Increasing firepower was the general idea behind the recent upgrade of Virginia State troopers arsenal to include the Colt M4 Carbine rifle.

As part of the federal grant to cover anti-terrorism activities, the M4 gives the troopers a long range weapon.

"It's much more accurate than the handgun and increases our capability," said Virginia State Police firearms trainer First Sgt. John Morykon.

Up to now, the troopers were armed with a .357 pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun. The M4 fires a .223 caliber bullet. It resembles a military M16 but, unlike the pistol and shotgun, it has a range of 600 meters and a magazine that holds 30 bullets, according to the Colt website. It is a semi-automatic weapon, that will shoot a bullet in succession every time the trigger is pulled, but they are not fully automatic, according to Morykon.

"It gives us much greater range and more ammunition in the magazines," Morykon said.

Training started in March 2003; all 1,550 of the troopers and special agents will be trained and outfitted with the rifles by September. They are going to Fort Pickett south of Richmond for the training.

"They're excited about getting the weapon, it's long overdue," said police spokesperson Sgt. Wallace Bouldon.

Other state law enforcement agencies that have incorporated the Colt M4 Carbine or the AR-15, a similar rifle, include Tennessee, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, California and Michigan. North Carolina is going through the preliminary process as well, according to Colt sales representative Bill Chartier.

Carlton Chen, Colt vice president, confirmed that trend.

"A lot of state police use the M4 Carbine," he said.

Citizen reaction in the county to the news about the state trooper's additional firepower was approving.

"The police department should utilize any equipment to do their job," said Fairfax resident Phyllis Swart.

"They could use it, I see no problem with that," said Tom Fredericks, Fairfax Station.

Springfield resident Rayanne Pirozzi looked at events surrounding the decision.

"Given recent events, I think it's probably a good idea," she said.