Coast Guard withdraws Great Lakes live fire plans

[rainbow4321]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/20061218-1400-greatlakesgunfire.html

The U.S. Coast Guard said Monday it was withdrawing plans to periodically close 2,500 square miles of the Great Lakes for live machine-gun firing exercises.

The plan had been criticized by several U.S. and Canadian mayors, business leaders and environmentalists who said it could be unsafe and disruptive. Environmentalists also said they worried about the consequences of lead ammunition being deposited in the Great Lakes.

“The Coast Guard appreciates the thoughtful comments we received and we will work with the public to ensure the Coast Guard can meet any threat to public safety or security,” said Rear Adm. John E. Crowley Jr., commander of the Ninth Coast Guard District in Cleveland.

During several public hearings in the region, Coast Guard officials said the training exercises were vital to its homeland security and law enforcement missions. The plan called for crews to shoot at floating targets with M240-B automatic rifles aboard cutters, rescue boats and other vessels.

[NJCher]

1. are they freaking nuts?

For even thinking of this in the first place? What the hell is the matter with these people?

Yes, of course, I'm glad they backed off but what the hell kind of country is it when this kind of backassward stupid plan even comes up in the first place?

:grr:

This militaristic sh2#$# has got to go.

:grr: :grr: :grr:



Cher

[rainbow4321]

4. You know it would just have been a matter of time

Before someone was killed with the real ammo that they planned on using...possibly even a civilian in the wrong place at the wrong time.

They need to release the name of the person higher up who even THOUGHT about OKing this idea and have them hang out in the middle of the drill---live ammo whizzing by his/her head.

[Vidar]

2. Glad they backed down The Coast Guard is better than this.

[JNelson6563]

3. And Michigan breathed a sigh of relief!

I was horrified they considerd doing this!

Julie