The Marion Police Department is now armed with AR-15 semi-automatic rifles.
The officers competed training and the weapons are now "locked and loaded" with AR-15s in squad cars, KCRG reports.
"Day to day job, you probably won't use it nine times out of ten," Officer Jordan Gallagher told KCRG. "But the one time that you do need it, you want it and it makes you feel definitely more prepared."
With the rifles, which are more accurate and powerful then shotguns and hand guns, officers will have the same firepower as assailants in some of the mass shootings that have shaken the nation.
Marion police would no longer need to wait for tactical teams before engaging in an active shooter situation.
"The people that are using these weapons as civilians are using them illegally," Sgt. John Chipman told KCRG. "We need to be as well-armed or better armed than any target individuals that we may encounter."
Marion made national waves several months back when it decided it would arm the force with AR-15 semi-automatic rifles following the Newtown, CT school shooting. The initial plan called for officers to pick up the tab for the weapons, but after some backlash the city wound up paying.
Chief Harry Daugherty told Patch earlier this year the weapon is necessary for his officers, who are called to respond to a variety of situations.
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