Posted on Jul 20, 2015
Did President Clinton really "disarm" the military?
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There is a meme floating around claiming that military member can't defend themselves because of President Clinton. I served under President Reagan and don't remember anyone but law enforcement, security, and some aircrew members under arms. I vaguely remember a riffle rack in the chow hall at a Marine base once that Marines used to secured their weapons while eating. What was the policy for other services and did it really change under President Clinton?
Politics
MA: Master-at-Arms
Terrorism
Bill Clinton
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
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He did not. We were never allowed to carry personal weapons as a general policy and the bill in reference was actually under GHWB, not Clinton.
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Sgt Mark Ramos
Thanks for the clarification. I saw that the initial bill was signed by GHWB and an Army regulation was issued a few months into President Clinton's first term. But it appeared to me that the policy was already in place on any military installation that I was on, well before the regulation. But, I never visited an Army post.
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Doesn't mater if you like the Blaze or not, there reporting is accurate...
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/09/17/this-is-why-most-military-personnel-are-disarmed-on-military-bases-and-its-not-clintons-fault/
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/09/17/this-is-why-most-military-personnel-are-disarmed-on-military-bases-and-its-not-clintons-fault/
Monday's deadly shooting at the Washington Navy Yard has renewed interest in why most military personnel are forbidden from carrying firearms on military bases. In the aftermath, some have pointed fingers at former President Bill Clinton, but is he really to blame? Not according to what we found.
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Sgt Mark Ramos
LTC (Join to see), thanks for the information. I like the Blaze. This is the information that I found also. But, as stated before, it seemed to me that this was already the policy in the 1980s. I was wondering what other members experienced. Many times a directive slightly modifies a previous directive and the media reports it as a new policy. It seems to me that this is what happened, in addition to messing up other aspects of the who and when.
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No he did not. When in Garrison I cant recall a time that we ever left the Unit Armed. They prohibited it because of Security and Accountability purposes. You have young soldiers are Careless. They could be at McDonald's and go to the bathroom and leave their weapon on the table. What happens if a civilian walks by and picks that weapon up?
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once again, goes to show you cant believe so much of what is floating around - and this is why I really hate memes, i really hate political memes.
the truth is, we all run the risk of getting killed, car wrecks, robberies, accidents, medical mistakes - and it isnt always a politician's fault. Sometimes, bad stuff happens to good people.
the truth is, we all run the risk of getting killed, car wrecks, robberies, accidents, medical mistakes - and it isnt always a politician's fault. Sometimes, bad stuff happens to good people.
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This post is also saying "five Marines..." In my opinion, it lost its credibility right then and there. Also, there's no reason anyone need be blamed for this incident. It was an unfortunate act of blind hate and we really need to lose the idea that somebody has to be blamed for everything. That article was clearly very biased.
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Sgt Mark Ramos
I also do not recall anyone other than Base Security and DOD cops carrying weapons. I don't think military personnel have ever been allowed to carry personally owned weapons on base, at least in any members here's lifetimes!
I also do not recall anyone other than Base Security and DOD cops carrying weapons. I don't think military personnel have ever been allowed to carry personally owned weapons on base, at least in any members here's lifetimes!
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CPO Aaron Newman
Yes-- there was a period of time that Security Departments allowed the use of personal firearms and ammunition. I am a " plank owner " in the M A A rate and attended M A A Class # 3 in Lackland AFB, Texas. In March of 1975 I was sent to NAS Jacksonville, Florida for duty with the Security Department. I was the first rated M A A ( MA-1) assigned to NAS JAX. We were issued 38 Cal. pistols for patrol work. After a year on patrol I was assigned as a CID investigator and had to turn the pistol in. We were provided with a clothing allowance and told to wear our weapons covered and out of sight. Our entire branch purchased our own snub nosed weapons or detective Specials and hollow point ammo. This was accepted and approved by the Director of security. No regulation or guidance prohibited it at the time. It wasn't until the early 1980's before specific guidance and SOP'S were written and issued that forbade the use of private weapons & ammo.
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PO1 John Miller
CPO Aaron Newman
Good to know. But I have to ask, was it only Security personnel who were authorized to carry personally owned weapons? Say could a Radioman carry his personally owned firearm on base?
Good to know. But I have to ask, was it only Security personnel who were authorized to carry personally owned weapons? Say could a Radioman carry his personally owned firearm on base?
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