Lawmaker Told Navy SEALs Don’t Have Enough Combat Rifles

WASHINGTON (AP) — The tip of the spear may be losing its edge.

Navy SEALs are telling a California congressman that they don't have enough combat rifles to go around, even as these highly trained forces are relied on more than ever for counterterrorism operations and other secretive missions.

Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter says after SEALs return from a deployment, their rifles are given to other commandos who are shipping out.

The SEALs say this weapons carousel undercuts the "train like you fight" ethos of the U.S. special operations forces.

Hunter is a former Marine who served three combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Hunter says he's been contacted by multiple SEALs.

Army Gen. Joseph Votel, top officer at U.S. Special Operations Command in Tampa, Florida, says the complaints are being examined.

(Story by: Richard Lardner, The Associated Press)