DHS officers lost guns in restrooms, bowling alleys, cars
USA Today
In the first such accounting, Homeland Security officers lost nearly 200 weapons in bowling alleys, restrooms, unlocked cars and other unsecure areas from fall 2005 through 2008, USA TODAY’s Thomas Frank reports. At least 15 guns ended up in the hands of gang members, criminals, drug users and teenagers.
The report, by Inspector General Richard Skinner, said most weapons were never found. They included hand guns, shotguns and military rifles.
He documented 289 missing firearms, though some were lost after Hurricane Katrina and others were stolen from safes.
DHS has disciplined some offenders and beefed up training.
CNN writes that 179 guns — 74% of the total — were lost “because officers did not properly secure them,” the report said.
DHS had nearly 190,000 weapons in its inventory as of last summer, the report said. Most are assigned to Customs and Border Protection and ICE officers.
Though the number of lost guns is a tiny fraction, any lost weapon “is a very serious matter,” said Hubert Williams, president of the Police Foundation, a think tank on law enforcement issues. “It reflects the competence of the officer.”
HERE is the FULL Report in a PDF file
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Wild Thing’s comment……..
I wonder how many laptops full of sensitive intel were also lost.
These people are so o incompetent ! But who wants to bet they never miss cashing their checks.
Sounds like they need a higher standard for hiring employees. Also sounds like Napolotano should resign.
One thing a troop never does is lose a weapon, the price to pay is too high.
I suppose we are to accept and award these halfwits for their long known incompetence, let’s not forget that the reasons for piss poor discipline lies at the feet of their leaders. Let’s promote them, how about a nice title increase to Top Goon and the Barney Fife award.
Mark, ditto that. It is amazing how careless they have been. shocking.
Jack, I agree, it does start at the top in the leaders.