The Burke County Sheriff's Office donated five tactical response rifles to the Waynesboro Police Department, who didn't have any. The rifles are used in active shooter situations. (Source: BCSO)

The rifles are used in any active shooter situation. Back in 2017, Waynesboro police actually had a close call when a man fired at them using a gun that was a lot more accurate and powerful than their weapons.

None of the officers involved were hurt, but they realized the situation could have gone a lot differently.

"Can you imagine if an active shooter situation occurred where children or adults were and your law enforcement agency arrived and couldn't stop the threat? That's unacceptable in today's society," Chief Lewis Blanchard of the Burke County Sheriff's Office said.

The FBI says there were 27 active shooter incidents last year. Waynesboro police and the sheriff's office say they aren't going to wait for one to happen in their town to prepare.

"It's always prepare for the worst and pray for the best. And that's what you have to do, though. But failing to plan is planning to fail," Blanchard said.

Waynesboro police Assistant Chief Tommy Henderson says he is extremely grateful to the sheriff's office for their donation, and they hope to purchase even more rifles in the near future.

"The rifles will add to the protection for the officer himself, and the service he provides for the citizens," he said.

In other areas like Aiken County, the Aiken County Sheriff's Office says they have tactical response rifles for every patrol officer.

Shared from WRDW/WAGT TV