Money, it always comes down to $$$. They scrape money together just to fund something as basic as vehicles. Patrol rifles (600-700 of them) would cost just under a million and is low on their list.That is just wrong! You are in law enforcement and at this point are literally being placed in the position of doing battle with foreign and domestic criminal cartels. Ones with a long and storied history of utter brutality and vicious premeditated murders. Your employer, with my tax dollars, owes you the tools to protect yourselves and the community you swore to protect.
Why does your department not issue some form of long gun to all patrol officers? What is their excuse?
I would much prefer an officer have the power and precision of a rifle if at all possible, versus having to rely upon a less powerful and less accurate handgun.