Conway - A rifle that failed to fire earlier this month when a Faulkner County Sheriff's deputy was looking down the barrel of a pistol wielded by an apparently suicidal man near Vilonia has been checked out and returned to service.

Lt. Sam Keller of FCSO, a certified Colt armorer, said the DPMS Panther Arms AR-15 rifle's internal workings didn't seem to be worn, damaged or dirty when he inspected the weapon and he could find nothing wrong with it.

Sheriff Karl Byrd said Tuesday that he was advised that the rifle may have needed some springs in the firing mechanism replaced as a precaution, and has ordered that this work be performed on all FCSO AR-15 rifles as well.

Keller said he couldn't find a reason why the weapon didn't fire. He said there were no plans to inspect the department's ammunition, manufactured by Remington, as faulty ammunition hasn't been a problem with "the tens of thousands" of rounds fired in training and practice.

There was a "dimple" in the primer of the round chambered when Dep. Mike Wilkins pulled the trigger, Keller said, but such a mark is often left when the bolt assembly slams into the firing position.

The apparently suicidal man dropped his pistol and surrendered shortly after Wilkins attempted to shoot and before a second deputy with the man in his sights could pull the trigger on his service pistol. He was arrested and has been charged with aggravated assault.

(By Joe Lamb, Log Cabin Staff Writer.)

 Email To Friend