Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

Anti-terrorism officers'' rifles declared unsafe.

A rifle for ant-terrorist officers unveiled by the Metropolitan police last August has been recalled after it was discovered the weapon could be fired unintentionally.
Along with other users, police were instructed last month by the maker of the SIG Sauer MCX rifle to stop using it after the American company found a fault with potentially fatal consequences.
"SIG had found through extensive factory testing that in extremely rare instances, not reported in the field and extremely difficult to replicate, a condition may exist causing an unintended discharge,"
the company said.

"Failure to follow the loading procedures and basic rules of safe firearms handling out lined in the user's manual has the potential to cause serious bodily harm or death."
The company said it was conducting "a mandatory replacement of the cartridge assembly in SIG MCX rifles". The statement from the company added: "SIG had decided to upgrade all MCX models...we want to ensure the quality and reliability of all products we manufacturer. "Stop use of [the] firearm immediately."

Owners and police forces have to return the carriage assembly - which houses the firing pin - to the company's base in New Hampshire. It will issue a new assembly and details of how to install it. The rifles remain out of action while the upgrade takes place.

The weapons were put on public display by the Metropolitan commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, in August last year when he announced plans to expand the number of counterterrorism specialist firearms officers.

The heavily armed officers were dubbed "Robocops" and Hogan-Howe said their appearance would reassure the public that everything possible was being done to protect people from terrorist attacks.
The MCX rifles have been seen being carried by Met officers at public venues, including Wembley stadium.
Plans to increase the number of armed police in Britain came in the wake of the terrorist attack on Paris at the end of November 2015, in which 130 people were killed.
As well as armed response teams on regular patrol, Scotland Yard as specialist counterterrorism firearms squads on call 24 hours a day.

Yesterday, the Met confirmed it had used the MCX rifles: "Officers within the specialist firearms command do carry the MCX weapon and the Met is aware of the issue which SIG Sauer have outlined", the statement said.

The Met refused to reveal how many of the rifles were used by the police on the grounds that this would "give away our capacity".

There was no "operational issue" with the weapons used by the Met police, they added. However, the problem raises questions about the risk to both officers and the public from faulty firearms.
Although there is not suggestion that the rifles have discharged unintentionally in public, it is the second time that the reliability of weapons used by British police have come under scrutiny.

In April 2015, The Sunday Times revealed police chiefs had ordered a review of the G36 assault rifle used by counterterrorism officers after test found it did not shoot straight when it became hot.
The weapons reportedly failed to hit their targets when temperatures rose above 30C, in tests by the German army.

It also became unreliable when left in direct sunlight.

SIG SAUER MCX
Semi-automatic
Weight 6lb
Range up to 300 yards
Ammunition
30 rounds in magazine
Bullet speed
Both subsonic and supersonic.
More than 500,000 rounds fired
during 3½ year development process
Cost £1,400

29 January 2017

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

That's not good. SIG is a good company and their firearms are amongst the best in the world, I'm surprised.

Ol' Frank Loc: Orlando,

Is this another case of "low bidder" syndrome?

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

It sounds like Sig is trying to fix stupid or careless.
Since they didn't state the exact problem.

Thruxton Loc: Indiana / California

In the politically hamstrung world cops have to work in, it appears this SIG could be a useful tool. "Oops judge, I didn't mean to shoot the guy wearing the suicide vest who was getting on a school bus. It was a misfire. You know how those SIGs are."

Abo

The S&W M&P .40 can be fired unintentionally too.
A Victoria Police weapons instructor at the Glen Waverley police
academy shot himself in the thigh in front of a class of recruits
when he attempted to holster the gun.

Considering the IQ (lack there of) of the last 2 Victoria police, that pulled me
over, there is a distinct possibility that the instructors act was intentional;
possibly he was demonstrating to his class, what not to do.

May their friendly fire be accurate.

Don't get me wrong, imho an honest police officer is a hero.
Trouble is, according to supreme court judge and Royal commissioner,
the Hon. Don Stewart, corruption in the Victoria Police force is "wide spread and deep seated".

EdJ0307 Loc: out west someplace

I saw a news report just last night about "kit guns" that a person purchases on-line then has to assemble it themselves. It appears these "kit guns" do not require a background check of the buyer so any felon can legally buy them.

Oknoder Loc: Western North Dakota

This is factually incorrect. A felon may not purchase, own or even be in possession of a firearm, so under no circumstances is it possible for a convicted felon to legally purchase one. Even if for instance they somehow slipped through the cracks and passed a background check, it would not be a lawful sale.

Matthew

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

A convicted felon can't own firearms by law, but you point out how they can be gotten by anyone. And yet our Congress sees no need for any new gun controls. And they act "in the public interest"?

mikedent Loc: Florida

I believe any "kit gun" cannot be shipped to anyone with a functional receiver which is the serial-numbered part of the weapon. This must be handled through a licensed firearms dealer to include any needed background checks. If it includes a non-finished receiver, a person can legally machine it to be active, for his own use, within certain parameters of firearm type, ie no full-auto weapons etc. Convicted felons of course are committing another felony if they purchase or assemble such an item. Criminals don't want to take this trouble, they steal or buy from the streets. Re: Sig MCX- good weapon but may not offer any clear advantages over a standard AR-type rifle that has been with us over 50 years already. Lots of agencies like to buy the latest and "greatest" to show off to the public, but often offers no benefits to the officers.

Wenonah Loc: Winona, MN

What gun control law do you know of that would prevent a criminal from having a gun?

BamaTexan Loc: Deep in the heart of Texas

Please give us an example of "new gun controls" that would prevent a convicted felon from obtaining a gun.

BamaTexan Loc: Deep in the heart of Texas

Oops, I posted before reading your post Wenonah.

Wenonah Loc: Winona, MN

And still no reply.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

In response to the "Kit gun"
The only part of a gun that is considered a firearm is the completely finished lower receiver ( in the case of the AR15, AK47 , and now the Glock like hand guns.)
80% finished receivers are available and legal to purchase, there are strict laws covering the finishing and ownership of the same.
However who said that criminals give a shit about laws?
They will steal before they would go thru the expense and labor to build a "Ghost Gun" they don't care if the gun is traced or not.