The Louisiana National Guard confirmed Monday that one of its soldiers left a service rifle in a Bourbon Street bathroom while on patrol in the New Orleans French Quarter.
About 350 National Guard soldiers are currently on patrol in the Quarter as an extra layer of protection, supporting local law enforcement.
On Sunday night, one guardsman went into the Lafitte Hotel on Bourbon Street to use the bathroom. A picture posted on social media shows what he left behind: his service rifle, leaning against the sink.
French Quarter residents who saw the post were troubled by what could have happened.
“I kind of feel bad for him because that’s one of the main rules of being in the Army I would think is you’re always supposed to have your weapon in your hands and not in somebody else’s,” said Nervous Dwayne, a French Quarter performer.
The incident is particularly concerning given last year’s Bourbon Street terror attack is still fresh on people’s minds.
“Anybody who figured that they wanted to be a hero or do another attack on the French Quarter, it could have been bad,” said Benji, a French Quarter worker.
A National Guard spokeswoman confirmed the incident.
Lt. Col. Noel Collins said, “The weapon was returned to the Louisiana National Guard, and the soldier and incident are being handled internally.”
It happens every once in a while, to police and military alike. The difference with the military is that they’ll tear this guy a new one.
The National Guard is a part time job, one weekend per month and two weeks per year. Unless you get called by your governor, that is, to patrol the streets of New Orleans indefinitely with no end goal. Also, no one around you wants you there. Not a surprise that a mistake like this would happen under these circumstances.
Also, going to the bathroom in the French Quarter can be an ordeal for anyone, honestly
Rank and extra time. Sucks to be him but that’s something we are drilled into our thick skulls to check your self for all items.
When I got back from Iraq I was always on edge for like a month cause id realize I didn’t have it and freak out for a sec.
So want to take bets on how high the shit storm starts, and how far it rolls down hill?