Princeton police get new guns - WVVA TV Bluefield Beckley WV News, Weather and Sports

PRINCETON, W. Va (WVVA)-- The Princeton Police Department has several new additions: four new A-15 semi-automatic assault rifles.

Officers should be completely trained to use the new weapons by the end of the week, Captain Paul Hill said Wednesday.

"It puts us on a level playing field with everybody else we deal with," said Hill.  He mentioned that the criminals they often encounter on the streets have higher-tech weapons than those his officers were using before this purchase.

With these new rifles, Hill says this not only protects his officers better, but also helps them protect the town. "When we respond to a call, we will have the tools we need to get the job done," he said. 

These rifles come to the police department through money allocated by the city of Princeton. Princeton PD also sold a few of their old guns to bring the cost down. In all, the four were purchased for a price of $1100.

Wayne Shumate, Princeton's city manager, helped secure this money from the city's general fund. 

"He's certainly done a lot for us over the years," said Hill. 

Shumate ends his career with the city of Princeton next week.