O.C. Sheriff's deputy loses AR-15 rifle after placing case on trunk, driving away in Aliso Viejo

OC Register ^ | 1/27/2016 | Alyssa Duranty

[chrisinoc]

Not a good past few days for the OC Sheriff's department. First three jail inmates went missing, now an AR-15.

[txnativegop]

There is no excuse for this. This deputy’s career should be over. IMO

[US_MilitaryRules]

30 round magazines? WTF jerri browneye!

[Red Badger]

Is his name “Barney” by any chance?...........

[Telepathic Intruder]

There’s a rouge gun on the loose!

[Nailbiter]

the deputy keeps his job, but if some schmuck citizen finds it does not turn in to po-po they could lose their freedom and possibly go to jail.

Since we the citizens payed for the damn rifle- make the deputy pay for losing it

[doorgunner69]

Only cops should be allowed to have guns! /s

[P-Marlowe]

Wouldn’t it be ironic if some enterprising soul turned the gun in at a police (no questions asked) buy back.

They would be obliged to pay $50-$100 for their own gun and then per the terms of the buy back, they would be forced to destroy it.

[immadashell]

The Sheriff’s Department would not comment on whether the deputy was placed on leave or was suspended from his duties following the loss.

If the Department would not comment the obvious answer is no and he probably won't have to cover the cost of the search.

[txnativegop]

I wonder if the rifle was selective-fire?

If so, that is a federal charge, is it not?

At the very least the deputy should pay for the rifle.

[Axenolith]

Probably. CHP had several of them stolen from cars in Martinez right around the peak of the financial crisis. IIRC, there were some thoughts that had inside connections.

[ThunderSleeps]

That’s what I’m wondering. I’d guess there’s probably an 80% chance it is select fire. I’d put the odds at 100% they are trying to keep that bit of information of the public stage.

[txnativegop]

If it was selective-fire, this deputy needs to take an involuntary vacation in a federal prison.

[Smokin' Joe]

Holy Chit! Homies! The treasure hunt is on!

[tumblindice]

LEO’s can get exemptions from BATF interest in their full automatic M-16/AR-15s because they are (ahem) more responsible than us Clem Kaddidlehoppers.
I have been handling firearms since I was 12, over 40 years, and cannot recall a single negligent discharge or ever misplacing (losing) a firearm.
This is an example of what drives us “civilians” ape**** crazy.
(Keep in mind that if the LEO isn’t subject to the UCMJ, he’s a civilian too.)

[umgud]

So there is an assault weapon on the loose?

[ModelBreaker]

Odd kind of road kill.

[21twelve]

It was. I imagine it is safe and sound under somebody’s bed by now.

[Dagnabitt]

I work in nearby. I’ll keep an eye out for an AR-15 laying around.

[Zack Attack]

Is his name "Barney" by any chance?...........

Obviously not as everyone knows Barney only gets 1 bullet and has to keep it in his shirt pocket.