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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 25-028 - Privately Owned Weapons Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

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

A Master Sergeant assigned to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, died in a privately owned weapons (POW) mishap in Pinehurst, North Carolina, at 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

 

 

PLR 25-027 - Privately Owned Weapons Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

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

A 27-year-old Sergeant assigned to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, died in a Privately Owned Weapons (POW) mishap on the installation at local. The Soldier was driving his personal vehicle when a hunter fired at a deer across the road. The round passed through the driver’s side door, striking the Soldier.

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

 

 

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.

 

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