Company backs down over gunsight bible citations

BAD MESSAGE: A Trijicon gunsight, used by Kiwi soldiers, is marked with its stock number followed by JN8:12 a biblical reference.

The company which manufactures weapon sights used by Kiwi troops in Afghanistan says it will stop putting biblical citations on them and will distribute kits to remove citations from equipment already in use.

US manufacturer Trijicon's Advanced Combat Optical Gunsights carry references to Bible verses that appear in raised lettering at the end of the stock number.

Markings include "JN8:12", a reference to the Gospel of St John chapter 8, verse 12: "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life'."

There has been global criticism of the citations, also used by the United States and British military.

Trijicon today said in a statement it would remove biblical references from all military products, as well as supply kits to US and other military to remove the references on existing equipment.

Trijicon President and CEO Stephen Bindon said the firm's decision was "both prudent and appropriate."

The Defence Force was first made aware of the codes on its weapons when contacted earlier this week. It said the citations were "inappropriate" and would be removed.

Defence Force spokesman Major Kristian Dunne said that like other countries, New Zealand had been caught unaware. "It's put us in an uncomfortable situation. We can see how they would cause offence. We are unhappy they didn't make us aware of it."

The New Zealand Defence Force had about 260 of the sights, which were first bought in 2004. Personnel would continue using them, Major Dunne said.

- with NZPA

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