WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.—A sheriff's department in North Carolina is
seeking permission to trade a pair of vintage Tommy guns for
dozens of new rifles for his deputies.  Commisioners in Forsyth
County planned to vote late Monday whether the fully automatic
Thompson machine guns could be traded for 88 modern Bushmaster
rifles valued at $60,000. Sheriff's officials say a trade would
further their goal of equipping every deputy with a rifle,
noting they can't use the machine guns seen in gangster movies.
The sheriff's office sought bids from 23 federal firearms
dealers before settling on an offer from Craig's Firearm Supply
Inc. of Knoxville, Tenn. Company executive Wally Johnson
declined comment, noting the deal hasn't been completed.
Experts note law enforcement agencies have been selling or
trading antique firearms for decades.