Stolen Army Assault Rifles Keep Showing Up In California

[livingston]

Stolen Army Assault Rifles Keep Showing Up In California

Authorities in California’s agricultural heartland weren’t looking for a military assault rifle when they went to investigate the domestic assault case, but they found one.

It was in the garage of a Spanish-tiled home in Fresno that police stumbled upon the AK-74. Its distinctively banana-shaped magazine — loaded with 20 rounds — was in a nearby storage container.

Stolen Army Assault Rifles Keep Showing Up In California

sacramento.cbslocal.com

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

It was in the garage of a Spanish-tiled home in Fresno that police stumbled upon the AK-74. Its distinctively banana-shaped magazine — loaded with 20 rounds — was in a nearby storage container.

I guess the AK 74 is the military variant of the popular AK 47?

 

[HEX]

"AK-74s are similar to their more famous cousin, the AK-47. Every two seconds, they shoot three bullets. Because of how rapidly they fire, civilians cannot legally possess them in the United States without a license. "

What ? Where did they even get that number from ? They're clearly referring to a weapon capable of automatic fire , but 3 bullets in 2 seconds would be a pretty damn slow cyclic rate ..lol.

I guess the AK 74 is the military variant of the popular AK 47?

I'm not actually sure if you're kidding here or just unfamiliar with the designation. If not kidding, The AK-74 (and later the AK-74M) has been the primary service weapons of Russian troops from the 70s to today (though they have been being replaced since 2018-ish with new variants) and are chambered in 5.45x39. Much more akin to the US 5.56 than the 47/AKM 7.62x39.

In any case it says, "where many soldiers trained before tours in Iraq and Afghanistan", where both platforms are likely the most common fighting rifles, so I'm assuming they were probably intended for some training on the platform they're likely to encounter it in that region, or perhaps for the purposes of helping to train the allied locals on what hardware they have available. I've never actually personally heard of US troops officially training on that platform, but it makes sense; particularly to those who will be assigned to training local forces.

 

[dsdmmat]

@HEX in the late 80s the 7th ID trained everyone on the AK-47 and had us shoot one for familiarization.

 

[Catskillkid]

So, kind of like a reverse Operation: Fast and Furious but to non-free states?

As long as they're going to patriotic Americans I could get behind it.

 

[Cavalry]

@HEX in the late 80s the 7th ID trained everyone on the AK-47 and had us shoot one for familiarization.

Yup, here too. You name it I got paid to shoot it. Week long course on FN/FAL, AK's, G3, Suppressed UZI, Suppressed MP5, RPG7, Etc,Etc. Drove a T55, T72 and a BRDM same training, didn't get to shoot them though, not special enough.

 

[livingston]

So, kind of like a reverse Operation: Fast and Furious but to non-free states?

As long as they're going to patriotic Americans I could get behind it.

The three thieves had base access because they were military police — the soldiers who’d get the call when there was a break-in. To get into the supply warehouse known as Building 934 they cut through a fence, forced open one door and cut through another to enter the arms storage room.

One of them was affiliated with the Fresno Bulldogs street gang. Sgt. John Rodriguez said in an internal interview that he had joined the gang as a fifth grader but was no longer active. That was March 2011 — four months before the heist of 26 AK-74s and a sniper rifle.

After the theft, Rodriguez and Pfc. Harvey DelValle II took off nearly 300 miles to Fresno to unload their haul. At the home of an associate, the two soldiers began calling potential buyers.

This was how the weapons of war made their way onto the streets of Fresno. The guns were among at least 1,900 U.S. military firearms that an Associated Press investigation found were lost or stolen over the last decade.

 

[holdover]

They keep finding thier way to BLM from the backs of burning patrol cars too.

 

[redtail]

What is Eric Holder for 1000 Alex?

 

[Acer-m14]

the Cali Army AK-74 has a reverse banana clip and slow fire rate .. and shouldn't be confused with the AK-47 banana magazine

 

[fresch]

So firing squad?

 

[pjzwtl]

It’s all bullshit, there are laws against possession of such tools therefore impossible

 

[Cooolone]

It’s all bullshit, there are laws against possession of such tools therefore impossible

Hahaha, beat me to it... I was going to say the very same thing, that it was impossible as there were laws to prevent such a thing!