How can we get a federal concealed carry for our service members and veterans?

Capt Seid Waddell - Spot on!

Capt Seid Waddell - This woman could be said to be the precursor to the Nazi party.

SGT Damaso V Santana, this is one of the disgraceful policies that gave the Progressive movement a bad name and made them start calling themselves "Liberals" instead.

Their policies did not change however, and now that the term "Liberal" has developed a bad reputation they are changing back to "Progressive" - figuring that those from Sanger's time that knew what Progressives represent are now long dead.

TSgt James Arnold - You have a very warped viewpoint on conservatism and libertarians. I think you have been drinking the MSNBC water too often. Groups cannot be simplified on a linear scale, certainly not through history. Many of your opinions are just plain wrong. Most of these issues are addressed in our constitution, primarily in the 10th Amendment. You also misunderstand the bill of rights if you consider it a document granting citizens rights. It is clearly written as a document that prohibits the Government from taking certain actions.

It's hard to elect better representation when the voters don't know squat diddly about the voting process and the people they vote for. I must agree with the architect of ACA that a vast majority of eligible voters are stupid. They either vote their wallet or don't vote at all.

SPC Ken Sawyer - Barbara can eat a _____ (insert your own mad-lib, I'm going to say, late night lukewarm hot dog from a convenience store in Mexico).

If this shows up twice, tell me and I will delete the first version - my computer went nuts on me while I was typing. Now then, fire all of the clowns on Capitol Hill and start from scratch. The new representation should be on a pay scale similar to the military system and they will have to earn their pay raises by actually doing their jobs. While we are at it, pull the Ultimate Golden Parachute and Fringe Benefits package from them, make then contribute to a retirement plan and pay for medical benefits just like the rest of us do. Of course, we go back to the way it was originally intended, they are in a voluntary position that is UNPAID, they are provided with a place to live, a place to work, a small staff - as in 2 or 3 people that are paid minimum wage and that is it. Nothing else, if we can do that, then they might actually look at some of the laws they are passing and realize how ridiculous they are. Who knows, we may even get them to do what the People want, like pass a National Reciprocity, write a tax code that the average person can understand and eliminate things like the ACA that actually cost jobs. OK, rant over, time for me to wake up and stop dreaming.

Cpl Shaun Smith I whole Hartley agree with you but it is how democrats think. For the life of me I don't know how any service man or woman can vote democrat

I agree. There is definitely a need to complete a training course. Not only the course but there needs to be a performance evaluation and the instruction needs to be auditted randomly and often. Unfortunately, many miltary courses give participation awards too. While the density of competent individuals is higher in the Military than with civilians, not every Soldier or Veteran should be allowed based solely on status

Sir I would say that every one could benefit from more training if we were to get CCW's. I would want the training to make us better not to stop us from getting the CCW like some in polotics have done

I agree. Military service does not equal proficiency. However, in Virginia proof of military service is enough to "demonstrate competence" in order to receive a CCW.

The original law in Maine all it took was a DD214 or was active duty to get a permit As I was a permitted concealed carrier while I was military and continued thru to today. Todays law to have a paper permit in maine also still has DD214 and a background check. But recently past law allows everyone to carry concealed without any training or background also known as constitutional carry. I will keep my paper permit as it is only 20 bucks for 5 years and has a few other advantages plus wont be dependent on possible future political changes

Yes, but who's freedom wins? Is it my freedom as a property owner to deny anybody access to firearms (a supposed safe zone), or is it your freedom as a gun owner to carry where ever you want?

SGT (Join to see) - You as a PRIVATE property owner can deny access. But if general public access is granted that is a different situation.
There is no "winner".

Thankfully in Maine the note on the door is not a binding law in the case of a mall. If you catch me with my concealed weapon all that would happen is Im asked to leave. and may be banned, I will take my chances when I wish to protect myself and family and others around me. I do follow the law and do not carry into the lawfully prohibited places. Besides when I am carrying there should be no way anybody but I should know

SGT (Join to see) I'm talking about carry in public, not on private property. I believe you have the right to prohibit firearms on your property (not to say that the sign on the door should have the force of law, but you can ask people to leave, and they could be charged with trespassing if they remain), but I also believe that when you choose to prohibit firearms, you take on an increased responsibility for the welfare of those on your property. You should be liable if they are injured in some way as a result of being disarmed per your request.

All the more reason to get it in motion now... you are aware of how long it takes to get *anything* through Congress, right?

Touché

I just read into that, now it's actually public law 178-222.

I agree that amending the existing law would be the easiest way to allow wider carry. Unfortunately, that doesn't solve the greater problem of figuring out how to get folks PROPERLY trained. After my active military career, I worked for the airlines and was involved in the fight to get cockpit crew armed after 9/11. It was a monumental task. The training requirements for the new FFDOs (who had very limited jurisdiction as federal quasi-"LEOs" - only on the flight deck under way) were onerous and had to be accomplished on the pilots own time and dime. Their was also a very in-depth psych eval that even some former civilian LEOs (sheriff types) couldn't pass.

I was out of the business before they implemented the program, so I have no idea how it actually works now. I can say that I was an expert marksman in the USAF and USAFR, and the VAST majority of the folks I qual'd with were appalling shots under simple no-threat, no-adrenaline scenarios. I have plenty of land now and highly skilled folks to train with. I'm now a fanatic believer in lots and lots of training before you think you're going to be of any use in a gunfight. Most military basic qual is like basic math - adding and subtracting. A one on one gunfight with like weapons moves immediately to advanced algebra, and you against a heavily armed/armored and adequately trained aggressor is calculus. Add multiple aggressors and you better be able to handle the gunfight equivalent of doing string theory inside a burning building. It's not like TV. The physiological stress is crushing and without training you're dangerous. As long as folks understand they shouldn't engage unless there's no other choice then great. Unfortunately, I've been around too many John Wayne or Jack Bauer wannabees with guns (yes, I live in the South). And in case you think I'm bragging... nope. I'm getting to that algebra level. I can hit a trotting coyote at 35 yards with a snub-nosed 38... but, I had time to brace and aim... and he wasn't shooting back. Train, train, train, or leave your gun on your hip.

Lt Col Mike Maza Sir, I couldn't agree more. The current requirement under LEOSA is to qualify once annually. To be fair, consistent, and prevent as many incidents as possible, I believe a concealed handgun refresher course for first responders would be a good start for service members. I say first responders as, if you have to "skin your smoke wagon" you must have been there during the initial incident.

The FFDO program is a good back up for FAMS and the training conducted at the FAMS Training Center in Atlantic City, NJ is second to none for the FFDOs.

Thank you for commenting.

V/R,

Yes Jim, well said.

Thank you major. I hope we get a chance to make it happen.

LTC Yinon Weiss thanks for the reminder!

Good idea! It worked wonders here in Illinois. Most, Walmart ect, Backed down. Others did here locally after the loss of business.