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National Guardsmen lose rifle to woman at butterfly sanctuary
A Texas citizen found and took possession of a loaded M4 left unattended in a truck being used by National Guardsmen on a mission at the US-Mexico border.
Marianna Treviño Wright, executive director of the National Butterfly Center, found the rifle when she approached five military vehicles in front of the 100-acre nature preserve near the southern border of Texas. One of the vehicles occupied by National Guardsmen drove off as she approached.
Treviño Wright then noticed that another truck which was unoccupied was still running. In the front seat, was the unattended, loaded M4 with optic.
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NOTE: The #Texas guard charged with "upholding & enforcing the law" won't even wear their seatbelts; rather the driver had it fastened behind him so he didn't have to be annoyed by the ding-ding-ding of the pesky alarm to #BuckleUp Also, he left his gun in an unlocked truck. #OLS pic.twitter.com/UyaqVIhnq3— Marianna Wright (@mtwrighter) June 27, 2022
The Texas woman then confiscated the rifle so that it could not fall into the hands of an ill-intended citizen. She then called authorities at the Border Patrol office immediately. Border Patrol and Texas National Guardsmen returned to the butterfly preserve approximately 45 minutes later and secured their lost rifle.
Treviño Wright reported that she’s had multiple issues with the Texas National Gurad, including trespassing on her property, Soldiers crashing a vehicle into the gates of a nature preserve, and other incidents.
Treviño Wrigh said, “I think it’s irresponsible, reckless and a danger to public safety if that’s the way the National Guard is doing things. If they cannot secure their weapons, how are they supposed to secure the border?”
The Texas National Guard is yet to issue a statement about why the rifle was left unattended, whether or not the National Guardsmen responsible for the rifle faces disciplinary action, or why the rifle was in a non-tactical vehicle (NTV).
Losing a rifle is one of the worst offenses possible in the military. Famously in 2020, 3/6 Marines on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina left two rifles unattended, on base and they were stolen. The issue made national headlines and leaders were relived over it.
Treviño Wright pointed out, “Let’s say the Guard or Border Patrol were trying to apprehend someone, who got past them and got to that vehicle with the weapon. Anyone could have grabbed it, multiple people went by on bicycles and were jogging.”
