The State of Alabama -A- ABC Enforcement Agent s Manual Updated 02/20/2007
CHAPTER 3 Chapter 3 Page 1 FIREARMS POLICY PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy is to establish standardization of weapons and ammunition, and to provide direction concerning the issuance, control, maintenance, usage, and training of firearms of the Alabama ABC Board Enforcement Division. WEAPONS: A. Handgun Weapon classifications 1. Primary Weapon: This weapon is the issued Glock Model 22.40 semiautomatic pistol. This weapon is authorized to be carried on the Agent s side. Agents must qualify with this weapon at least once per year on the standard 50 round qualification course with a score of at least 70. 2. Secondary Weapon: This weapon must be a minimum of 9mm and a maximum of.45 caliber. Agents may carry this weapon on a daily basis instead of the primary weapon described above. Prior to an Agent carrying a secondary weapon, approval must be given in writing by at least 2 ABC Enforcement Firearms instructors AND the Agent must qualify with this weapon on the standard 50 round qualification course with a score of at least 80. Agent s must carry factory load duty ammunition with this weapon. 3. Back-Up Weapon: This must be a.38 caliber or.380 caliber weapon. Prior to an Agent carrying a back-up weapon, approval must be given by at least 2 ABC Enforcement Firearms instructors AND the Agent must qualify with this weapon on the back-up 25 round qualification course with a score of at least 70. Back-up weapons are to be used as a last resort and only when an agent s primary or secondary weapon is not available or non-functional. Back-up weapons must be carried concealed at all times. B. Departmental issued service shotgun for agents is the Remington model 1187, 12 gauge semi-auto shotgun. Agents issued shotguns must qualify on the standard course administered by ABC Enforcement firearms instructors at least once each year with a passing score of at least 70. Revised 2/20/2008
C. Ammunition carried must meet the following requirements: Chapter 3 Page 2 1. Hollow Point, Factory loaded ammunition. Ammunition for the Primary Weapon will be issued by ABC Enforcement. Ammunition for Secondary and Back-Up Weapons will be the responsibility of the Agent approved to carry that weapon. 2. Ammunition must meet the following requirements for each caliber:.380 caliber - 90+ grain 9 mm - 147+ grain.38 caliber - 125+ grain.357 caliber - 125+ grain.40 caliber - 155+ grain.45 caliber - 185+ grain RIFLES A. Sworn ABC Enforcement Agents may carry any rifle meeting all of the following criteria, after receiving written approval from at least 2 Firearms Instructors: 1. Weapons chambered for a cartridge of 7.62 NATO (.308 Winchester) or smaller. 2. Center fire cartridge. 3. Semi-automatic action fitted with open or receiver sights (no scopes or magnifying sights). 4. Agent furnished ammunition used for duty must be soft or hollow point and original factory loaded. Ammunition must meet the following requirements:.308 caliber must be 110-165 grain.30 caliber must be 90-110 grain.223 caliber must be 52-64 grain 5. AK or SKS type rifles are prohibited. Optical, red-dot, or laser sights may be allowed after approval of the Training Coordinator or designee. Military weapons manufactured with a select-fire capability may be authorized by the Training Coordinator or designee. B. Agents carrying rifles will be required to qualify annually. Agents will qualify using the course of fire currently used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; a 50 round/50 yard/multi-position course with an 80% passing score required.
Chapter 3 Page 3 C. All Agents will be required to successfully complete a six (6) hour basic rifle course approved by the Chief of Enforcement. A rifle will only be used by authorized and trained personnel in accordance with the Use of Force Policy and any additional guidelines set forth in this section or in training. D. All Agents will be required to obtain permission from their supervisor before carrying a rifle/carbine/shotgun into a dwelling during the execution of a search warrant or arrest warrant. All rifles/carbines/shotguns will be equipped with a sling, proper sights, and attached light before utilizing the weapon on search or arrest warrant execution. E. An ABC Enforcement Agent will never attempt to perform duties as a sniper while using the approved rifle. The sniper role in law enforcement is a highly specialized role requiring intense training which the ABC Enforcement Division does not offer. IV. MAINTENANCE A. Weapons issued by the Department are the responsibility of the agent to whom they are issued. The agent will keep such firearms clean and in good working condition. B. The Agent s immediate supervisor will make regular inspections of all firearms carried on duty by agents under his supervision. C. The Training Coordinator or members of his staff shall inspect each firearm periodically. If an Agent experiences a problem with his/her issued firearm, this should be reported to one of ABC Enforcement s firearms instructors and the logistics officer as soon as possible along with notification to the District Supervisor. D. Agents having weapons or ammunition in poor or abused condition shall be reported to the Chief of Enforcement in writing by the agent s supervisor or the Training Officer. E. Agents carrying unauthorized weapons or ammunition on duty will be reported to the Chief of Enforcement in writing by the agent s supervisor or the Training Coordinator. F. Departmental issued weapons will not be altered in any manner. All repairs on departmental weapons are to be completed by Training Staff armorers. It is the responsibility of all agents to ensure that assigned weapons function properly.
V. TRAINING Chapter 3 Page 4 A. Each agent will demonstrate proficiency in the use of authorized weapons carried on duty (Departmental issued sidearm, shotgun, and back-up weapon). Proficiency will be demonstrated at the direction of the Chief of Enforcement or the Training Officer. No firearm will be issued to or carried by an agent without said agent satisfactorily completing a departmental sponsored course of instruction. B. Remedial training will be conducted for agents that fail to perform at a proficient level with their departmental issued firearms. Each agent must meet a qualification standard of a 70% pass level on a departmental qualification course annually. C. Probationary agents will be required to meet the same firearms qualification standards as agents. Probationary agents will follow the same policy as agents concerning the remedial training program. D. Agents who fail to achieve the required firearms scores set by the POSTC and/or the Chief of the Enforcement Division will be terminated. USE OF FIREARM No agent may discharge his/her firearm at another person for any reason except in defense of his/her life or that of another person. An agent is specifically prohibited from using his/her firearm: 1. When the use of deadly force is specifically prohibited by state law. 2. To fire a warning shot. 3. To shoot at or from a moving vehicle except in defense of life when all other means have been exhausted. 4. When the firing of the agent s weapon poses a greater risk to the public than the risk imposed by the assailant to the agent or public. REPORTING OF LOST, STOLEN OR DAMAGED WEAPONS: In the event any weapon is lost, stolen, or damaged the Agent will notify his/her immediate supervisor as soon as possible. The Agent will file a written report within 24 hours through the chain of command to the Chief of Enforcement following the loss, theft, damage, or replacement of a departmental firearm. This report shall include a full description of the weapons and all facts surrounding such loss, theft, or damage. Also, the agent will receive the appropriate reports from an agency investigating a lost or stolen weapon.