By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Recent internal documents reveal three instances where federal immigration agents accidentally shot themselves in the leg during routine firearms training within a two-day period last year. An additional incident involved an accidental taser discharge at an ICE office, with no fatalities reported in any of these cases. These events, occurring during the agency’s rapid expansion and before recent funding increases, raise questions about maintaining rigorous training and oversight amidst workforce growth. While former officials suggest accidental discharges are not uncommon and often involve experienced agents, experts note that rapid expansion necessitates addressing stress and decision-making under pressure to mitigate increased risks.
Read the original article here
It appears there’s a concerning trend emerging: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are reportedly finding themselves in situations where they are accidentally discharging their firearms, even shooting themselves. This isn’t a situation that should be brushed aside as a mere “oops” moment. Instead, it strongly suggests a deeper, more systemic issue within the agency, likely concerning training and safety protocols, or a profound lack of them. When individuals entrusted with lethal force are consistently demonstrating an inability to safely handle their weapons, it raises serious questions about who is being hired and how they are being prepared for their duties.
The notion that federal agents are repeatedly shooting themselves, and that this is being discussed with a degree of flippancy or as a punchline, points towards a significant problem. Public safety and accountability are paramount for any law enforcement agency, be it ICE, local police, or any other body that carries a badge. To have agents who are allegedly trigger-happy, paranoid, or otherwise ill-equipped handling firearms is inherently dangerous. This situation can often be traced back to the pressure to meet hiring quotas, which may lead to a lowering of standards for new recruits.
Many observers, even those with extensive personal experience handling firearms safely through hunting or recreational shooting, express disbelief at these incidents. They point out that with thousands of hours of weapons handling, they’ve never encountered a misfire or witnessed one. This suggests that these are not simply random accidents but rather the result of someone making a critical error. The fundamental principles of firearm safety, often taught even at a young age, seem to be disregarded. It’s not as though a gun can load itself, pick itself up, or fire on its own. These are what are more accurately termed negligent discharges, and the responsibility for them rests squarely on someone’s shoulders, whether it’s the operator, the firearm itself, or those in charge of the training program.
There’s a perception that the visual evidence sometimes seen in videos of ICE operations, with agents holding their weapons in a manner reminiscent of exaggerated portrayals in media, might be indicative of a broader issue with preparedness and professionalism. This visual cue, combined with reports of accidental discharges, leads to a lack of surprise when these incidents occur. The silver lining, however grim, is that if agents are accidentally shooting themselves, it might be preferable to them accidentally shooting innocent civilians.
The required training for ICE agents, particularly for those involved in immigration crackdowns, is reportedly extensive, often spanning nearly a year with rigorous firearms qualifications. The fact that these accidental shootings are occurring suggests that a significant portion of those hired may not be adequately progressing through or even participating in this essential training. There’s a strong suspicion that the current administration may have bypassed or significantly altered these required programs, leading directly to these unsafe practices.
One has to wonder about the motivations behind these incidents. While not condoning any unsafe behavior, some speculate that these accidental shootings might be a desperate attempt by some agents to exit a job they find increasingly untenable or unpleasant. The demanding and often stressful nature of the work, coupled with the challenging enforcement environment, could be leading some to seek a way out, even if it means resorting to such drastic and dangerous measures. The idea of “surrender or swing,” or “fail or flail,” encapsulates a feeling of being trapped, and the possibility of betrayal for personal gain, like trading information for leniency, is a scenario some suggest might be considered.
The profile of some agents, described as “obese, camo, masked, untrained Rambo wannabes,” who are allegedly lacking in education but possess a desire for power, raises significant concerns. This perception, whether entirely accurate or an exaggeration, fuels the idea that these individuals are ill-suited for law enforcement roles. The contrast with previous, more stringent recruitment standards, which included physical fitness tests, academic requirements, and a clean record, highlights a perceived decline in the quality of recruits. Anecdotes of recruiters struggling to find candidates who can even identify basic colors suggest a troubling dip in the applicant pool.
The hope is that this trend of self-inflicted accidents within ICE continues to expand. Some believe that poor training is only part of the problem, pointing to disturbing reports of agents being intoxicated on the job. Accounts from DHS agents themselves have allegedly confirmed that intoxication is a concern, with older agents reportedly complaining about newer hires. This points not just to a training deficit but a complete erosion of professionalism, lawfulness, and accountability within the agency’s culture, a situation that some believe has always been problematic but has significantly worsened.
On a different note, some observers view these accidental shootings as a sign that ICE agents are finally targeting the “right people,” implying a shift in focus or a form of self-correction. For some, this is the “best news” they’ve heard in a while, viewing it as a positive development. The description of these agents as “paramilitary thugs recruited from the bottom of the intelligence and talent barrels,” who are seemingly unprepared for their roles, leads to the expectation of such mishaps. The idea that they perceive hospitals as “respawn points” adds a darkly humorous, albeit critical, dimension to this perspective.
The recruitment from less desirable demographics, focusing on those who allegedly desire to bully rather than to uphold the law, combined with a lack of developed firearm discipline, is seen as a direct cause of these accidents. The sentiment that “if we had more people like that we’d have fewer people like that” is a stark expression of this concern. While some may view these occurrences with detached amusement, such as “Oh no… anyways” or “That’s a shame. (Eats popcorn),” the underlying issue remains one of significant concern for public safety and the integrity of law enforcement.
The comparison to individuals attempting to evade military service during draft periods is drawn by some, suggesting a similar pattern of seeking escape through potentially dangerous means. The advice to stop hiring unqualified individuals, perhaps referred to as “Cheddar Bob” in a derogatory manner, underscores the perceived low caliber of some recruits. The question of whether these agents are a collection of “rednecks sharing half a brain cell” reflects a harsh judgment on their perceived intelligence and competence. The phrase “It’s almost like they’re not sending their best” is a pointed critique of the recruitment process.
The question of whether these incidents are accidental or intentional makes little difference to some, indicating a deep distrust of the agency. Some have noted a specific incident where an ICE agent shot a woman while another agent was in the line of fire, raising questions about their situational awareness and target identification. The assertion that these agents are not adequately trained, even less so than basic police academies, the armed forces, or even mall security, paints them as mere “hired goons.”
There’s a cynical view that ICE is composed of individuals who are more interested in “cosplay” and adopting a certain image than performing their duties competently. For some, these accidental shootings are genuinely positive news. The derogatory term “Gestapxico Burress ass bums” reflects an extreme level of contempt. The claim that these are “experienced agents” rather than new hires is met with skepticism, as accidental discharges are generally more common among novice gun owners. The observation that experienced police officers rarely shoot themselves, while new gun owners do, highlights the unusual nature of these reported ICE incidents.
The assertion by former senior ICE officials that accidental discharges are not uncommon and often involve experienced agents, rather than just new hires, is particularly striking. This directly contradicts the expectation that seasoned professionals would be more adept at firearm safety. While some law enforcement experiences with specific firearms, like the Sig P320, are known to have had discharge issues, the context of a discharge while holstering, or when the weapon is moved without the trigger being touched, suggests more than just a faulty weapon. It points towards potential issues with trigger discipline, even among experienced officers, especially if they are still using specific models like the P320, which is reportedly carried by ICE.
The personal experience of growing up around firearms, or serving in the military, without witnessing or hearing of accidental discharges, further amplifies the concern over the frequency of these incidents within ICE. While acknowledging that mistakes happen, the sheer volume of reported accidental discharges is alarming. The concern is amplified when these incidents occur without any harm to individuals. The repeated claims about “experienced agents” being involved in these accidental discharges are a focal point, prompting questions about what distinguishes these agents from other law enforcement or military personnel, and why this issue seems unique to them.
The suggestion of using safety mechanisms, like the Israeli defense carry method where a round is in the chamber but the slide isn’t racked, is proposed as a potential solution to prevent negligent discharges. Ultimately, the repeated reports of ICE agents accidentally shooting themselves, regardless of the specific circumstances or the individuals involved, point to a critical failure in training, supervision, and accountability within the agency. This is a matter that warrants serious attention and investigation to ensure the safety of both the agents and the public.