Great Guns! Stray arms at Baghdad embassy
Associated Press - July 11, 2008 5:33 AM ET
WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. Embassy workers stationed in Iraq's Green Zone are being reminded about the embassy's gun rules.
An unclassified memo obtained by The Associated Press says "Weapons are continuing to be left unattended throughout the embassy compound." It warns that improper weapon handling has "legal and political implications."
The rules say people with permission to carry guns must keep them within their reach at all times or with a person assigned to keep them. The rules apply even at the Green Zone's swimming pool, where someone has to be designated "gear guard."
And the rules specify that no weapon can be carried if the staffer is drinking alcohol.
Those whose guns may be confiscated by a security officer need to bring a note from a supervisor certifying that they've been "counseled on proper weapons retention."
