Homeland Security reports losing guns

Source: USA Today

WASHINGTON — The nation's Homeland Security officers lost nearly 200 guns in bowling alleys, public restrooms, unlocked cars and other unsecure areas, with some ending up in the hands of felons. The problem, outlined in a new federal report, has prompted disciplinary actions and extra training.

Most of the misplaced weapons — including handguns, shotguns and military rifles — were never found. "Most losses occurred because officers did not properly secure firearms," says the Homeland Security inspector general report.

At least 15 of the guns ended up in the hands of gang members, criminals, drug users and teenagers, inspector general Richard Skinner found. His report documented 289 missing firearms from fiscal year 2006 through 2008, although not all were lost because of negligence. Some were lost in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and others were stolen from safes.

The report is the first accounting of guns lost by Homeland Security's 185,000 workers.

Homeland Security "took immediate action" to correct problems, department spokeswoman Amy Kudwa said Wednesday. Workers are getting extra training and officials are improving tracking and inspection of guns, Kudwa said.



Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2010-02-17-lost-guns_N.htm

knowing there crack security officers are takin' care of bidness.

and restore the Rule of Law.

Or couldn't shoot at all since it didn't have guns...

This corrective action works very well.

implant a tracking chip in a human, why not guns! Oh boy I've gone and said it now - time to duck. LOL

Funny how those take place for those at the bottom of the command chain and never for those at the top.

Is this kind of like the same thing?

and very very likely riddled with political appointees, not qualified personnel.

I'm quitting that bowling league right damn now!

And the pro-gun lobby wonders why some of us worry about unlimited CC licenses, and people who carry 24/7.

EVERY ILLEGAL GUN ON THE STREETS STARTED OUT AS A LEGALLY OWNED FIREARM.

This is a failed misconception. Many people think that a police officer is like a sniper with their weapons; and that is just not true. Police firearms training (basic training that a recruit gets) can be equated to drivers training for a new driver. It lays a solid foundation on which someone can build on through practice. No one would say that a teenager that just finished drivers training is an "expert driver" nor should we say that a police officer that just graduated from the academy is an "expert shooter".

The scary thing is that unlike many gun enthusiasts that enjoy shooting and take an interest in their firearms, many officers (especially large metro area officers) see their weapons as a carpenter sees their hammer; as just another tool on their belt. They often just do the minimum amount of practice (which in some cases, such as the NYPD, is one range practice day every 6 months). This does not build proficiency.

Civilians can be more proficient with firearms and their safety then police officers and vice versa.

Except in rural areas.