Illegal Weapons Turned In For Amnesty And Iraqi Pride
The idea of trading weapons for amnesty, or trading weapons for supplies or cash is not a new concept, not even in Iraq. But it has been in recent weeks that the trading in of munitions and weapons has really taken off. There are now a number of discrete drop off points near the Forward Operating Base Kalsu, and they are increasingly full on a weekly basis as members of the local community bring in weapons and quietly drop them off.
Not only are weapons being turned in quietly, but also there are also weekly examples of citizens bring forth various quantities of weapons and requesting amnesty as they turn them in. Each IED, land mine, RPG, and rifle that is turned in represent one less weapon that can be used against coalition soldiers.
“Much of the fear in the past has been not wanting to be arrested. Now the people are beginning to trust and believe, and weapons have began to pour in to our collection points,†said First Lieutenant Greg Highstrom.
Lieutenant Highstrom is the platoon leader for 3rd Infantry, 2nd BCT, 9th FA, 1st Battalion, Battery B, 2nd platoon.
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If a citizen is discovered with a cache in their house or hiding one in another location it is a guarantee of arrest under current rules. But if the citizens bring the weapons in or notify the Coalition on their own they have a promise of amnesty, and the citizens are beginning to believe in that concept wholeheartedly.
