Germany says military will stop using gun ‘that can’t shoot straight when hot’

German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen has stated that the military will stop using an assault rifle that does not shoot straight per field tests in warm temperatures.  The weapon, which has been in use since the 1990’s, has been the topic of many controversial conversations and debates.

According to The Guardian, the G36 assault rifle has been the focus of a parliamentary inquiry, as well as the brunt of jokes by TV talk show hosts.  Reports state it is inaccurate when temperatures rise above 86 degree Fahrenheit or when it heats up through constant firing.

“This weapon, the way it is now constructed, has no future in German armed forces,” said von der Leyen after a parliamentary defense meeting discussing the assault rifle’s accuracy.  However, when asked if a modified version of the weapon would be acceptable, she did not answer.

Heckler & Koch, the makers of the G36 assault rifle, has denied accusations that the weapon is faulty and stated it is fully operational.

Opposing members of the parliament want to question Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere and his predecessor Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg about the assault rifle and how long leaders have known about the possible accuracy flaws.  German soldiers in Afghanistan and other combat zones have used the weapon.

One thing the two sides of the parliament do agree on is the belief that the defense ministry has known about the rifle issue since 2010 and have avoided addressing the problem for years.