Marines asked to place weapons outside then return unarmed.

[Scott Notaeh]

Marines and other troops among the 200 people gathered in a tent at Camp Leatherneck to hear Mr. Panetta speak were abruptly asked by their commander to get up, place their weapons — M-16 and M-4 automatic rifles and 9-mm pistols — outside the tent and then return unarmed. The commander, Sgt. Maj. Brandon Hall, told reporters he was acting on orders from superiors.

“All I know is, I was told to get the weapons out,” he said. Asked why, he replied, “Somebody got itchy, that’s all I’ve got to say. Somebody got itchy; we just adjust.”

Normally, American forces in Afghanistan keep their weapons with them when the defense secretary visits and speaks to them.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/15/world ... ml?_r=1&hp

[justaguy]

Sad.

[mmcnx2]

If the Sec of Def gets itchy near guys with loaded weapons, maybe just maybe he has the wrong job.

[cobb]

This demonstrates how the politicians are afraid of the people that they are suppose to represent or even protect.
Very scary and I am not talking about the perceived safety for these government politicians or agencies.

[Squib Joe]

This demonstrates how the politicians are afraid of the people that they are suppose to represent or even protect.
Very scary and I am not talking about the perceived safety for these government politicians or agencies.

Not surprising after what happened to Anwar Sadat, but still I'd be offended if I were one of those soldiers

[Annwn]

M-16 and M-4 automatic rifles

Awwww, they got automatic rifles? For some reason I remember my M-16 being three round burst. Then again, automatic does sound so much scarier.

And to instill more fear, here is a picture of an automatic transmission:


Automatic coffeemaker:


And finally, someone firing an automatic garage door opener. Notice the grip, a sure sign of dangerous behavior:

[infidel]

Automatic transmissions scare me.

[Heffay]

3 round burst is technically automatic, isn't it?

[bulletproof]

A U.S. defense official said the request was not a reaction to an immediate threat. Speaking on condition of anonymity to describe security procedures, the official said the base commander made the decision that no one would be allowed to bring in weapons. The official said the decision was made out of respect for troops from other countries, such as the Afghans, who are never allowed to bring guns into an event. It was not a request from Panetta or his security team, the official said.

3 round burst is technically automatic, isn't it?

If it's isn't, let the ATF know so I can get started building some new select fire weapons!

[Heffay]

I'm sure it was a liberal base commander.

[TacticalGunny]

This demonstrates how the politicians are afraid of the people that they are suppose to represent or even protect.
Very scary and I am not talking about the perceived safety for these government politicians or agencies.