GAME WARDENS TO GET M-16S

Surplus Army Rifles Will Replace Semiautomatics, Provide More Firepower

BROWNSVILLE - Texas game wardens are about to get some new weapons -
surplus M-16s from the military.

Acquiring the weapons continues a program of arming game wardens in parts
of the state where they may encounter more dangerous situations, Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department officials said.

"The new rifles will be distributed to game wardens in areas of Texas, such
as the border and in East Texas, where they might encounter drug smugglers
or operators of clandestine meth labs," spokesman Tom Harvey said. "When
they operate in such areas, they need to have the right equipment to deal
with situations as they arise."

Col. James Stinebaugh, Texas Parks and Wildlife director, said that because
the federal government decided to donate the surplus rifles, authorities
will replace the AR-15 semiautomatic rifles that game wardens have now.

"The only difference is it has a selector on it, which would allow it to be
fired full automatic instead of semiautomatic," Col. Stinebaugh said about
the M-16.

The state will pay to ensure that game wardens receive two days of training
with the new rifles. About 400 game wardens in the state are expected to
receive M-16s within the next few weeks.

A Texas Parks and Wildlife official in the Rio Grande Valley said the
weapons will help game wardens along the coast who encounter people who are
frequently better armed.

"A lot of the people that are involved in these illegal activities are
extremely well armed with AK-47s. What the department is trying to do is
trying to make sure the state game wardens are well armed as well," said
Capt. Ken Baker in Brownsville.

Staff writer David McLemore in San Antonio contributed to this report.