000. Think about that.

Honest truth, morals & values are left out by the major media. They have their own agenda. Most Americans know when they are being lied to by both the media and elected officials.

"Assault weapon" is the media's way of describing rifle-length weapons

That look 'evil'.

.

Wow, I guess since everyone pointed out that Don Giacomo was a dumbass, he doesn't want to come back on and defend himself...I guess that's what happens when dumb liberals spout off from their piehole without having correct, factual knowledge.

STANDARD.

It is... the media likes to call everything an 'assault rifle' to get people riled up.

An AR-15 is the civilian, non-fully automatic version of the military's M16/M4 assault rifles...but it's only SEMI-AUTO....an AR-15 is definitely NOT a shotgun. Google's a neat thing, you may want to try it sometime!

You thought wrong. The AR-15 is a semi-automatic rifle. Essentially it is an M-16 without the fully auto or 3 round burst sections.

David Taylor

Veteran USAR/USN

Served as a U.S. Navy Law Enforcement Officer.

Frankly; the fact police feel the need them proves that the average citizen should be allowed them to enjoy equal protection in self defense / defense of family, etc.

I had an AR-15 shotgun..... held 410 shotgun shells.... an AR-15 can be just about anything

They do make a couple AR-15 style semi-auto shotguns ...

Floridaguy,

You're thinking about the Saiga shotgun. It resembles more of an AK than an AR.

David,

I agree with you. The Milwaukee Police chief who made such a vehement stand in Congress against "assault weapons", in fact had a few years ago replaced their standard patrol shotguns with the S&W version of the AR-15. At the time he was asked why and he is quoted as saying that he needed to keep officers from being outgunned by criminals. But apparently he is just fine with law abiding citizens being outgunned by criminals. Last time I checked, the overwhelming vast majority of crimes have ordinary citizens as the targets, not police officers.

There is a growing movement among gun manufacturers and distributors to not sell weapons to police or government authorities in states and municipalities who have laws restricting private ownership of the same weapons. I applaud their position.

There was a time when only SWAT teams had these guns, but now police all over are carrying them in standard patrol vehicles instead of shotguns. DHS had bids out for 7,000 fully automatic AR-15 style rifles for their officers. In the bid request they called these "personal defense weapons". A full auto AR-15 is "personal defense weapon" in the hands of law enforcement, but the semi-auto version is an "assualt weapon" when a law abiding citizen has one. Seems to me they have this completly "bass-akwards".

Frankly, I don't see it as a good idea for every cop to be carrying an AR-15 in their patrol cars in city environments. Not a good thing to be shooting these in populated areas. In rural environments it is different and those officers can easily be 15 minutes or more away from back-up help. I can understand their need for better armament. The 12 gauge shotgun with "00" buck is a far better defensive weapon in city environments and quite a bit safer from the standpoint of unintended victims.

99.9% of criminal don't mess with cops, they mess with law abiding citizens. The Milwaukee chief said "assault weapons" are only good for killing a lot of people. So he wants cops to kill a lot of people? Whatever happened to capturing and arresting criminals to bring them to justice?

Why are we "militarizing" law enforcement well at the same time trying to disarm law abiding citizens?

As to the question about how they criminals knew it was a police vehicle? How dumb a question can somebody ask? Does anybody think that private citizens are driving around LA with AR-15s strapped to their dash? Criminals likewise can spot an unmarked police vehicle from a block away.

And for those talking about locking their doors, learn to read. The article clearly states that they gained entry by smashing a window.

Due to the configuration of the weapon, AR-15 receivers can be interchanged easily. I have seen them in .22, .223, .308, and 6.5mm. I've not seen a shotgun version, but I suspect they could be chambered for a 2-1/2" .410 shotgun shell, similar to the Taurus Judge revolvers.

Floridaguy,

I know they make AR upper receivers for the .410, but I've never seen or heard of anybody selling an AR-.410 commercially. I suppose you can buy one custom or build one from the parts. The Russian Saiga can be had in .410 if you can find one, but that's based on the AK. The Saigas are reliable, but "rude and crude". Not sure how reliable the more sophisticated AR action would be with this type ammo.

The new .410 defensive rounds designed for the Judge pistol are pretty impressive. A .410 in an AR or AK style platform would a great home defense gun. Not as good as a 12 gauge, but far milder to shoot. What you give up in the number of pellets, you gain in shot capacity. The "lowly" .410 gets overlooked as a "starter" gun for learning youngsters, but its ballistic performance is surprisingly pretty good. Just not throwing a lot of pellets and the shells are pretty pricey.

Here come da judge.....Here come da judge. Trivia time. Purchased the Siaga a couple months ago, price has skyrocketed, but then again, what ain't.

Stone.... you sound like you got your Saiga about the time I finished "modifying" mine....

Fully 922r compliant and is a truly nice shotgun. With the conversion, it'll handle anything from the cheap WalMart stuff to 3" without any complaints.

Have you had any ammo issues, other than finding it?

XDm9mm,

Whose magazines do you use with it? I know the gun will feed 3" with the factory magazines, but I've heard most aftermarket ones won't. Part of the problem is that the finished length of .410s isn't very standardized. I know the action will handle it just fine, but magazines are pretty tight.

I have shot one quite a bit and agree that it is a nice gun. Not pretty, but I suppose that's in the eyes of the beholder. I am not so big into a "military look", which is really what all the ant-gun crazies are about. I'm more into functioning and reliability but also like something that looks high quality too. Not that I see the stamped parts and rough finish as something that takes away from function, but for the price they are asking for these, it could be better looking using milled and machine parts.

I guess it is somewhat a matter of taste. I think the wood stocked stainless Ruger Mini-14 in .223 is every bit the gun as most AR-15 knock offs, but they are both well built and cheaper and they don't get the crazies all upset. Even the latest "assault weapons" proposal has them exempted.

There is a difference between unmarked and undercover. The article makes it unclear as it says unmarked but then goes on to say that they don't know how it was known to be a police car by the thief.

Gotta agree with you there. look for cars or SUVs with extra dark tints that seem to be a tad bit lower to the ground that stock vehicles.

And it's common knowledge that if an officer of ANY caliber has a rifle/shotgun, it's typically kept in the trunk or on a rail in the back of the vehical. Seeing as this was an unmarked vehicle, the obviously IF one was present it would be in the trunk.

Furthermore if that unmarked car patroled the area where the gun was stolen from, odds are his car was well known. I'm not a criminal, but I can tell you the make and model of at least 4 unmarked cars that patrol my area. Dark tints, powerful motor, no loud music, the drive around seemingly aimlessly. The suits part is a common myth based around confusion between federal agencies and local agencies. locals tend to wear jeans slacks rather than suits.

Anonymous really, that's the best you could do?

I'm sorry I did not live up to your expectations, Chip. Whatever shall I do?!?!?

Anonymous actually, you did meet my expectations. No worries...

What puzzles me is how you thought you could wedge that into this string and make some sense of it...

I watched "End of Watch" last night. Don't blame me, blame the movie that influenced my comment. It made me do it.

yeah, maybe we should have a cop gun buyback program to re-arm the masses

I hope Barry does another stimulus give-away... mine will go toward more guns.....

Can't they just arrest him when he comes back in 3-days to pick up his rifle? Or is it seven in CA?

High-powered makes it sound scarier. Dont tell them my 10/22 will empty a magazine faster than my AR15 or else they will ban .22 rifles as well.

I don't believe it was a AR15. It was a Smith & Wesson M&P15. Plus he only fired 30 rounds before it jammed.

Did you miss the part where it says criminals broke in to the car and sole it? Any idiot knows guns don't kill people. Now lets have a serious conversation about these thieves!

The AR-15 on scene at the theater is not an assault weapon. No burst + no full auto = plain old rifle. Could be black and could look menacing, but it's just a rifle.

Thanks. I needed a chuckle.