What assault rifles can police use?

Answer 1

Whatever their agencies authorize for use. Most comonly used "cruiser rifles" are .308's - .223's - and .30 cal carbines. SWAT-type units use different types according to whatever their department happened to purchase. Most are of the short barreled full-auto type weapons (i.e.: UZI's - H&K Mp-5's - etc). This is by no means a full list of law enforcement weapons that can be found in use. The most common "long" gun carried by the police is the good old 12 guage shotgun.

Answer 2

The term "assault rifle" is actually a loaded term. If you assaulted someone with a fork, should we change the name to "assault fork?" But all that aside, I understand the question, so I'll answer it. You can legally purchase a military-style weapon (aka "assault rifle") in most parts of the United States, but only if it is a semi-automatic. It can only be able to fire a single shot per trigger pull. To own a select fire weapon (capable of multiple shots with one trigger pull), you would need a Class III tax stamp. You would have to find a transferable Class III weapons for sale (pre-86 for US manufacture, or pre-68 for an imported firearm) and you need to be fingerprinted, pass the background check (NICS) and then have a Class III dealer transfer the rifle. Otherwise, you would need to qualify for a type of special exemption, such as dealer samples of automatic weapons manufactured after 1968 (for imported weapons) or 1986 (for domestically manufactured firearms), in which case, you would need the tax stamp, as well as a law enforcement letterhead, and you could never transfer those weapons to a civil market customer.