Yes it is wrong. These are tax payers guns and not for play. They should be suspended. So what is they were there in the area for training. Lets not let our stupidity take us over cause of some sleezy dresser. That is what is wrong with our nation. We do not take things the right way, our nation is going to hell.

Sorry. Firing is too harsh. Those cops have received a lot of taxpayer-expense training and are valuable assets to the community. Firing this cop throws thousands of tax dollars down the drain when it simply isn't warranted.

Did they screw up? Absolutely, and they should most certainly be disciplined. But you can't tell me that one- or two-week suspension without pay along with a permanent citation in their records wouldn't be enough to get EVERYONE'S attention.

Punish them and move on. This was just a prank, albeit a stupid one. Firing is a huge over reaction.

Suspension of some is OK for this. Unable to determine if firing the one was due to this being a one time case or were there multiple issues with his record already?

To say there is too much invested too let them go is preposterous. That same logic would have someone stay in an abusive relationship because they already had some time invested in it. However far down the road you learn you have flushed good money down the drain, most of the time it is still wise to stop before any more is wasted. In the case of police I think the rule should be too err on the side of caution and in the case of actual criminal matters should punish to the nth degree. Especially in Texas that has had over 900 officers arrested for corruption in the last two years. Also, the cops who develope the greatest swagger from being armed and dangerous, are the scariest to me, and I submit that this incident would increase that swagger in a person.

I agree firing is too harsh..2 wk suspension w/o pay is sufficient.

I think the big picture here is that these guys are suppose to be professionals(atleast on the job anyway)and not worrying about getting their dicks wet-What were these guys doing drinking anyway if they were training? Men are SO F***ing predictable & shallow and there are enough skanks to go aroundthe world probably 10 times.

Who cares, i think americans need to get their large stick out of ther A%$, you people are so uptight, it is a picture of a hot women holding a rifle, OMG the end of the world! Grow up people, and for the twit that say's that men are so predictable, damn right we are, we love women, so deal with it!!!!

Also, what if the gun would have went off(if it was loaded)and Blondie would have shot herself or someone else? I swear men are their own worst enemies. They are good for a laugh if nothing else. I'm sure there are a few good ones out there besides my Dad & husband.

Yeah! What if the gun woud have gone off, shot a deputy, the bullet then ricochet and hit a gas truck, casuing toxic fumes to pollute the enviroment, which in turn causes cousin Betty to grow a third tit! It's just a F&#%%&# picture! Well put So What! The sooner the world understands what makes men tick, the better off everything would be! There is no stronger force than testosterone! learn people!

The firing was correct, who knows what else he/they might have been doing. had it been a ordinary citizen holding a gun and the cop would have seen it, the citizen would have been arrested on the spot and charged. the citizen would have probably lost a lot also, the deputy would not have had any remorse with the citizen, he/they would have said the citizen broke the law and the had to do their duty, well what goes around comes around, he/they broke the law also, the firing was justified as far as i am concerned. He/They knew better, if ordinary citizens have to obey the laws, they have too also, what if their was a shooting, then what, ABSOLUTELY THE CORRECT DECISION TO FIRE THEM.

Nitpickers UNITE!I am starting an environmental program to save ants.Too many people step on ants and don't realize that the ant they just accidently stepped on had a colony to go home to.Think it's ridiculous? So is the hype over this police matter.We have become a nation of Nitpickers. No wonder we can't get things done like healthcare finished.

alcohol & fire arms do not mix. There is no excuse for a police official to give his firearm to a civilian, no matter how pretty or sexy she is. On top of that you have young men with guns drinking alcohol which is a train reck waiting to happen. The firing is right on. Now officers in Texas will know to keep the guns in their holsters or the vehicles.

This is Bull$#%^ I thought this woman would at least be topless, I just wasted 4 minutes of my time GodDammit!!

I think firing was way off base. I think we should take a look at the reporter. I keep reading that the waitress was on the front of the car, when it looks like the trunk to me. If you don't know front from back makes me wonder about the reporting.

The weapon was pointed straight up. Was the weapon loaded? There was a magazine in the rifle, but that doesn't mean it was loaded. I hope the sheriff that fired the officers gets canned for some VERY minor offence!!

This is not the first incident of a Midland Co. Sheriffs deputy not acting in a professional manner, it is just one that was caught on tape. There are numerous accounts of deputies drinking and acting up as well as driving patroll cars after tossing a few. But in Midland they have ways of getting around the laws we are all made to follow. I would suggest we all carry cameras in the County of Midland TX. There really is just know telling what you may catch in a photo.

As a civilian, I have handled law enforcement officers' firearms (CORRECTLY) several times IN PUBLIC VIEW; None were considered unprofessional as I was under their direct supervision at all times and the situation was safe. The firing over just the picture seems a bit excessive, but I'll admit to not knowing the full circumstances. To those who complain about wasting their "tax dollars": Many officers have to purchase their own long guns as required by department policy, so those firearms are NOT paid for by tax dollars. Other departments provide weapons, which ARE paid for by tax dollars. Does anyone know if this was a department or personal weapon? Maybe it doesn't matter. Was it unprofessional? Maybe a little. But this situation had the potential to be all kinds of stupid. Was it dangerous? Honestly, probably not. In the photo, the model's hand is nowhere near the fire controls and the rifle is pointed in a traditionally safe direction--up. For the "what if it went off?" crowd, you're either ignorant or an overly emotional socialist trying to promote your agenda -- either one irks me. Grow a brain, or a spine, as the case may be. As far as Midland deputies getting away with things, news flash: Cops get away with things all over the country -- this is nothing new. Take a camera almost anywhere and you'll see.

The firing may have been a little harsh but with the firing how many others will let that happen, with their job on the line.

The problem here is that everyone is forming opinions based on a news report. From a law enforcement career of over 25 years, I can tell you that the news media has very little interest in fairness and accuracy. They report and write stories in such a way to capture readership. Full Stop!!

Regarding the firing of this deputy, the news media has no interest in determining if this was a one-off incident or if the actual firing was the culmination of incidents in which this officer showed poor judgement.

Oh, and Sheila ... you would not sound quite so foolish if you checked on the accuracy of your statements before you post. The simple act of holding a long gun in public in Texas is NOT a crime therefore, the rest of your rant is just so much tripe.

The problem here is that everyone is forming opinions based on a news report. From a law enforcement career of over 25 years, I can tell you that the news media has very little interest in fairness and accuracy. They report and write stories in such a way to capture readership. Full Stop!!

Regarding the firing of this deputy, the news media has no interest in determining if this was a one-off incident or if the actual firing was the culmination of incidents in which this officer showed poor judgement.

Oh, and Sheila ... you would not sound quite so foolish if you checked on the accuracy of your statements before you post. The simple act of holding a long gun in public in Texas is NOT a crime therefore, the rest of your rant is just so much tripe.

There is no room for play. FIRE THE A-HOLES

Let me get this straight...a few of us think that officers of the law who make decisions like this are good investments? Squad cars at bars, duty rifle in the hands of a barmaid, etc., etc.....

FIRING them is ridiculous. This country is so f**ked up. SO insane.

Suspension is enough.

Tax dollars? Ummm yeah, mine and yours. So if I want to have my pic taken holding a gun on a car that basically belongs to me anyway what's the problem? Don't know about other places but the tags on the cop cars here say Public Property....guess they will arrest my @$$ if I decide I want to drive one huh? I am PUBLIC, hear me ROAR!

for Leia Johnsen: you state that the weapons belong to the tax payers? Well guess what? that scantily clad waitress is a taxpayer. so if that rifle belongs to her, should she, then, not be allowed to hold it?

FOX NEWS KNOWS HOW TO GET AND KEEP ADVERTISERS....They throw a little bit of WOW at all the "Lemmings" and they follow the leader right over the cliff. Isn't that right, Al Gore? You got all the "Lemmings" headed for the cliff while you and others sit back and make big bucks off the "Global Warming Hoax". By the way, that hole in the ozone layer continues to get bigger and smaller like it always has and leaves us with ozone as a daily pollutant. I wonder how much $$$$$$ was made by forcing us to switch to R134A? Are you a "Lemming" or a feet on the ground skeptic? Yes, I am from the "ShoMe" State of Missouri.

Give me a break. Seriously. I can jump on the internet and find a thousand pics of some hot girl holding a weapon. Big deal, a cop let a girl hold a firearm. Oh and Grace, not every woman better looking than you is a skank. I would like to dig in your closet and see how much crap I would find. Ive noticed that hypocrites are the first to fling there crap on others.

I really can't believe that people are so high and mighty, next time call a cop if you need help!

Get the facts first hand, not by the media. They pass more bull s#$$ than anyone.

If you are a professional, then act like one.
No drinking and driving, no drinking and handling of your weapons. Was this deputy drinking alcohol? Was it his gun? Was it loaded? Was he thinking with his brain, heart or dick? Has he done things like this before? We are not the judge, but sure seems like we are the jury on this one. Was he a problem Deputy? We will probably never know, so let’s leave this one up to the department to find the real facts and use their professional opinion. Although some cops are pricks, let’s not judge all by a few.

It's funny how everything gets translated to the almighty dollar. The hot girl is holding a gun on a squad car, and all some of you get out of it is, "those are Taxpayer's Dollars being spent", when I spend dollars they go towards hot chicks like this, so I see it as money damn well spent as far as this picture goes!

This Just gives Losers something to talk about.
People move on already!!!
Guys like girls....Scantily clad girls...and guns...add a lil alcohol and someone is gonna be on a cruiser holding a gun....end of story!

Why in the hell were they at a bar with these assault rifles AND citizen paid for patrol cars in the first place?? They should all be fired including the Sheriff for not getting rid of all of them. GOOD Grief what is this bound for hell nation coming too??????

This is such a gross over reaction, my god in California women do more than this with not only cops but any decent looking guy! Are you serious? Firing these poor guys over this stupid and lame picture! She's not even naked! I hope they get re-hired, a case similar to this happened in Fresno, Ca and he guys were all hired bak after three months! Get over it!

Amen Brother! I'm tired of all this politically correct, boorish buls&%t. It's 2009, leave you're 1949 morals at the door!