Do you think there should be special circumstances for carrying a weapon while attending reserve drills?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 10:14:16 -0500

I myself and other soldiers in my unit are survivors of sexual assault. Me personally, I always carry my firearm when I leave the house except for when I am attending drill. Do you think the chain of command should be able to allow carrying of firearms during drill or when on duty if the soldier requesting it has special circumstances? For example, threats, assault, etc

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2015 10:24 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 10:24:26 -0500

We should all have them all the time. That simple.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2015 10:25 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 10:25:27 -0500

Absolutely. Unfortunately it's only allowed for General Officer's and where a credible immediate threat is identified according to regulation.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2015 11:22 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 11:22:38 -0500

.... CO will not allow it ... So as a policy, no.

But our previous CO did hinted us, "when" personal firearms are not suppose to be involved during drills. :)

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Dec 9 at 2015 11:24 AM

COL Jon Thompson — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 11:24:19 -0500

I do believe that Select reserve Soldiers should be allowed concealed carry at a Reserve Center. Most of those are fairly soft targets as shown in Chattanooga. The chain of command should approve and ensure the person is trained but I do believe it is a force protection issue.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Dec 9 at 2015 11:40 AM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 11:40:18 -0500

No as it is not compatible (at that time) with the military. If the need/fear is that great while on drill, until carry/conceal-carry is allowed, it may be time to consider getting out and/or seeking help...

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Dec 9 at 2015 12:18 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 12:18:15 -0500

Only to the extent that the 2nd amendment permits. Why is it that it is legal to carry, in most states, for all citizens (and others), while restricting our armed forces that are trained in the use of fire arms? If there us an issue with an individual, take action on that one.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2015 9:39 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 21:39:07 -0500

Are we talking POW's? Or Military Weapons?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2015 9:58 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 21:58:55 -0500

Based off of your scenario above. No.
Now given what has happened here recently Ie: Chatanooga recruiting station shooting, and other "active shooter" events here in TN. I will give you a brief overview of what has been authorized in TN.
A. POW's are allowed to be carried by authorized Soldiers in uniform.
B. ANY Federal installation ie:USAR Centers, State HQ's or any other location that is deemed Federal. You are NOT allowed to carry your personnal weapon. Now SELECT personal at those locations are authorized to carry a MILiTARY issued weapon along with MILITARY issued ammo. It will be drawn from the vault daily and turned into the vault daily.
C. Here in TN end approving authority for carrying POW's in NON FEDERAL locations is e unit CDR.

There is much much more to this. That is just a brief overview on current policy here in TN. The rest is FOUO, and I won't discuss on a open forum.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2015 11:22 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 23:22:58 -0500

Wait, so you want a firearm with you to repel a possible sexual assault? That is what is wrong with the current state of not only the country but our military (for both the assault and weapon issue). Your first reaction should not be "I need a firearm". I have seen way too many situations of petty arguments that many service-members cannot handle without a weapon involved, and now you want to bring a deadly weapon into the equation? If anyone, the senior enlisted and CO should be allowed to carry the firearm simply as they are essentially in charge of the well-being of the soldiers.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2015 11:24 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 23:24:49 -0500

Az Governor allows us in the guard to carry now. Feds need to get on the train.

Response by PO1 Michael Steffens made Dec 10 at 2015 1:09 PM

PO1 Michael Steffens — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 13:09:35 -0500

If you can carry overseas then you should be able to carry anywhere

Response by MSgt Charles Heyniger made Dec 12 at 2015 9:04 PM

MSgt Charles Heyniger — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 21:04:11 -0500

It's funny how the people that sware to defend the constitution are the ones that have their rights limited the most. Your trusted to fight and die for those values but can't carry a gun to protect yourself.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2015 11:34 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 11:34:36 -0500

Many states have authorized CCW permit holders to carry at Reserve centers and Armories. But it's not open to everyone. Just AGR and Fulltime employees and you have to apply for a NCNG Personally Owned Handgun Permit (POH) as well. This is subject to approval of the Adjutant General. NC has also put force protection officers at each location. The FPO openly carries a Government owned and issued weapon. FPOs have to carry issued weapons even if they have the POH permit. I fully support concealed carry and believe that everyone has the right to carry. I also believe that every Soldier should have training and qualify on every weapon assigned to the unit. I know a lot of Soldiers that I wouldn't trust with a sidearm until they have been trained. The CCW class should count as training but unfortunately it is mostly about the laws and doesn't spend a lot of time hands on learning how to handle firearms and we all know someone who knows someone that has had a class in their backyard that was just pay the man and get your certificate then drink some beer and shoot. The CCW class can't always be assurance of competency. We all know privates that if allowed to carry, will pull it out, show it off, and unfortunately shoot themselves or someone else. We should be allowed to carry, but there has to be discipline and training involved.