Armed and Brainless: Gun Safety in 'Reno 911!'

IN THE SIX SEASONS since "Reno 911!" premiered on Comedy Central, the sheriff's department has demonstrated ineptitude at any number of things. Maintaining the slightest facade of professionalism, driving and fighting crime all come to mind.

One of their most striking deficiencies, however, is their complete irresponsibility when it comes to firearms. With season six out on DVD now, we took a look back the Reno deputies' worst examples of gun safety technique, and see if you don't learn something.

At the very least, do not try any of these at home.

The officers' trigger happy tendencies become evident from the first scene of the pilot, in which Deputy Garcia (Carlos Alazraqui) responds to an officer down call. He breaks down the door and enters, only to discover that his colleagues have contrived this scenario to summon him to a surprise birthday party. He is nonetheless so stunned that he shoots one of them after they have yelled, "Surprise!" triggering an actual call about an officer down. Not everyone enjoys surprise parties.

Later in the season, Deputy Wiegel (Kerry Kenny-Silver) accompanies her fellow officers on a burglary call at a craft store. After rhapsodizing over the availability of plastic pearls and decoupage glue, she encounters the suspect, who promptly surrenders. Wiegel ignores this and blasts him with a shotgun, jubilantly calling out afterwards, "I did it! I did something!"

Nonetheless, in season two, the other cops present Wiegel with a birthday rifle, festively decorated with helium balloons. Predictably, it promptly floats away. Even more predictably, it is loaded.

RENO 911!	Wednesdays 10:30pm / 9:30c
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A new theme is introduced later in season two, in which the deputies allow suspects access to their guns. Deputy Junior (Robert Ben Garant) is confronting an intoxicated, gun-brandishing naked man in a bar, and manages to convince him to exchange his weapon for his own gun. The naked guy's armament turns out to be a water pistol, and having received an upgrade, he immediately starts shooting up the bar. In season four this character reappears, still naked and armed, but now in the street and claiming to be from the future. In this case, Lieutenant Dangle (Thomas Lennon) is able to successfully disarm him, but not before all of the officers remove their own pants in a gesture of solidarity. Also in season four, the deputies review a recent member on gun policies. As usual, Wiegel needs additional clarification. She seems satisfied with the following conclusion, "Any chickens or people who wander into your yard to kill you, you can shoot them." Gun safety is actually a recurring theme in season four. A mere episode after the memo discussion, the officers take part in a "Guns for Toys" exchange. Shockingly, things do not go well. First Wiegel leaves the box on the stop of her car and drives off, forcing Dangle and Junior to go collect the weapons from the middle of the road. Later, as Deputies Jones (Cedric Yarbrough) and Kimball (Mary Birdsong) carry the refilled box out of the office, she is accidentally shot in the hand.

By season five, the Sheriff's department has justifiably become concerned about their own safety. Accordingly, the department invests in some new, figure-enhancing Kevlar vests for the female officers. The women are enjoying the perks of the bosom revealing look, until Kimball invites Junior to help her "break in" the vest, and is promptly shot in the side. Her female colleagues rush to her aid, assuring her that she still looks hot, and that this incident shouldn't ruin it for the rest of them.

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Later in the season, Jones confronts a shirtless man attempting to hold-up a convenience store armed only with boxing gloves. They have a prolonged discussion, which culminates in Jones trying on the gloves in order to teach the suspect a lesson, at which point the perp grabs his gun and successfully executes the robbery. The Reno officers seem to be especially prone to disarmament by undressed or partially dressed criminals, but that may just reflect the high proportions of under clothed suspects they encounter.

Season six resolved the previous season's fiery float cliffhanger by revealing that several members of the force had been killed. The series truly came full circle when the surviving officers manage to completely foul up a posthumous tribute to Garcia, the overzealous party shooter from the series premiere. After spilling his ashes, they struggle with the cannon they are attempting to use to distribute the ashes. After their efforts fail to produce any results, they give up. When the explosions does occur, thanks to their meddling the entire cannon barrel detaches, flying through the air and demolishing a cruiser. It was probably a more fitting commemoration of Garcia's career than the solemn gesture he had planned.

Written for Express by contributor Meg Zamula
Photo courtesy Comedy Central

Posted By Express at 10:30 AM on July 6, 2009 Tagged in Arts & Events , DVD Reviews , Television

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