Controversial guns to be locked away at gaming commission until training, protocols adopted

This is a civilian Sig Sauer MPX model is similar to the law-enforcement grade guns recently purchased by the Racing and Gaming Commission. It is a short-barrel, semi-automatic rifle that shoots handgun ammunition. (Courtesy of Sig Sauer)

LINCOLN — Semi-automatic guns purchased recently by the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission will be locked away until proper training and procedures for their use can be adopted, a representative of that agency said Wednesday.

Shane Greckel, the vice chairman of the commission, said the gambling agency had explored whether to return the 10 Sig Sauer MPX rifles, purchased for the commission’s investigators.

But, he said, the agency would have had to pay a 30% “restocking” fee, which made it too expensive, and there was no interest in declaring them “surplus” property of the state so they could be sold.

“It’s best that we hold onto them right now,” Greckel said.

For active shooter incidents

The guns cost $30,350 and were portrayed as necessary to respond to  any “active shooter” incidents that might occur at the state’s gambling casinos. Such incidents typically involve high-powered, semi-automatic rifles.

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