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Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

MEDIA Preliminary Loss Reports

About Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

PLRs are intended to be used as an engagement tool for leaders to discuss the hazards and trends impacting Soldier safety and readiness. A PLR contains only basic information, as the investigation is ongoing, but provides sufficient background to allow leaders an opportunity to communicate risk at the Soldier level.

 

PLR 24-064 – Privately Owned Weapons Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Privately Owned Weapons

A 21-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, died in a privately owned weapon (POW) mishap in Jacksonville, North Carolina, at local. It is suspected the Soldier was in bed or sleeping with a loaded weapon when the negligent discharge occurred while he was on leave. The Onslow County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) responded and transported the Soldier to the local naval medical center where he was pronounced dead by the attending physician. Alcohol is suspected to be involved. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for OCSO to release its final report.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of three Soldiers a year to POW mishaps. This tragedy was the second POW fatality of FY24.

Safety tip

Risks regarding POWs may be mitigated if you THINK weapons safety:

  • Treat every weapon as if it is loaded.
  • Handle every weapon with care, understand its operation.
  • Identify the target before you fire.
  • Never point the muzzle at anything you don't intend to shoot.
  • Keep the weapon on safe and your finger off the trigger until you intend to fire.

You should never carry or use any POW while under the influence of alcohol or any drug. Weapons, alcohol and drugs don't mix. Alcohol and drugs can negatively affect judgment as well as physical coordination. Alcohol and any other substance likely to impair normal mental or physical functions should not be used before or while handling guns.

Avoid handling and using your weapon when you are taking medications that cause drowsiness or include a warning not to operate machinery while taking this drug. Don't sleep with a loaded firearm in your bedroom if you have been drinking, are under the influence of drugs or certain medications, sleepwalking, have nightmares, sleep restlessly or have other sleep problems.

Ensure to complete safety training prior to purchasing a POW or carrying an open or concealed weapon in public. Training ensures that weapon owners are educated on responsible practices for handling and using firearms, storing them securely at home and in vehicles, and carrying guns in public.

Weapon owners can make their homes and communities safer by securely storing firearms. This means storing them unloaded, locked and separate from ammunition. Secure storage practices are vital in reducing the risk of POW mishaps. Handling and storing firearms securely prevent unintentional dischargers and shootings.

For more information on authorized use, safe handling and storage of personally-owned weapons — along with clarification for commanders regarding the requirements and limitation on POW registration — visit https://safety.army.mil/OFF-DUTY/Privately-Owned-Weapons.

 

 

PLR 24-053 - Privately Owned Weapons Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Privately Owned Weapons

A 24-year-old First Lieutenant assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, died in a privately owned weapons (POW) mishap in El Paso, Texas, at local. The Soldier was drinking at a friend’s house when he accidentally shot himself in the right cheek with his friend’s pistol. He was transported to the local hospital and pronounced dead upon arrival.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of three Soldiers a year to POW mishaps. This tragedy was the first POW fatality of FY24.

Safety tip

  1. Treat every weapon as if it were loaded.
    This is the most important of all the safety rules. By treating all weapons as though they were loaded, mishaps can be avoided. “I didn’t know the gun was loaded” is the poorest excuse for carelessness.
  2. Don’t trust the safety mechanisms.
    Although these devices are designed to mechanically prevent a weapon from firing, they are mechanical and subject to wear. Always keep the safety “ON” when not shooting, but remember it is not a 100 percent guarantee against the weapon firing.
  3. Always make sure a weapon is cleared before handling or cleaning.
    Because it is impossible to determine whether a weapon is loaded just by looking at it, never assume or take another’s word that it is empty - MAKE SURE! It only takes a second to check, and the time spent may save a life. Whenever you pick up a firearm, immediately engage the safety device if possible, and if the weapon has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking into the chamber(s), which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the firearm alone and get help from someone who does.
  4. Unload weapons when not in use.
    Unloaded weapons cannot discharge even if they fall into unfamiliar hands.
  5. Always keep the weapon pointed in a safe direction.
    A safe direction means that the firearm is pointed so that even if it were to go off it would not cause injury or damage. The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times. When this practice is conscientiously followed, injuries, damage, or even death may be avoided should you accidentally discharge the weapon.
  6. Point weapons only at targets you intend to shoot.
    Never point a gun at yourself or another person. Insist that others abide by this rule.
  7. Avoid horseplay.
    Firearms are deadly and must be treated with the respect they deserve. They are not toys and should not be treated as if they were.
  8. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
    When holding a firearm, rest your finger on the trigger guard until you are actually ready to fire.
  9. Be sure the firearm is safe to operate.
    Just like other tools, firearms need regular maintenance to remain operable. If there is any question concerning a firearm's ability to function, a knowledgeable gunsmith should look at it.
  10. Know how to use the firearm safely.
    Before handling a firearm, learn how it operates. Get training and read the owner’s manual. Know its basic parts, how to safely open and close the action, and remove any ammunition from the firearm or magazine. Remember, a firearm’s mechanical safety device is never foolproof. Nothing can ever replace safe weapons handling.

The USACRC website contains numerous resources to address privately owned weapons safety:

Off-Duty Safety Awareness Presentation: https://safety.army.mil/odsap

Safety Shorts: https://safety.army.mil/MEDIA/Safety-Shorts/Off-Duty/emodule/9365/eitem/14320

Alcohol and Weapons Don’t Mix poster: https://safety.army.mil/API/Evotiva-UserFiles/FileActionsServices/DownloadFile?ItemId=92317&ModuleId=9270&TabId=1236

For more information: https://safety.army.mil/OFF-DUTY/Privately-Owned-Weapons

 

 

PLR 23-001 – Privately Owned Weapons Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Privately Owned Weapons
A Private First Class assigned to Fort Stewart, Georgia, died in a privately owned weapons (POW) mishap 6 October 2022 on the installation at 1930 local. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including the involvement of alcohol or drugs, are currently unknown. The Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is investigating the mishap. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for CID to release its final report.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of three Soldiers a year to POW mishaps. This tragedy was the first POW fatality of FY23.
 

 

 

PLR 22-027 - Weapons/Explosives Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Privately Owned Weapons
A 23-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Hood, Texas, died in a weapons/explosives mishap 10 March 2022 at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, at 0930 local. During an M109A7 calibration firing event, the Soldier attempted to align the breech while the primer was in the breech block. When the system fired, he was struck by the recoiling breech and sustained a significant head injury. The Soldier was treated immediately by the medics and transported to the local hospital. While en route, he stopped breathing. The ambulance crew attempted to resuscitate him but were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead.

Since 2017, the Army has lost an average of three Soldiers a year to on-duty weapons/explosives mishaps. The last on-duty weapons/explosives fatality occurred in 2019. This mishap is the first on-duty weapons/explosives fatality of FY22.


Safety Tips:
• Follow all crew coordination drills when conducting live-fire.
• Stand clear of all recoiling parts to avoid injury. Failure to comply may result in death or severe injury to personnel and damage to equipment.
• Ignition of the propelling charge with the breechblock assembly not fully closed presents a critical hazard to the crew. Never insert primer in the primer cavity unless the breechblock assembly is closed and witness marks are aligned. Failure to comply may result in death or severe injury to personnel and damage to equipment.
• Witness marks must be aligned when the breechblock is closed. If witness marks are not aligned, the breechblock may be out of time and need replacement/services.

 

PLR 21-065 – Privately Owned Weapons Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Privately Owned Weapons
A Private First Class assigned to Fort Stewart, Georgia, died in a privately owned weapons (POW) mishap 9 May 2021 in Savannah, Georgia, at 0159 local. The Soldier was reportedly seen by others in the barracks playing with and loading his POW after consuming alcohol. While en route to get food with another Soldier, he unintentionally discharged the weapon and was struck by a round. The Soldier driving called 911, and emergency medical services personnel arrived and pronounced the wounded Soldier dead at the scene. The Criminal Investigation Division initial report states the gunshot was not intentional, and the incident remains under investigation.

Since FY16, the Army has lost an average of four Soldiers a year to POW mishaps. This tragedy was the fourth POW fatality of FY21.


In addition to never mixing alcohol with firearms, you can manage your risk with POWs if you always THINK weapons safety!

Treat every weapon as if it is loaded.
Handle every weapon with care.
Identify the target before you fire.
Never point the muzzle at anything you don’t intend to shoot.
Keep the weapon on safe and your finger off the trigger until you intend to fire.

The USACRC website contains numerous resources to address POW safety:
https://safety.army.mil/OFF-DUTY/Privately-Owned-Weapons

 

 
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