Soldiers should not keep rifles at home

Editor, Refer to the article, “Soldier in public shooting spree gets life jail term” (The New Times, October 7). If the soldier was not on duty, then how did he have access to his weapon? Commanders must make sure that weapons are stored in the armory, not in soldiers’ homes. There are so many incidents where soldiers get drunk, get into fights with civilians, and when the soldier loses the fight, then he goes back to his barracks/home, grabs his loaded weapon, then comes back for revenge. It is always the innocent civilians who end up victim. So, here is my suggestion: The Ministry of Defence (Minadef) should issue an order that all commanders must make sure their soldiers turn in their weapons at the end of their tour of duty. When all weapons are 100 per cent accountable for, then the soldiers are released. A report must then be sent to Minadef detailing how many weapons were issued out, their serial numbers, time and date the weapons were issued out/turned in. This is an issue of indiscipline. My guess is that some soldiers are very idle. Mike

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Soldiers should not keep rifles at home