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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This guy accidentally killed a friend. I am sure the mental anguish that he is going through every day is more of a punishment than a harsher prison sentence would have been. Two years in prison and a dishonorable discharge is sufficient.
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How hard is it to clear your weapon into a sand barrel or to mind your muzzle direction? I like to think our Marines are smarter than that. Using the buddy system isn't a bad idea, either.
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I think it shows that not every Marine is a rifleman. 0311s are rifleman. Every Marine knows how to shoot a gun, but clearly not operate it safely.
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There were several proceedures the Marine didn't follow which led to a negligent discharge. It wasn't a lack of training or proceedures that caused this. It was a Marine who lacked the discipline to follow his training.
As far as I know there isnt a period of instruction called "Don't be an Idiot".
As far as I know there isnt a period of instruction called "Don't be an Idiot".
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CPT James Burkholder
I'm not a Marine so probably should keep my mouth shut, but the first thought that came to me when I read about it was "stupid is as stupid does".
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The Marine was taught from day one to keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you intend to shoot. We were all taught strict safety rules. I carried a pistol everyday no incidents, your never going to stop carelessness no matter how hard you try. I stood gate shifts I've been out there 12 hours many days sometimes getting bored and almost everyone I stood post with at one point or another played with or took their fire arm out of holster took pictures holding them. It is never going to change I'm sure most military members can say they were not completely 100% safe at all times with their weapon. It's tragic it happened, not sure anything can stop it. Still unsure how he tried to correct it by pulling the trigger.
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Wow, first let me say thanks for sharing, this is my first time I am hearing about this case. I think the punishment is just and based off the information provided here the Marine did take full responsibility for his actions.
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SFC Brian Ewing
Guns don't kill people, stupid people with guns kill people. Why crack down on guns when they in themselves are not the problem? We need to crack down on the individuals who own guns by ensuring that we have "mandatory" firearms training that teach us "When" the appropriate time is to pull the trigger and we should require standardized reinforcement training as routine safety precautions that are checked annually.
This type of training should be as routine as a requirement to get a Driver's License, it's funny that we don't even require people to have mandated training to own something as deadly as a gun but yet we require it for daily transportation.
We need to rethink our priorities.
This type of training should be as routine as a requirement to get a Driver's License, it's funny that we don't even require people to have mandated training to own something as deadly as a gun but yet we require it for daily transportation.
We need to rethink our priorities.
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There you go ... ban all firearms. lol
just like driving ... accident happen... personal mistake happen, complacency happen ...
just like driving ... accident happen... personal mistake happen, complacency happen ...
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The marine should've known better than to be messing around with the safety on that rifle. We are taught weapon safety for a good reason so "accidents" like that don't happen
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I think he should get a general discharge under other than honorable conditions. It was a stupid accident. We have a race-baiting Cmdr in Chief who submitted forged documents as evidence of his eligibility and has committed treason (by virtually EVERY definition), who somehow manages to compromise national security, gets our SEAL Team and Ambassador killed, and yet remains in office. By comparison, this guy isn't too bad. Am not minimizing what that kid had done, [we can never bring the dead back to life], but if he had been texting, got in a car wreck and killed somebody, would he get a dishonorable discharge for that?
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Cpl Conrad Rogers
Wow... really sir, I guess its Cmdr in Chief fault the US Navy had boats in enemy territory and was seized by the Iranian navy also? Some "Americans" will never accept the fact that this country is changing and regardless of how you or any other "non-racist" feel, suck it up and do right by your family. He will be out soon enough to be replaced by someone else who will fight with the real people in charge....Congress. But since trump ( little t= no respect) is the front runner and everyone else don't have a fighting chance vs Hillary or Bernie.....continue to hate, 8 more yrs of hearing the hate form you and people like you will be interesting to me....
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