Salem-News.com Weapons articles

Rise of the Mercs and a Race to the Bottom

What were once called mercenaries were legitimized as ‘private military security contractors’.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The history of mercenary fighters ("mercs")--soldiers for hire who might be disciplined fighters abiding by the rules of engagement or might be plundering freebooters--from ancient Rome to today in Ukraine--is often an ugly, brutal, killers-for-hire story.

Officers Investigate Report of Armed Person on McKay HS Campus

Contrary to postings on social media, no shots were fired on or near the campus.

(SALEM, Ore.) - At about 11:30 a.m. today multiple Salem Police officers responded to McKay High School on the report of an armed person.

No weapons were found. No arrests were made. The students involved were released to school administrators.

Activists Make Statement at Nuke Base: Our Children Deserve Better!

Kitsap-Bangor has 8 of the nation's 14 OHIO Class (Trident) ballistic missile submarines.

(SILVERDALE, Wash.) - Activists briefly blockaded the entrance to a West Coast nuclear weapons base in a statement against U.S. Nuclear modernization efforts on the eve of Mothers Day.

Carrying signs saying “Our children deserve better”, five protesters walked into the roadway and blocked traffic entering the base. Washington State Patrol officers moved in and escorted the protesters off the roadway.

Human Rights Ambassador Welcomes Countries Ratifying UN Arms Trade Treaty

Human Rights Ambassador welcomed the countries ratified UN Arms Trade Treaty

(WASHINGTON DC) - The ambassadors of 18 countries handed over the documents at a U.N. ceremony on the first anniversary of the General Assembly's adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty, which is aimed at stemming the global illegal weapons trade, estimated at between $60 billion and $85 billion. The new ratifications brings the total number to 31, more than half of the 50 needed for the pact to enter into force.

Five of the world's top 10 arms exporters — Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain — turned in their ratification documents at the ceremony.

Inventor of AK-47 rifle Mikhail Kalashnikov Wished He`d Built Lawnmowers Instead

"I would prefer to have invented a machine that people could use and that would help farmers with their work – for example a lawnmower." - Mikhail Kalashnikov

(MOSCOW RT) - The inventor of the iconic AK-47 assault rifle, Mikhail Kalashnikov, has died at the age of 94. His ingenuity earned him widespread admiration, but his legacy became more controversial when his weapons were used in some of the world’s bloodiest conflicts.

"Mikhail Kalashnikov's entire life is a shining example of dedication to serving your country," said a statement from Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu.