GBI issues AR-15 rifles to all agents

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is stepping up their firepower and issuing AR-15 semi-automatic rifles to all agents across Georgia.

The state’s top law enforcement agency now has all 275 agents equipped with the rifle, something that was previously only provided on a limited basis.

The agency says the rifles are a result of the increase assaults on police officers and the spike in mass assaults with high-powered rifles. These guns allow agents to “put highly accurate rounds down range or towards a threat.” The rifles are a tactical advantage, or at least a match when agents encounter a threat.

CBS News reports:

Issuing the weapon is also in response to mass shootings and ambush attacks on officers that have happened across the country. The GBI says they are also seeing the rifles in their investigations in Georgia.

GBI agents also have a handgun and a Taser.