American Rifleman – September 2019

54 SEPTEMBER 2019 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN

We Will Remember Them

O

n Sept. 11, 2001, Americans watched in horror as
rst 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 rearms 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 rst to arrive at the World

Trade Center. His stainless steel Smith & Wesson J-frame

back-up was on him as the 30-year-old ofcer 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

Photo by Forrest MacCormack