Because of a malfunction, Border Patrol officials have removed a weapon that many agents say is critical for their safety.
Now, Border Patrol agents are upset over the move, saying that they need their Colt M4 carbine rifles back.
Agents who are familiar with carrying the precision rifle could be put in a dangerous situation, said Shawn Moran, vice president of the National Border Patrol Council.
“These are weapons and tools that we use out in the field and the Border Patrol has said are our primary weapon,” Moran said. “And agents need to be able to have that longer distance firearm to defend themselves and to defend others if necessary.”
Moran said that because each agent is trained and can customize the weapon to his or her liking, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection needs to quickly fix the malfunctioning rifles and get them back to agents.
A spokesperson for San Diego Sector Border Patrol sent this statement to NBC 7:
“CBP is in the process of repairing or replacing the damaged M4 carbines. CBP is committed to ensuring its frontline agents have access to the equipment and service weapons they need to enforce the nation’s laws and protect themselves and others.”
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It’s unclear how many of these precision rifles in San Diego have malfunctioned.
