Monday, January 18, 2010

lost 'n' found

Law enforcement personnel have badges, official sounding job descriptions, and are the ones we rely on to protect us when we are unable or, in the case of gun-free zones, not allowed to defend ourselves. There is also a widespread belief that they undergo more thorough training than the rest of us when it comes to firearms.

Unfortunately, someone seems to have skipped "Reholster After Taking a Whiz" day in class.

No big surprise, though, seeing how a lesson in mindfulness would generally have to be a prerequisite.

14 comments:

The Old Man said...

Leave it to the sorry hubby of PULITZER-PRIZE-WINNING-COLUMNIST Konnie "Sgt" Schultz to call for an investigation. Maybe he ought to be looking into the mess in the screwed-up Cleveland school district. Naw, that might expose some unpleasant truths...

Alan said...

Srsly. With examples like this and the Las Vegas "shootout" can we stop with the "they're better trained" excuse?

Lee Paige, anyone?

Sevesteen said...

How about "don't unholster to take a whizz" or "If you have to unholster to take a crap, get better gear"

I know I'm absent-minded enough to leave something behind in a stall besides what I meant to leave behind. I'm not quite absent-minded enough to leave my pants, so I leave my gun attached to my pants.

Doc Abby said...

I think I can understand how the agent could do this although it does not excuse it. She probably was so use to it being where it was suppose to be that when it was gone she still felt it there. Kind of like when a person losses a limb they still have phantom pain in the limb. It was probably also an indication that it was time for her to retire.
-Dr Abby www.drabbyreynolds.com

Unknown said...

Ahah! Good call Doctor. The agent suffered from Phantom Gun. Brilliant! :) Kind of like the TSA suffering from Phantom Security.

Fenris said...

I think they need to be charged with reckless endangerment at the very least. If they're going to be allowed to be extra special and carry in "secure" areas then I expect them to accept some hard-core consequences for losing track of their sidearm.
If any regular person forgot their gun in a public restroom, they'd be raked over the coals to a crispy golden brown. And this turkey gets to retire without further consequences?! There are no words.

Robert McDonald said...

I don't get the unholster in the bathroom thing. I've never had with any of mine (just stay aware of the gun). And I don't even use a retention holster, and LEOs do, so what gives?

Old NFO said...

LOL- Sadly, it's NOT the first time it's happened... and it won't be the last either...

Skip said...

If I or the Mrs. had found it, I'm thinkin' 'yo,a free .40'.

Unknown said...

Poor orphaned firearm just needed someone to take it in. Just breaks my heart to hear of one being abandoned like a prom baby.

*note to self, coffee, then comment. Else you risk the tacky.

Geodkyt said...

Well,

It was apparantly found in the ladies room, given that it was found by a female traveler.

So, assertions about how you've never needed to unholster your weapon while whizzing doesn't apply, gentlemen.

The LEO probably unholstered it so it didn't go CLANK! and then sit on that nasty floor. And, being a LEO, she may well be using her carry method in accordance with departmnetal policy -- unlike us civilian gunnies, not every cop gets to choose what carry position they use.

Doesn't excuse the negligence in leaving it where she EVER lost track of it for an instant, but it helps set up the circumstances.

I thought it was pretty much SOP everywhere with a trouser worn sidearm to chuck it into the crotch of your trousers while sitting on the throne? That way you always have awareness of teh gun position, and you WON'T be leaving it behind. (Of course, she might have been wearing a skirt or dress. . . even though I understand that's frowned upon in LEO circles, in case more vigorous activities suddenly pop up.)

Robert McDonald said...

When I drop my pants to sit on the throne it stays in the holster. This is not hard with a slide holster, it should be ever easier with any sort of retention holster. In dress clothes (which are usually of lighter material) tighten your belt around your calves or ankles to keep it from ending up in the floor. All it takes is a little damned thought.

If you're wearing or skirt, carry a hand bag or purse to put the gun in while on the can.

PPPP said...

I usually just tuck it in my pocket. It's too big to carry in the pocket without printing while walking, but sitting on the can the fabric is plenty loose enough to accomodate the gun while just sitting.

Sevesteen said...

Like Robert, I keep my gun holstered when I drop my pants. It has only been a minor issue when I carried in a cheap JIT slide with a cheap and flimsy belt--I had to fold the tongue of the belt around and keep a wide stance (although not so wide that I risked a footsie accusation from the next stall...).

With a mid-grade Galco or Wilderness 5 stitch gunbelt, OR a mid-grade (Crossbreed or MTAC) holster it is much easier, with both it is a complete non-issue. Even with the cheap gear, I learned to adapt. I don't want to handle a loaded gun more than necessary without a good backstop, and I certainly don't want to leave one behind.