The IDF in March will begin issuing all soldiers carrying weapons a plastic device that will prevent accidental discharges of their firearms. The plastic device, called a "Mek-Porek," is an orange L-shaped piece of plastic that fits into the chamber of the rifle and prevents a bullet from entering it. If a soldier does suddenly need to fire the weapon, they only need to cock it and the Mek-Porek flies out, leaving the weapon be ready for use. The device has already been in use within some combat units in the IDF, but there was never an official directive given requiring its use. The IDF Safety and Quality Control Branch hopes that issuing the Mek-Poreks to all units will reduce incidents of accidental weapon discharge by 20 percent. "So long as the Mek-Porek is in the weapon, the soldier can know for certain that there is no bullet in the chamber. It is an indication for both the soldier and the commander," IDF Safety and Quality Control Commander Lt. Col. Arik Moreh said. "There will be no more clearing of weapons during the morning formation. The commander will be able to look at his soldiers' guns and see that there is no round in the chamber." The Mek-Porek is meant to be taken out of a firearm only during live-fire exercises, missions, or in areas where it is ruled unnecessary. One of the big advantages of the device is that it is very cheap, and the IDF has already purchased 400,000 units. A downside to it is that if the weapon is not cleaned, the Mek-Porek could push dirt further into the chamber. The Mek-Porek will be distributed to active soldiers first, and there are plans to implement it for reservists as well. According to Moreh, military police will treat soldiers who do not have a Mek-Porek in their weapons the way they treat soldiers whose uniforms are incomplete, and discipline them accordingly.
