[xzins]

I agree that this Marine screwed up big time. There is no deployment where it isn’t absolutely clear that no contraband of any kind, and great emphasis is placed on any kind of weapons, is permitted to be taken from country.

There is no doubt left in anyone’s mind. This Marine deserves to be punished for disobeying this order just as much as with any other order.

That said, let’s talk about the punishment. America’s fairness under the law is seriously lacking. There are people getting one year for murder...I posted such a link a few weeks back...and here’s a screw up that could get 10 years.

There is no way that that processes. The first is a mistake and the 2nd was a cold-blooded hiring someone to kill his wife. Is that finding an extreme case? Sure it is, but I could find lesser things: rape, armed robbery, kidnapping, etc. Aren’t all those worse than admiring a weapon and breaking rules to bring it home?

I think so. My gut says dismissal from service in disgrace is sufficient punishment. Add six months hard time or something like that, if necessary, because I think flagrant disobedience to an absolutely clear, reasonable order must be punished.

There’s no way, though, that it rises to the level of those other crimes mentioned.

[Girlene]

Agreed, xzins. It should have been left up to the military for his punishment.....instead. NCIS just couldn’t stop and carried this over to a federal court. 10 years? Good grief.

[jazusamo]

Thank you both for the pings.

I have to agree that NCIS going after this Marine in a federal court is a bit much, his discharge and some kind of punishment should have been plenty.

Had he brought it home and committed a crime with the weapon it would be different but it seems it was a war souvenir. As was mentioned up thread it was a common practice in earlier wars and not always legal. A friend of my Dad, a Marine, brought an M2 Carbine (full auto) back from WWII from the So Pacific and an uncle shipped 8mm Mausers to his four brothers from Germany at the end of the war.

It will not be justice in my view if this Marine is sentenced to a federal prison for this.