Posted on Dec 21, 2016
How do you feel about soldiers being allowed to keep their weapons while on post?
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Last night, I caught someone attempting to steal my truck literally right outside of my barracks building. The only reason he ran off was because I told him I had a weapon. I don't, because one is locked in my units armory. and the other back home with my mother. That being said, how do you all feel about having weapons on post? Not necessarily on your person, but in your vehicles.
Weapons
Rules
Regulation
Self Defense
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 87
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Strongly in favor. If the armed services cannot be trusted to be armed, who can be?
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SFC (Join to see)
PO1 Rodney Bracey - That's already something they do, at least at Army bases. I think that being able to carry on base is an excellent deterrent. Those who have a CCW permit already and others should be allowed to carry as they see fit. Like someone said above, military installations are big targets. There's no reason for firearms to be as restricted as they are now.
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GySgt Gregory Robeson
PO1 Rodney Bracey - What does the place you live have to do with your "need" or even desire to carry a weapon? The initial article has a valid case point - broaden it and you can see the potential for a "need" to protect oneself or family (even if they are not living in a police station). Suppose that attempted car theft was move to breaking into the on-base housing of that person....maybe even the housing that his wife and children were currently sleeping? I'd think the service member would and should be allowed to have that firearm in their possession to protect themselves and not locked in an armory out of reach.
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SFC Jim Ruether
PO1 Rodney Bracey - They were actually doing this at some AF Bases to ensure security to the Airman or Woman who wanted their weapons secured.
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PO2 Lawrence Moody
GySgt Gregory Robeson - lol. The mass riots of last year prove not even a Police Station is not safe , especially when you have so many mentally ill in public office,
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I am absolutely ok with it- the criminal has already made up their mind to commit the crime- they have the element of surprise on their side. They are not going to wait around for the police to get there. You have to be your own 911- I firmly believe we have to protect ourselves/family/property.
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SSgt Terry P.
GySgt Melissa Gravila I absolutely agree,Gunny.The idea of having a weapon locked up out of reach is ridiculous,if you need a weapon in a crisis,you need it immediately,not 5 minutes later.
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GySgt Melissa Gravila
SSgt Terry P. - very true- like driving around with it locked up in your trunk! After the USMC, I worked for DOC (Dept of Corrections) as a food svc director for 10 yrs. I had to deal with inmates up close and personal, I know how they think. I would much rather be judged by 12 than carried out by 6.
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SSgt Terry P.
GySgt Melissa Gravila - I was being liberal with my time,most crisis would be closer to 5 seconds or less where a weapon was necessary.Same as having a weapon with the ammo somewhere other than in the weapon. No matter what the cliche says--unloaded weapons do not kill.
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GySgt Melissa Gravila
SSG David Gentile - no such thing as too rich, too thin, or too much ammo my friend!
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I'm 50/50. When I'm in uniform, I've got my game face on. I am the most professional and serious Marine you'll probably meet. I also know a lot of Marines don't hold that level of seriousness to their jobs. Some Marines I wouldn't really trust with a firearm unless we were in the field.
I do think all military personnel should be able to carry on base. We are trained and this is what we are trained for. It kills me when protocol is shelter in place during an active shooter instead of hunting the target down. We shouldn't be afraid on our own base. Criminals should be afraid of committing any crime on a military installation.
But I also know how childish some of these new bloods can act in the military. Sometimes the pettiness of high school drama sticks with them even after boot camp. This is the primary reason I'm divided on the issue.
I do think all military personnel should be able to carry on base. We are trained and this is what we are trained for. It kills me when protocol is shelter in place during an active shooter instead of hunting the target down. We shouldn't be afraid on our own base. Criminals should be afraid of committing any crime on a military installation.
But I also know how childish some of these new bloods can act in the military. Sometimes the pettiness of high school drama sticks with them even after boot camp. This is the primary reason I'm divided on the issue.
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CPL(P) (Join to see)
With a drill and a cutoff wheel ($50 tools at Lowe's) the only triple-layer security is hardened steel... which is why we have GSA specifications. Even then, it's not really that hard to break in to even a hardened steel box, which is where active security comes in... and that's what CQ is for.
Many of the people living in off-post housing are married junior enlisted.
Arguably, denying Soldiers the right to keep arms in the homes violates the Supreme Court's decision in Heller (2008) that keeping arms in the home for self-defense is a right, but that hasn't been challenged in court.
If someone's not trustworthy to keep a firearm around in garrison, they shouldn't be trusted with one on deployment either.
Many of the people living in off-post housing are married junior enlisted.
Arguably, denying Soldiers the right to keep arms in the homes violates the Supreme Court's decision in Heller (2008) that keeping arms in the home for self-defense is a right, but that hasn't been challenged in court.
If someone's not trustworthy to keep a firearm around in garrison, they shouldn't be trusted with one on deployment either.
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SSG Richard Hackwith
Having spending some time the MP Corps, I oppose the idea. Not everyone in uniform is a hero, there are quite a few scumbags. It was bad enough responding to a large disturbance at the EM club with no guns involved. There are a lot of gang banger types that join the military to learn weapons proficiency. A few years back, in Stockton CA, a group of gang bangers ambushed the police. On of the dead gang types turned out to be an active duty marine.
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SR Christopher Nielson
Youre correct about the high school BS sticking with some of these kids. One guy thought it would be funny to shit in the showers at my A school.
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PO2 Lawrence Moody
Understood. I served with the Marine Corps as a Corpsman for a few years, but if you look at the bright side. Maybe the Corp will stop taking in those not mature enough to trust. This policy may help weed out the weeds.
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