Tom_in_CA
Elite Member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2013
- Messages
- 20,748
Hey gang, a certain closed military base, in CA (that shall remain anonymous) has just issued an edict, that metal detectors are not allowed. Apparently, prior to this recent edict, it wasn't *specifically* disallowed. But the article that outlined it *did* say that the activity fell afoul of "alter and deface" and "remove", blah blah verbiage. And I have a sneaking suspicion of why they *now* need to make something specific (since, even they admitted they could have scrammed someone *already*, with existing verbiage).
But the reason for this post, is to bring up their rationale for their new official rule : "Unexploded ordnance". The cover story to the article, which talked about the new rule, said that the persons who were making this new rule, were concerned that someone using a "shovel or a pick" could "inadvertently strike a grenade or unexploded military ordnance and injure themselves".
What is odd, is that this base has been detected for DECADES. And ... no ... no one has "injured themselves".
In fact, humorously, one part of the base (that had been decommissioned) was an old artillery practice range. And ... there was fear years ago, that there "might be dangerous live rounds". So the govt. ponied up MILLIONS AND MILLIONS of dollars to clear out all the rounds (whether live, or spent), "lest someone get hurt". And I know the detector dealer who sold them the metal detectors. And the dealer asked one of the operators "How many live rounds have you actually found there ?" Turns out, that in all the years they'd been working thus far, they found something like a grand total of 3. That could be considered "live" (un-spent). And oddly, were found in a field that had also doubled as tank practice grounds. So that these heavy lumbering tanks, with the track-cleats that chew up and tear up the ground, had been also driving all over the place. Yet. No danger. None ever exploded, etc....
Ok, now, pray-tell, HOW IN THE NAME OF PETE is a guy with a metal detector going to injure himself on a live round , of any type ? We have found plenty of live rounds (soldiers who ditch entire clips, so they can tell the drill-sergeant that they're done with range-practice for the day, I suppose). And trust me; Even if you banged on them with a hammer, you'd be hard-pressed to get any reaction. Nor could there be "artillery shells" around barracks and locations that had nothing at all to do with artillery.
But the reason for this post, is to bring up their rationale for their new official rule : "Unexploded ordnance". The cover story to the article, which talked about the new rule, said that the persons who were making this new rule, were concerned that someone using a "shovel or a pick" could "inadvertently strike a grenade or unexploded military ordnance and injure themselves".
What is odd, is that this base has been detected for DECADES. And ... no ... no one has "injured themselves".
In fact, humorously, one part of the base (that had been decommissioned) was an old artillery practice range. And ... there was fear years ago, that there "might be dangerous live rounds". So the govt. ponied up MILLIONS AND MILLIONS of dollars to clear out all the rounds (whether live, or spent), "lest someone get hurt". And I know the detector dealer who sold them the metal detectors. And the dealer asked one of the operators "How many live rounds have you actually found there ?" Turns out, that in all the years they'd been working thus far, they found something like a grand total of 3. That could be considered "live" (un-spent). And oddly, were found in a field that had also doubled as tank practice grounds. So that these heavy lumbering tanks, with the track-cleats that chew up and tear up the ground, had been also driving all over the place. Yet. No danger. None ever exploded, etc....
Ok, now, pray-tell, HOW IN THE NAME OF PETE is a guy with a metal detector going to injure himself on a live round , of any type ? We have found plenty of live rounds (soldiers who ditch entire clips, so they can tell the drill-sergeant that they're done with range-practice for the day, I suppose). And trust me; Even if you banged on them with a hammer, you'd be hard-pressed to get any reaction. Nor could there be "artillery shells" around barracks and locations that had nothing at all to do with artillery.
Last edited: