Posted on Nov 4, 2014
SSG(P) Section Chief/ Platoon Sergeant
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Concealed carry
Should uniformed military be allowed to conceal carry any were in the U.S. with a CAC as a license due to increased threats to military personnel?
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Responses: 337
LTC Paul Heinlein
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I would like to see a minimum of commissioned officers, warrants, and NCOs carrying a Sidearms on duty on post. I would make the mental leap that all soldiers are armed while on duty on post...just like when we are in theater/ deployments. Yes, I know there will be some that go haywire (just like overseas....but at least everyone else will be able to defend themselves).

I would like to see All military personnel who are properly trained and qualified authorized to carry off duty concealed on and off post with only their Military ID.

The off duty carry...in almost every state, Soldiers can get a CCW/CCL for off post carry anyways. Some states even reduce the minimum age (as low as 18) for Military Personnel. If we approve the on post carry (assuming some type of training first), then we would know who is doing it. Yes, there will be people to abuse it/ do something stupid/ go haywire...but again at least we will be able to defend ourselves. Also the ones who would abuse it/ do something stupid/ go haywire are doing it now anyways, just illegally and without our knowledge.

Commence the beatings...
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PO1 Missile Technician
PO1 (Join to see)
>1 y
Actually, the quick draw thing, minus the mirror, *is* something you should do. You should always practice drawing from a holster(and if you have a bore sight laser, practicing accuracy after drawing is nice as well). I've lost track of the number of people at my various commands who were unfamiliar with their holsters when the time came for annual re-qualification. Nothing like a timed course and you can't get your pistol out of the holster because you don't know where the unlock button is by feel. Note: These are people who carry the damn things daily and they don't know how to draw because of how the military treats weapons training. Oooh it's a gun, I can't touch it once I holster it until I need to use it or turn it in! If it comes down to drawing fast in RL, they're screwed.
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SPC Casey Ashfield
SPC Casey Ashfield
6 y
Stripping rank away, I would have no issue with having approved service members carry firearms at all times on duty. I have met some dumb privates and I have met some dumb officers and NCOs. If you are going to allow carry on duty, treat it like a weapons qualification with a higher standard.
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LCpl Russell Wallace
LCpl Russell Wallace
>1 y
PV2 (Join to see) learn how to shoot first
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LCpl Russell Wallace
LCpl Russell Wallace
>1 y
Good god. With what I’ve seen at the ranges I would prefer officers not have weapons at all let along getting a concealed permit
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Capt Richard I P.
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Edited 10 y ago
**EDIT**

I created a new discussion to post the outcome of advice from this answer, a skeleton letter to congress for anyone to use, check it out here:

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/arm-the-armed-forces

"Arm the Armed Forces!"

I think this is worth doing. I offer these 10 points to be edited and improved on by commentary. Then we use these points (lets try to keep it below 10) to recommend simple policy improvement to our newly elected congress, I propose we debate for at least a week then start writing. Lets leverage our knowledge and strength as a community to improve force protection for our military and the public at large.
Simple policy:
1. Yearly pistol qualifications required (live fire Joint combat pistol course to be established)
2. "A" for "armed" added to CAC right below name
*3. Option available at command discretion for all service-members and mandatory for line Officers, SNCOs and those serving in a Law Enforcement capacity.
4. Open-Carry mandatory and an inspect-able item when on duty (normal workday not just OOD etc.)
*5. Concealed carry optional when off duty with an "A" ROE is defense of self and others from deadly force ONLY.
*6. Weapons will be under direct control of service-members at all times or unloaded and double-locked when on Government Property.
7. Negligent Discharges and other related weapons crimes or conduct infractions punishable with mandatory NJP, forfeiture of pay and required re-qualification option for elevation to Courts-Martial, repeat offenses subject to BCDs.
*8. Active Duty and Reservist Service Members will now be covered under the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) Federal Law, or a parallel law will be created explicitly for them. The US attorney's office is charged to defend this protection against any legal challenges.
*9. Mental Heath/Behavioral objections from any medical officer or any member in chain of command will immediately suspend authority/requirement pending review by a board comprised of command, medical and mental health officers, suspension of requirement is independent of prohibition on owning personal weapons-this will be handled under pre-existing regulations, suspension pending review does not automatically bear on proficiency evaluations or promotions
*10. When on Government Property, Service-members granted authority will furnish their own weapons in the standard service caliber, weapons will be semi-automatic, in good working order, and will be fed by standard sized magazines (neither extended beyond the magazine well nor reduced in capacity).


Edits added on suggestions indicated by "*" (combined 3 and 4 to save numbers, 5 added ROE, 6,9, 10 added 8 language cleaned up):
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MSG Bo Lathrop
MSG Bo Lathrop
>1 y
Don't think it should be mandatory for all line officers or SNCO's, but everything else, I completely agree with.
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SSG(P) Section Chief/ Platoon Sergeant
SSG(P) (Join to see)
>1 y
Hey sir sorry I'm in the police academy but I really think that we are getting somewhere with this.....has any one herd anything?
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Capt Richard I P.
Capt Richard I P.
>1 y
Sadly I think our message has largely fallen on deaf ears this time. I do think the debate and arguments it raised retain value and the more representatives hear about it the more likely at some point in the future our representatives will finally do re right thing and Arm the Armed Forces.
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SPC Casey Ashfield
SPC Casey Ashfield
6 y
4. Why Open Carry? I do believe this should be left to commander discretion. I carry a firearm every day, and I conceal it. I am not comfortable open carrying a firearm. In addition, open carry raises questions of weapon retention. So if open carry would be the norm, there would be some requirement for retention such as level II or III retention holsters that police officers use.

10. "in service caliber." Okay I have a rub here. If the service member is going to be furnishing their own firearm (and not M9/M11/M17 from the armory) they should be able to carry a caliber of their choosing. Providing they also provide the ammo for carry. I would not expect a soldier carrying a Glock 30 to expect the Army to provide .45ACP ammo for duty carry.
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MSgt Electrical Power Production
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Edited 10 y ago
There should be a federal carry permit for military personnel. Actually probably should be for everyone. They can have federal guidelines like they do for a commercial drivers license. I think the public has a misconception that the police are the best trained to handle the situation, but time will be of the essence. I believe many non law enforcement CCW holders have more time and training with their weapons then officers. Also many have attended tactical courses to improve their skills. So your best chance of survival my be that CCW holder at the moment of the threat.
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SSgt F-16, F-117, RQ-1, AND CV-22 AVIONIC SYSTEMS
SSgt (Join to see)
>1 y
Sgt Adam Jennings - The problem with using the state permits is that they mean nothing as soon as you get on base. It also does not count in an area marked by the state as a "gun free zone".
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Sgt Adam Jennings
Sgt Adam Jennings
>1 y
SSG Brian Dedorest, I guess I should have been more clear about what I meant. State permits recognized nationwide as well as by the federal government. I apologize for the confusion. I recognize the fact that CCW's mean nothing on a base and that is precisely the problem.
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LTC Signal Lno G6
LTC (Join to see)
>1 y
I have personnel in my unit that can't hardly hold a sidearm correctly much less hit a target. SC CWP holders must take a written and shooting test. 8 hour course. I think this is sufficient. The Army could then offer a tactical handgun course to build on the CWP. Just possessing a CAC doesn't cut it, but those trained do need to be able to carry on post or at their duty stations.
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SSG Roger Ayscue
SSG Roger Ayscue
>1 y
MSgt (Join to see) Master Sergeant, a National ANYTHING when it comes to guns, aside from the FBI Instant check is a terrible idea. The reason for this is simple. As of now, gun laws are set by the states. If the Federal Government gets it's paws on gun laws then we will all have the laws like California. Let the states run the gun laws.
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