We Will Remember Them

by
posted on August 27, 2019
willrem.jpg

On Sept. 11, 2001, Americans watched in horror as first one airliner, then another, crashed into the Twin Towers. First responders rushed to the scene, putting their own lives in danger to save others. There are many stories of courage from that dark day, but two recovered firearms from heroes who were there help tell us of the men who carried them.

Walter Weaver was an NRA member, and, as part of New York City Police Department’s Emergency Services Truck No. 3, he was one of the first to arrive at the World Trade Center. His stainless steel Smith & Wesson J-frame back-up was on him as the 30-year-old officer struggled to rescue those trapped in an elevator in the South Tower. Found later in the rubble, the gun was donated to the NRA National Firearms Museum by his family.

Working nearby was Weaver’s friend, Sgt. John D’Allara, an 18-year NYPD veteran with Squad 2 of the Emergency Services Unit. With D’Allara was his S&W Model 5946 in 9 mm Luger. As the World Trade Center fell, D’Allara was one of the 71 law enforcement officers, along with 343 members of the New York City Fire Department—as well as more than 2,800 other Americans—who perished that day. His 5946, recovered from the rubble next to his body, is on loan to the NRA National Firearms Museum from his family.

These two warped and twisted firearms offer mute testimony to the shared courage of these two officers, men who gave their lives helping others during a terrorist attack that forever changed our nation. These two hallowed handguns remind us of their sacrifice and that freedom is not free.

The NRA National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, Va., the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum at Bass Pro Shops In Springfield, Mo., and the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, N.M., offer the opportunity to learn the story of firearms, freedom and the American experience. nramuseums.com

Latest

NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, Atlanta
NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, Atlanta

The Rifleman Report: New Developments

Our official coverage of new products for the current year is set for next month, but we included two substantial new developments in this issue that have the potential to make significant ripples in the firearm business even before then.

Arkansas To Begin Mandatory Gun Safety Lessons In Schools

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed into law requiring public and open enrollment public charter schools to provide age-appropriate firearm safety instruction beginning during the 2025-2026 school year.

Adams Arms Set To Relaunch

Alexandria Pro-Fab, a contract machine shop based in Minnesota, announced that it has purchased the assets of Adams Arms, along with all of the company’s intellectual property, and it plans to relaunch the company in the second quarter of 2025.

I Have This Old Gun: Bayard Auto Pistol

The Herstal, Belgium, firm of Anciens Etablissements Pieper was apparently expecting big things when, in 1908, it named its new semi-automatic pocket pistol “Bayard.”

The Armed Citizen® March 31, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

New For 2025: Benelli USA Nova 3 Tactical

This latest update to Benelli’s pump-action shotgun gives users a few upgrades over previous generations, making the new NOVA 3 the most exciting pump-gun yet to come from the Italian maker.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.