Posted on Dec 21, 2016
How do you feel about soldiers being allowed to keep their weapons while on post?
70.9K
399
174
57
57
0
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 9 y ago
Responses: 87
3
3
0
Did you beat him up so he won't be able to do the same thing to another Soldier?
(3)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
Unfortunately, SFC, he ran off the minute I said I had a weapon. I notified the MPs, and gave as best description I could (I wasn't looking at his face, I was watching his hands).
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
It's the friggin military - if you can't have your weapon on post, then why are we even bothering.
Damn it, soldiers are not a bunch of kids, but grown adults.
It's not a perfect system, but name one system that is.
Let our soldiers do what they are supposed to do and be able to protect themselves.
Damn it, soldiers are not a bunch of kids, but grown adults.
It's not a perfect system, but name one system that is.
Let our soldiers do what they are supposed to do and be able to protect themselves.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
bill clinton Was an IDIOT for Forbidding soldiers on BASE to carry their weapons ! Think of the lives that could have been saved in FT Hood had the soldiers had their weapons on their persons !!!
(2)
(0)
PO1 Rodney Bracey
That was also a civilian rich environment. No way to speculate how many lives could have been saved or how many more could have been lost.
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
Why not. All of our military men and women are or should be trained with firearms. If we trust them during training and combat why take their weapons when they are at home?
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
If they are other wise qualified why not. But my concern is that soldiers who might become problems later on. You gonna search these soldiers every day? What about PV2 Jones who just got UCMJ ? Does he have a weapon that he wants to use on his squad leader for revenge, due to losing rank? Are you rock hard NCO's gonna be just as hard when you know joe may be packing a .45 with 15 round mag?
(2)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
I wouldn't trust some of the E7s I know with a weapon anywhere around me, to be honest with you.
(0)
(0)
MSG Jay Jackson
Mmmm, so a PFC with a few years of service doesn't trust his seniors with a weapon who have numerous more years of service than him? How could this be? Are you a Olympic champion with the pistol? How about a former Leo who came in the Army late? I tend to call BS on that soldier! Y the time you make SFC you should be proficient with most Army weapons.
(0)
(0)
CPL(P) (Join to see)
If you've made it through Basic and are deployable, you've earned the trust to carry a weapon anywhere, any time, under any conditions.
If you don't trust a soldier to carry a weapon everywhere and they're deployable, someone should probably start failure-to-adapt proceedings because carrying a weapon is an essential soldier task (that's why Lautenberg violators can't be in the military).
If you don't trust a soldier to carry a weapon everywhere and they're deployable, someone should probably start failure-to-adapt proceedings because carrying a weapon is an essential soldier task (that's why Lautenberg violators can't be in the military).
(1)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
MSG, with all due respect, just because they have years of service doesn't make them trustworthy. There are many NCOs in my chain of command who are downright toxic and make it their mission to make the lives of their subordinates hell, and that's just MY chain of command. Toxic units are running rampant (2nd BCT, 82nd this last JRTC rotation, anyone?) There is no reason to treat soldiers like absolute dogshit just because said NCO is bored, said NCO is having problems at home (which is often, NCOs and SNCOs beat their wives and then come into work and continuously be toxic to lower enlisted just because). I would not trust an NCO like that with a firearm anywhere around me. If an NCO hates me enough to make me do enough stupid shit to the point where I wish I wasn't born, how can I trust said NCO to not blow my brains out because he/she was a little bit more upset that particular day?
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
I was one of the several volunteer patriots who stood outside of our local recruiting center in Paducah Ky, well armed after the Jihadist murdered the recruiters in Chattanooga TN. We heard we were the longest standing guard in the entire country. We actually stood down just before Christmas 2015 ( over 6 months) .we were greatly supported by the community, the recruiters, & the local law enforcement community. I am extremely proud of my fellow patriots (10 -20 men & women) who helped guard the people who keep us free & safe. The recruiters & V.A. clinics, & bases should be allowed to be able to defend themselves just like every law abiding citizen is.
(2)
(0)
1
1
0
I think under our current circumstances, it makes perfect sense for out service members to be armed on our bases. Our Camps Bases Stations and Forts are wide open -- very valuable to terror attack as we saw a Ft Hood. I don't think as many of our brothers and sisters would have been kill if our gov hadn't provided the proverbial pickle barrel for the terrorist to shoot in in the first place. So yes, I feel we should be able to carry our T/O Weapons in garrison.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
I'm all for carryover g on post, but obviously there will be control and will be needed. Currently we are allowed to carry in our work environment with the permission of your Battalion Commander during "increased threat times" but the proper paper work has to be done and repeated every 90 days.
I agree with allowing Soldiers to carry concealed at work. Although this comes with issues. Army Regulations do not allow ammunition or firearms to be stored in the barracks. This protects Soldiers from multiple situations. 1. If a fire happened in the barracks 2. The maturity factor, not to single out a particular group but lower enlisted don't have the maturity factor to control having a weapon in the barracks. I have had 30 year Privates that don't have the "Army" maturity to handle this. Stuck in their pre-Army way of life.
Things would have to be changed to include regulations. If the regulation is changed the Soldiers would need a safe in their room, is the Army providing this? And thats a lot of DPW work orders for being locked out of the safe or when Soldiers PCS/ETS.
However I do think it should be at Company Commander discretion with the mind set of: who can handle the responsibility.... who has the maturity.... are there any medical circumstances involved....
I don't agree with the 90 day time limit, I agree with a time limit but needs to be longer.
Maybe initial approval at Battalion Commander level and then every six months revaluation at Company Commander. As far as barracks I haven't completed a suggestion. I understand there are Soldiers that can handle this but I honestly don't think it should be in the barracks. Issue that arises is the equality that Soldier can but this one cannot, I see an issue rising there.
I agree with allowing Soldiers to carry concealed at work. Although this comes with issues. Army Regulations do not allow ammunition or firearms to be stored in the barracks. This protects Soldiers from multiple situations. 1. If a fire happened in the barracks 2. The maturity factor, not to single out a particular group but lower enlisted don't have the maturity factor to control having a weapon in the barracks. I have had 30 year Privates that don't have the "Army" maturity to handle this. Stuck in their pre-Army way of life.
Things would have to be changed to include regulations. If the regulation is changed the Soldiers would need a safe in their room, is the Army providing this? And thats a lot of DPW work orders for being locked out of the safe or when Soldiers PCS/ETS.
However I do think it should be at Company Commander discretion with the mind set of: who can handle the responsibility.... who has the maturity.... are there any medical circumstances involved....
I don't agree with the 90 day time limit, I agree with a time limit but needs to be longer.
Maybe initial approval at Battalion Commander level and then every six months revaluation at Company Commander. As far as barracks I haven't completed a suggestion. I understand there are Soldiers that can handle this but I honestly don't think it should be in the barracks. Issue that arises is the equality that Soldier can but this one cannot, I see an issue rising there.
(1)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
DoD Releases Plan to Allow Personnel to Carry Firearms on Base
The DoD recently released guidance that allows U.S. military personnel to carry privately owned, concealed firearms on base.
(0)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
I think if a soldier residing in the barracks (like myself) wants to keep their weapons with them, they should have their own safe, SSG. If it means I can take my weapon with me whenever I want to it's certainly worth it. A big safe to keep a rifle in, probably not a good idea because of obvious reasons, but I can certainly find a small-ish safe for my handguns. My rifle is currently in my units armory. I've never had trouble getting it out, but it sure is annoying having to ask someone else when I can use my weapon.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
You want to be able to carry on post. Got that.
Someone was trying to steal your truck. This happened on post. Got that.
Logic says that if you're allowed to carry on post, so is the thief.
So you, the armed truck owner, surprise the armed truck thief and draw down on him.....
Hmm... How many ways can this go bad?
Not to mention what life would be like in the barracks and barracks areas when every weekend an unknown number of rambunctious young men consume an unknown amount of alcohol and have easy access to firearms, either their own or someone else's in the barracks.
What could possibly go wrong?
Someone was trying to steal your truck. This happened on post. Got that.
Logic says that if you're allowed to carry on post, so is the thief.
So you, the armed truck owner, surprise the armed truck thief and draw down on him.....
Hmm... How many ways can this go bad?
Not to mention what life would be like in the barracks and barracks areas when every weekend an unknown number of rambunctious young men consume an unknown amount of alcohol and have easy access to firearms, either their own or someone else's in the barracks.
What could possibly go wrong?
(1)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
About the same chance as a married NCO with even easier access to weapons getting drunk and gunning down his family and neighbors.
(0)
(0)
Sgt Bob Leonard
Let me make one thing clear at the outset of this response: I think I'm safe in presuming that you are a responsible gun owner. So on a one-to-one basis, I respect your SA Right to keep and bear arms. Having said that, and addressing the issue at hand...
A long, long time ago, I lived with several hundred young men such as myself in a barracks, two to a room. I also visited regularly in the homes of other Enlisted and NCOs, and a few Officers, both on and off station. I don't hesitate for a minute to say the odds of a scenario such as we're considering happening at each of these two locations is most definitely NOT about equal.
They are entirely different environments, different people, different settings... The differences are much, much greater than the similarities.
A long, long time ago, I lived with several hundred young men such as myself in a barracks, two to a room. I also visited regularly in the homes of other Enlisted and NCOs, and a few Officers, both on and off station. I don't hesitate for a minute to say the odds of a scenario such as we're considering happening at each of these two locations is most definitely NOT about equal.
They are entirely different environments, different people, different settings... The differences are much, much greater than the similarities.
(0)
(0)
Sgt Bob Leonard
I suspect, mind you, I only SUSPECT, the "No Carry on Post" directive you mention is actually "No Carry in the Post Office", a 1972 Postal Service Policy. I was active duty USAF in the '60s and '70s, and personal firearms were restricted on Base back then, also. So both of those policies (USAF and Postal Service) pre-dated Pres. Clinton.
"In 1972, the Postal Service enacted 39 C.F.R. § 232.1(l ), which provides:
"Weapons and explosives. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, rule or regulation, no person while on postal property may carry firearms, other dangerous or deadly weapons, or explosives, either openly or concealed, or store the same on postal property, except for official purposes."
https://mylegalheat.wordpress.com/2014/04/25/the-truth-about-firearms-on-post-office-property/
However, with regard to CURRENT policies, and more to the topic of this post, I did a little digging and found this:
"DoD Releases Plan to Allow Personnel to Carry Firearms on Base"
Military.com | Nov 21, 2016 | by Matthew Cox
"The Pentagon recently released detailed guidance that allows U.S. military personnel to carry privately owned, concealed firearms on base, a move that the Army's service chief argued against publicly."
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/11/21/dod-releases-plan-allow-personnel-carry-firearms-base.html
Which links to this...
DOD DIRECTIVE 5210.56
ARMING AND THE USE OF FORCE
November 18, 2016
SECTION 4: POSSESSION OF PRIVATELY OWNED FIREARMS BY DOD
PERSONNEL NOT RELATED TO THE PERFORMANCE OF OFFICIAL
DUTIES.
4.1. GENERAL. This section provides guidance for determining the eligibility of DoD
personnel to carry privately owned firearms on DoD property for personal protection when it is
not related to the performance of official duties. This section also provides requirements for
individual training, transport, safeguarding, and storage of privately owned firearms that the
arming authority must consider when determining whether to permit an individual to carry a
privately owned firearm on DoD property.
http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/521056_dodd_2016.pdf
It's not a blanket 'free carry' policy. There are restrictions. But it is a significant change from 50 years ago.
"In 1972, the Postal Service enacted 39 C.F.R. § 232.1(l ), which provides:
"Weapons and explosives. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, rule or regulation, no person while on postal property may carry firearms, other dangerous or deadly weapons, or explosives, either openly or concealed, or store the same on postal property, except for official purposes."
https://mylegalheat.wordpress.com/2014/04/25/the-truth-about-firearms-on-post-office-property/
However, with regard to CURRENT policies, and more to the topic of this post, I did a little digging and found this:
"DoD Releases Plan to Allow Personnel to Carry Firearms on Base"
Military.com | Nov 21, 2016 | by Matthew Cox
"The Pentagon recently released detailed guidance that allows U.S. military personnel to carry privately owned, concealed firearms on base, a move that the Army's service chief argued against publicly."
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/11/21/dod-releases-plan-allow-personnel-carry-firearms-base.html
Which links to this...
DOD DIRECTIVE 5210.56
ARMING AND THE USE OF FORCE
November 18, 2016
SECTION 4: POSSESSION OF PRIVATELY OWNED FIREARMS BY DOD
PERSONNEL NOT RELATED TO THE PERFORMANCE OF OFFICIAL
DUTIES.
4.1. GENERAL. This section provides guidance for determining the eligibility of DoD
personnel to carry privately owned firearms on DoD property for personal protection when it is
not related to the performance of official duties. This section also provides requirements for
individual training, transport, safeguarding, and storage of privately owned firearms that the
arming authority must consider when determining whether to permit an individual to carry a
privately owned firearm on DoD property.
http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/521056_dodd_2016.pdf
It's not a blanket 'free carry' policy. There are restrictions. But it is a significant change from 50 years ago.
The Truth About Firearms On Post Office Property
Have you heard about the recent court ruling that overturned the ban on firearms on post office property? Online gun forums have been buzzing about it, major news outlets have written about it, and…
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
They should still be locked up in the Arms Room unless they are in Law Enforcement on a daily schedule. That's why we have Military Police and Security Forces for!
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google