State troopers train with new shotguns

The Georgia State Patrol recently announced the purchase of new shotguns for its force, and troopers from the Thomson post and others from Troop E spent last week in Appling training with their new weapons.

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Dozens of troopers and other state Department of Public Safety officers were introduced Oct. 16-18 to the new Benelli Nova Tactical shotguns at the Columbia County Sheriff's Office training range. The Nova Tactical shotguns replace the department's Mossberg firearms, which are being phased out after a decade of service, said Capt. R.D. Powell, the state patrol's director of training.

The Department of Public Safety purchased 1,000 Nova Tactical shotguns for its entire state police force, according to a news release, which also noted that it is one of the largest purchases of the weapon by a state law enforcement agency in the United States.

Powell said the department was satisfied with its Mossberg shotguns, but after 10 years in service and with regular use, it was time to replace the firearms.

The new shotguns have 4-inch longer barrels than their predecessors, which Powell said has helped troopers improve their accuracy with the weapon.

"We felt that the Benelli was a high-quality weapon," he said.

During the training session, troopers also updated their deadly-force training and firearms proficiency for their Glock sidearms and backup weapons, Powell said.