Ease the standards for privately owned weapons on base. Thoughts?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 22:20:54 -0400

http://www.stripes.com/defense-authorization-bill-calls-for-easing-rules-for-guns-on-bases-1.371125

Defense authorization bill calls for easing rules for guns on bases

An annual defense policy bill unveiled by Congress this week would give commanders more leeway to allow troops to carry personal firearms for protection on military bases following deadly shootings in Tennessee and elsewhere.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 10:31 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 22:31:56 -0400

This will be interesting to watch. I am not sure I would support it. Is this really necessary?

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Sep 30 at 2015 11:27 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 23:27:49 -0400

Yes. Arm the Armed Forces!
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/arm-the-armed-forces

Arm the Armed Forces! | RallyPoint

The outcome of the discussion "Concealed carry for CAC holders?" by [~222148:SGT Bernard Boyer III]. Below follows my skeleton letter to congress, based on the edits RP members have suggested to the 10 points. Anyone and everyone is welcome to edit and personalize the letter for their own use in writing to their congressional representatives. We sent a mass email on 3 January, the swearing in of the new congress, now it's a free for all. You...

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Oct 1 at 2015 12:00 AM

Capt Mark Strobl — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 00:00:06 -0400

I always thought it ironic that it was easier to go down to the armory and draw your T/O weapon vice bring your own firearm on base. In a profession of arms, it makes sense to me to have access (and right) to tote your own weapon.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Oct 1 at 2015 12:34 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 00:34:11 -0400

Good idea. If the armed forces can't be trusted with arms, who can be?

Response by Cpl James Waycasie made Oct 1 at 2015 2:10 AM

Cpl James Waycasie — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 02:10:18 -0400

We drank a lot and fought a lot in the Marines but we all owned and kept knives. I don't recall anyone ever getting stabbed or cut anywhere I was stationed so I figure Service personnel would be mature enough to handle firearms on base also.

Response by SGT David T. made Oct 1 at 2015 8:44 AM

SGT David T. — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 08:44:33 -0400

This doesn't go far enough. Giving the commanders authority will not bring about any meaningful changes. There needs to be a blanket authorization that is independent of the chain of command that allows anyone who is lawfully allowed to carry a weapon of base to do so on. Then and only then will there be meaningful changes. I think a 2nd order effect would be that people would be far more polite to each other up and down the chain of command lol.

Response by 1LT Aaron Barr made Oct 2 at 2015 12:12 PM

1LT Aaron Barr — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 12:12:11 -0400

I would be in favor. Pretty much all of us who've served have been trained in small arms and there's no shortage of knowledgeable people we could seek out to help us train. The idea that we're trusted with weapons like artillery etc. but not with our own, private weapons on post is ludicrous.