Posted on Oct 9, 2014
Does the Camp Lejeune death show we need to crack down on firearm safety?
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Yesterday, Marine Lance Cpl. Brandon Little was sentenced to two years behind bars for inadvertently shooting and killing a fellow Marine outside the Camp Lejeune main gate back in April. Little’s rank and pay were also reduced to E-1, and he will receive a dishonorable discharge.
Little said he had been absent-mindedly flicking the safety switch on his M4 service rifle from “safe” to “semi” while directing traffic at the end of a 12-hour shift. When he returned to the gate house he was about to unload his weapon, but didn’t check to make sure the safety was on. He pulled back the charging handle and accidentally chambered a round. When that happened, he stood up to try to correct it, but pulled the trigger in the process, shooting Lance Cpl. Mark Boterf who was in front of him.
The lead attorney for the government argued Little should get a five-year sentence with forfeiture of all pay and rank and a dishonorable discharge for violating all four of the Marines’ cardinal firearms safety rules. Would a tougher sentence have sent a more powerful message for all Marines and service members?
On the other hand, Little’s defense pointed out he had taken full responsibility for his actions and stressed he will endure a lifetime of guilt and torment for what happened. Since this is an isolated incident, should Little’s punishment be left at that?
This tragic case certainly brings attention to the importance of weapon safety and proper procedures. The Marine’s death was an accident, but it could have easily been prevented had Little not been messing around with his gun. Are some service members becoming too comfortable with carrying such powerful weapons that they forget safety measures?
What can be done to prevent these tragedies from happening? What are some mistakes you’ve seen fellow service members make with their firearms that go against proper safety measures?
Little said he had been absent-mindedly flicking the safety switch on his M4 service rifle from “safe” to “semi” while directing traffic at the end of a 12-hour shift. When he returned to the gate house he was about to unload his weapon, but didn’t check to make sure the safety was on. He pulled back the charging handle and accidentally chambered a round. When that happened, he stood up to try to correct it, but pulled the trigger in the process, shooting Lance Cpl. Mark Boterf who was in front of him.
The lead attorney for the government argued Little should get a five-year sentence with forfeiture of all pay and rank and a dishonorable discharge for violating all four of the Marines’ cardinal firearms safety rules. Would a tougher sentence have sent a more powerful message for all Marines and service members?
On the other hand, Little’s defense pointed out he had taken full responsibility for his actions and stressed he will endure a lifetime of guilt and torment for what happened. Since this is an isolated incident, should Little’s punishment be left at that?
This tragic case certainly brings attention to the importance of weapon safety and proper procedures. The Marine’s death was an accident, but it could have easily been prevented had Little not been messing around with his gun. Are some service members becoming too comfortable with carrying such powerful weapons that they forget safety measures?
What can be done to prevent these tragedies from happening? What are some mistakes you’ve seen fellow service members make with their firearms that go against proper safety measures?
Camp Lejeune
Marine Corps
Safety
Firearms and Guns
Command Post
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 76
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How in the world did this happen? First of all, don't play with the safety. Second, how did he chamber a round when attempting to clear the weapon? Did he not take the magazine out first? And just how does one "accidentally" pull the trigger of an M4? It's not exactly a hair-trigger, it takes a fair amount of pressure to actually fire a round. Did this Marine never once handle a weapon before that day?
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While this incident had the worst possible outcome, it's also a very rare and isolated situation. These kinds of negligent discharges are extremely rare outside of the clearing barrel scenario. The individual involved was punished, end of story. There are going to be some death by power point stand downs in everyone's future, but that's about all you can do.
I agree with some of the above who asked about supervision. The longer the shift, the greater the need for more supervision because the troops get bored and do stupid shit.
I agree with some of the above who asked about supervision. The longer the shift, the greater the need for more supervision because the troops get bored and do stupid shit.
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What about directing traffic for 12 hours? Whoever thought that was a good idea? Just sayin' there is ample blame to be had here.
I agree with the majority of other comments and won't repeat.
I agree with the majority of other comments and won't repeat.
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I'm assuming his chain of command was burned at the stake at well. I feel for this Marine and his family.
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The nature of the business we do in the military is inherently dangerous, there is always risk in what we do both in training and combat. That being said, some MOS are far more proficient than others for obvious reasons (training and time handeling weapons) but also because of MOS specific mentalities towards weapons in general, for example admin MOS mentality is no where near the same as infantry MOS mentality when it comes to weapons and weapon safety. We spend so much time on training during administrative stand downs some useful but many not so much. At the end of the day you only,have so many hours in a day and so,many days in a year and only so much funding, it comes down to your priorities, much of which are dictated to the military by politicians as a part of a grand social experiment and then wonder why mistakes happen. Cross training is a useful tool I used to send my radio operators to be cross trained in crew served weapons by machine gunners and mortarmen from weapons company and while they recieved non MOS training,on,various weapons systems and their employment the grunts got refreshed on how to operate a radio and trouble shoot. This isnt the norm however, most Marines go to the rifle range for 2 weeks a year and a few days for pistol range then the weapons are cleaned and pit away until next,years qualification, or CMP shoot. No,matter what training implement or how careful you are or how,much emphasis you put on weapons handeling or safety the human factor always applies and mistakes will be made but the training and attitude and mindset set by the command at all levels can mitigate that risk and minimize mistakes and the consequences.
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no some was not paying attention 4 wrong steps that I counted. but then I do not really know much about that weapon we had M14's and 1911's . but even under lock and loaded in Vietnam safety on finger not on the trigger . What is down range? when you point it are you going to kill it?
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There is no excuse for the lack of Firearms safety. But you hear about it happening all the time. Range Masters or firearms instructors over confident and at times careless causing firearm deaths, or shootings. I dought there is any excuse for these type of incidents . And I "am not making one here when , I say one accidental death is one to many. Lets think of Firearms use as an industry with a safety record . Will I would venture to s say no industry is accident free and firearms use when viewed as an industry has one of the best safety records, of any sport, hobby, or Carrier professorial use like LEO's ,and Military, Accidents should be highlighted and brought forward all the time to encourage us to always be mindful of are responsibilities as firearm owners and users. Some of us have fired Hundreds of thousands of rounds , and I pray none of us become complacent with firearm safety, or responsible for an accidental death or maying (SP) . Just " MY TWO CENTS WORTH ON THIS TOPIC"
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He was trained in the proper handling of his weapon and that's as if it's loaded at all times. Muzzle control, never point it at anything you don't want to shoot. Clear the weapon properly. I feel sorry for him but look what the family of Lance Corporal Boterf lost in this careless act.
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