Rick Lawson's column of Feb. 24, "A civilized society needs laws, not more guns" was factually inaccurate in regard to police weaponry. Lawson states that the weapons carried by police officers typically have a six- to 10-shot capacity.

In fact, police handguns typically use standard-capacity magazines containing between 14 and 17 rounds, with two or more spare magazines kept in pouches on the officer's duty belt. Depending on departmental policy, a smaller, concealable pistol may be carried as a backup.

In addition, a shotgun is kept in the front seat and an AR-15 semiautomatic carbine, with a supply 20- or 30-round magazines, is secured in the trunk. These are defensive weapons rather than "assault weapons," and you are unlikely to find this mythical, pejorative propaganda term used in departmental budget requests justifying their purchase.

Police, just like the citizens they serve, require capable defensive firearms that will allow one to stand against many when help will be a long time coming, if it is coming at all. Neither should an officer's or citizen's firearm run dry because a politician limited him to 10 or fewer rounds per magazine.

John Howard

Fredericksburg