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Hegseth goes to war for the Second Amendment
American Thinker ^ | 5 Apr, 2026 | Mike McDaniel

Posted on 04/05/2026 6:12:40 AM PDT by MtnClimber

When I served in the USAF as a security policeman, we were among the very few airmen or officers allowed to carry weapons on base. There are the “rivet counters,” airmen armed with rifles—M-16s back then, M4s now—who guard aircraft, missiles and related installations. And there are traditional police officers who in those days carried S&W Model 15 “Combat Masterpiece” .38 Special revolvers. We were issued 18 rounds of lead, round -nosed .38 special ammunition, and no speed loaders. Alert aircrew were allowed to carry revolvers, but only when climbing aboard their bombers and other aircraft.

Then, as now, most military bases are protected by nothing more than chain link fences and the few military cops who try to cover enormous tracts of open land. Sure, there are several gated access points on bases, IDs are checked and there are a few other security measures, but searches of persons or vehicles are uncommon, and dangerous military members, like criminals everywhere, don’t obey the law, particularly not while contemplating mass murder.

Most Americans don’t know this. Our continental US—CONUS—bases, repositories for everything from pistols to heavy weapons to nuclear weapons, are scarcely safer than blue cities where Democrats do everything they can to strip the law abiding of arms while simultaneously coddling criminals. Aware of the issue, the first Trump Administration talked about doing something about it but didn’t follow through. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, is following through.

War Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memo on Thursday ordering a major shift in base security policy, allowing service members to request permission to carry personal firearms for self-defense amid growing concerns about threats on U.S. installations.

In an announcement on social media, Hegseth said all American citizens have a God-given right under the Second Amendment to carry weapons for protection.

(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: Military/Veterans; Society
KEYWORDS: banglist
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To: jospehm20

Good point.


21 posted on 04/05/2026 8:55:38 AM PDT by piytar (NEVER FORGET Ashli Babbitt, Rosanne Boyland, Corey Comperatore, Iryna Zarutska, and Charlie Kirk!)
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To: puppypusher

Well said


22 posted on 04/05/2026 9:00:42 AM PDT by 5Madman2 (Practicing random acts of Douchebaggery whenever possible)
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To: MtnClimber
"Apparently, service members will have to request their rights and may be denied by installation commanders who will have to put denials in writing."

I would expect most to be denied, because Obama/Biden purges have left too many DEI and feeble minded in senior positions. All service members should automatically have the right to carry, if active operations give them the option being armed.

23 posted on 04/05/2026 9:03:12 AM PDT by Retain Mike ( Sat Cong)
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To: OKSooner

To clarify, it is a STEP in the right direction.


24 posted on 04/05/2026 9:55:50 AM PDT by Mr Rogers
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To: jospehm20
They had a field grade officer kill a bunch of soldiers on Fort Hood.

Sudden Jihad Syndrome ...

There should have been a bunch of armed soldiers to end the SOB.

25 posted on 04/05/2026 10:00:01 AM PDT by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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To: Mr Rogers

Thank you.

Have a blessed Easter.


26 posted on 04/05/2026 10:04:18 AM PDT by OKSooner (Susie might be Rasputin.)
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To: T.B. Yoits
a unit versus unknown trainees, especially the first time away from home and struggling with personal issues.

When I was in basic, one trainee in my company attempted suicide by jumping off the second floor balcony with a thin rope around his neck. The rope broke and he was unsuccessful. He was a pudgy, out of shape blob that should never have been drafted anyway.

27 posted on 04/05/2026 10:34:24 AM PDT by Hot Tabasco
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To: MtnClimber

How many Post Commanders are likely to approve the “requests” to practice a right recognized in our constitution?


28 posted on 04/05/2026 1:34:12 PM PDT by JimRed (TERM LIMITS, NOW! Finish the damned WALL! TRUTH is the new HATE SPEECH! )
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To: JimRed

I knew people that carried concealed on bases. Sure there were random car searches, but they were carrying concealed on person and concealed is concealed. I never knew of one who was caught.


29 posted on 04/05/2026 1:41:42 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery, wildlife and climbing, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: chopperk
Second Amendment is what keeps America free.

We don't seem to be very free.

30 posted on 04/05/2026 2:55:13 PM PDT by wastedyears (The attempted sinking of the USS Liberty was a war crime. They are not our friend and ally.)
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To: MtnClimber

They also prayed their space crapper keeps working.


31 posted on 04/05/2026 9:34:37 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Secret Agent Man
They also prayed their space crapper keeps working.



32 posted on 04/06/2026 10:14:29 AM PDT by T.B. Yoits
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To: T.B. Yoits

:)


33 posted on 04/07/2026 5:10:08 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; not averse to Going Bronson.)
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