Abstract: A rapid response patrol and antiterrorist vehicle (10) is disclosed which incorporates a weapon such as a machine gun (16) which can be extended through a roof opening of the vehicle (10) to control terrorist activity. However, when the weapon is in the storage position, the vehicle (10) has a totally conventional appearance.When the gun is to be used, the roof hatch (15) is retracted by a hydraulic motor (150) and is retracted into a space between a conventional appearing roof section (128) and an inner armored roof section (126). The weapon can then be raised on a pivotal weapon frame (18) which is activated by a rotary hydraulic motor (29). The pivotal weapon frame (18) can be securely fastened to a stationary support frame (22) within the vehicle by activating a locking pin (122). The control system prevents the pivotal weapon frame (18) from pivoting from its storage position to the firing position before the roof hatch (15) is fully retracted.