A Master Sergeant assigned to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, died in a privately owned weapons (POW) mishap 3 January 2025 in Pinehurst, North Carolina, at 2000 local. The deceased Soldier’s spouse was cleaning his weapon when it discharged. The round passed through a wall in their family home striking the Soldier.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of two Soldiers a year to POW mishaps. This mishap was the fourth POW fatality of FY25 and above the number of POW fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip

When cleaning your weapons:

Verify that the weapon is unloaded - remove any detachable magazines, empty the chamber and remove any ammunition from the area.

Read and follow your owner’s manual - even if you think you “know what you’re doing” make sure you fully read and follow the manual for that particular firearm. Every design has its own quirks and nuances around safety operation and disassembly. It’s your responsibility to know your firearm!

Avoid distractions - Pay full attention to what you’re doing, and don’t clean or perform other maintenance on your firearm while watching TV or doing anything else that can take your mind away from the task at hand.

Maintain muzzle awareness - treat every weapon as if it is loaded and always keep it pointed in a safe direction.

Never consume alcohol or drugs before or while handling a weapon – alcohol along with some over the counter or prescriptions drugs can impair normal mental and physical functioning.

For more information on privately owned weapons safety go to: https://safety.army.mil/OFF-DUTY/Privately-Owned-Weapons