Dozens Of US Marshal Guns Lost Or Stolen Since '07
FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- A newspaper's investigation reveals that at least 41 guns have been lost or stolen from deputy U.S. marshals' vehicles and homes since 2007.
The Frederick News-Post reports that 29 weapons were reported stolen and 12 reported lost from 2007 through 2012. Another was reported simply as missing after a vehicle break-in.
U.S. Marshals Service spokesman Dave Oney says it's a problem whenever a law enforcement officer's weapon is lost or stolen. He says the agency has policies to guard against such incidents but "as you know, things do happen."
Deputies in at least two cases apparently ignored a policy requiring them to secure guns in vaults or locking rifle racks in unattended vehicles. One stolen gun was in a briefcase; another was in a backpack.
(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
