ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.--
Albuquerque police are tracking the black market sale of assault rifles in hopes of keeping armor-penetrating bullets from being fired at officers.
Albuquerque police said they have seen an increase in assault rifles on the streets and in the hands of criminals.
Understanding that some of these weapons can shoot through a protective vest or even a car door keeps officers on edge.
"When we go out there, it's in the back of our heads: we may get shot today. It's a very dangerous job," Sgt. Patrick Ficke said.
According to authorities, only military and law enforcement officers are allowed to buy armor-penetrating bullets, but that doesn't stop criminals from getting their hands on the deadly ammunition.
"They're getting them and selling them to the wrong people that we don't want having them," Ficke said.
Police said they hope that tracking black market sales will stop any potential attacks that could prove deadly to both the public and uniformed officers.
Officers said it takes something like a concrete wall to protect them from such a powerful weapon.
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