This is stand alone document, unaccompanied by a model policy, explores the primary issues surrounding the issuance of rifles to line patrol officers. Following extensive research, the Law Enforcement Policy Center concluded that a discussion of the issues surrounding this important topic would be more beneficial than development of a model policy, given opposing professional views on basic considerations surrounding this program. This document isolates and examines the predominant issue areas with the intention of providing law enforcement executives with essential information to make informed decisions—whether that be to implement a patrol rifle program or modify an existing program, or to reject or defer decision making on this matter.