Holsters and the Department of Homeland Stupidity

[Photo of a Don Hume "Duty Holster." I have no idea if this is the DHS holster.]

It really isn't that hard to find holsters that fit a particular pistol and do not cause people to shoot themselves in the foot.

Unless, of course, you're the U.S. Department of Homeland Stupidity.


Pilots flying our airplanes are now allowed to carry a weapon. Could be a good thing. Sometimes maybe not. Depends, it seems, at least in part, on the holster. On March 22, the pilot of a USAirways flight accidentally discharged his .40 caliber pistol. The bullet went through the cockpit wall and fuselage but no one was hurt. The pilot was fired.

Now, however, the inspector general of the DHS says that the design of holsters used by pilots increases the possibility a weapon may go off accidentally. "We examined the holster and observed that its design renders the weapon vulnerable to accidental discharge if improperly handled."


Well, now. Any holster is going to "render [a] weapon vulnerable to accidental discharge if improperly handled."

It appears that the Department of Homeland Stupidity realizes that the holster they bought for pilots is defective but they are still trying to cover their collective ass.

So DHS is looking at "new holster systems that meet program safety, security and tactical accessibility."


What's really scary is that these are the very people who are supposed to ensure the safety and security of the people of the United States.

Holy crap!