Guns missing from Israeli prime minister’s security detail in U.S.
Luggage belonging to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security detail crisscrossed America until finally turning up, four handguns short, U.S. sources reported Wednesday. A spokesperson for Israel’s General Security Services told Reuters that the handguns were part of the equipment sent ahead of Netanyahu to Washington “and got lost.” The official added that Israeli and U.S. authorities were investigating.
Netanyahu’s bodyguards landed at JFK, where their luggage was rechecked to continue to Washington — including two suitcases containing seven handguns between them. But while the security guys continued on to Washington, their luggage went west, putting in an appearance at LAX before being sent back to Washington via Chicago, Reuters said. The bottom line is that four stops later, four guns — said to be Glocks — were declared missing-in-transit. The additional 3 pieces checked into the other of the two suitcases were recovered.
At what stage this happened isn’t quite clear. American Airlines handled the luggage at JFK and LAX, said reports quoting airline officials who said they were refraining from commenting publicly so as not to hamper a security-related situation.
Full Story Here:
ISRAEL: Guns missing from Israeli prime minister’s security detail in U.S.
This is right out of the *How dumb can it get?* files.
Any time a foreign dignitary travels they have their own support staff and security detail, that’s the way it goes. Our president has armed Secret Service agents when he travels, other nations extend that courtesy to us. We also extend the same courtesy to visiting heads of state. We KNOW that their security people will be carrying and transporting weapons. Rightfully so.
At this point in time I am going to refrain from any finger pointing, I only hope that these guns can be recovered and returned to the Israeli agents.
But I have to question this next paragraph.
Losing luggage can happen to anyone. Evidently, so can losing guns. In February, the Boston Globe reported that Homeland Security personnel had 289 of their weapons stolen from them between 2005 and 2008, or lost by miscellaneous negligence such as leaving them on car bumpers and at bowling alleys.
Homeland Security personnel had 289 weapon stolen? Or LOST? LOST due to negligence? You have got to wonder, what kind of ding-a-lings are they hiring at the DHS?
I have heard of these cases where an officer went to the bathroom and forgot to pick up his gun after doing his business. I never bought into it, I never believed it could really happen, but I have heard a lot of stories.
I have also heard a lot of stories about take home cars being broken into and weapons being stolen, along with various other police equipment. I never was too keen on that belief either. Why would an officer leave weapons in a car that is parked on a public street, in his driveway, or at some other unsecured location over night?
But airports are more security-sensitive than bowling places and concerns are deep enough without having to second-guess personnel entrusted with the safety of millions. U.S. airport security has been challenged repeatedly in recent years; questions were raised again after the attempt to bomb a Northwest flight on Christmas Day. Experts have suggested that U.S. airports adopt Israeli security models.
Again, I am NOT going to point fingers, there is far too much that is not known at this time, but, you would think that DHS and TSA could, and would, do a bit better job knowing that the guns were in the baggage. I am fairly certain that their presence was declared. That’s the way it works.
A regular Police Officer, Sheriffs Deputy, even State Police can’t just flash a badge, get on an airliner and go off into the wild blue yonder. They can check their weapons in their baggage, but even then the red tape is tremendous. A Federal Officer is the only one that can fly unimpeded with a weapon. A U.S. Marshal is one example, Homeland Security and many other federal agencies are included, but their presence, and the fact that they ARE armed is known to the TSA and the flight crew.
The main point of this story from me is this; the federal government and the anti-gun left are wanting the American gun owner, give up our guns because of the dangers we present (in their minds) to them and the public in general. Where does that danger level fall into place when our DHS and TSA can’t keep from losing or misplacing their weapons? I have never lost a weapon, misplaced one, or, thankfully, had one stolen.
Trained professionals? Indeed…
Government employees. No other words necessary.
I wonder why his part of his security detail would fly American Airlines instead of the most secure airline in the world, El Al?
Good point Fred on DHS and TSA. They knew these men were flying on this aircraft and that the weapons were in luggage. Matter-of-fact, they would have known which bags contained the weapons because it’s required to be declared. Something about this just smells fishy.
I think the reason our Homeland Security personnel lost so many weapons is because they’re not held accountable. If they had to reimburse the government full retail price for that weapon along with a demotion or dismissal, they would definitely know the whereabouts of that weapon at all times.
Simple, some baggage employee was told by a camera screener what was in the suitcase,, 4 handguns.
Working in “cahoots” with each other.
After all, the perps weren’t greedy, as they let 3 handguns go thru in one of the 2 suitcases tat was checked in.
Also, the 4 handguns stolen have already been delivered and are on the streets, probably with the “black panthers” somewhere in America.
Unlike the US President, the Prime Minister of Israel has to fly commercial (Saves Israeli taxpayers plenty.). It used to be easy for the PM to charter a flight for his use, but with the economy the way it is, it was easier (and cheaperto book on AA.
You have got to wonder, what kind of ding-a-lings are they hiring at the DHS?
The same idiots they hired over at the DOJ!
I’m not surprised one bit about the DHS part; it’s a political branch headed by a politician. The name is catchy yet misleading. As long as we have mediocre politicians in charge of our “security,” we’ll continue to see Three Stooges-like stories of negligence.
“I have also heard a lot of stories about take home cars being broken into and weapons being stolen, along with various other police equipment. I never was too keen on that belief either. Why would an officer leave weapons in a car that is parked on a public street, in his driveway, or at some other unsecured location over night?”
I know for a FACT that has happened with agencies in my area, including one of OUR SWAT units, who parked his CVPI in his driveway at night and came out to find a shitload of his SWAT gear missing, including an MP-5.
That DOES happen. They just get too cavalier with their equipment.
BTW, that guy lost his rank, his job in SWAT, had to repay for the costs and got unpaid days on the beach.
BZ