New Police Weapons
(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 24. New light-weight weapons will be issued to police armed offenders squads throughout New Zealand this year.
They will replace the traditionally favoured .303 rifle and the heavy service .38 Smith and Wesson revolver.
The Commissioner of Police (Mr G. C. Urquhart) said today that officials and representatives of armed offenders squads had examined a number of different weapons in recent months. The modern "air-weight” Smith and Wesson .38 revolver was accepted for use within the last month. It is about a pound lighter and more accurate than its Second World War predecessor. Special ammunition will be used to give greater range. The police are still seeking a rifle to replace the .303. Mr Urquhart said the .223 was,favoured. “We’re essentially an unarmed police force,” Mr Urquhart said. “That policy has definitely paid dividends in containing the armed offender problem.”
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31923, 26 February 1969, Page 1
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148New Police Weapons Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31923, 26 February 1969, Page 1
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