Posted on 05/19/2015 10:53:39 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Sen. Ted Cruz is asking lawmakers to consider allowing troops to carry personal firearms on base for protection, reviving a fight that has previously been a nonstarter with Congress after military leaders said they didn't support the change.
While many lawmakers are open to having a discussion on changing the rules in the Senate Committee on Armed Services, most said that they would defer issues of base security to military leaders who have historically been against allowing concealed carry on their posts.
Mr. Cruz formally sent a letter last month to Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican and chairman of the committee, asking for a hearing on the subject, saying that current restrictions impede Second Amendment rights and weaken the safety and security of troops.
The men and women in our military have been at war for over a decade; they understand the responsibilities that go along with carrying a firearm, Mr. Cruz wrote in the letter. Yet their Second Amendment rights are removed at the front gate.(continued)
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Active Duty ping.
Why not?
Absolutely.
As a civilian, I’m not sure why military leaders would be against this.
His trade vote is forgiven.
On Base yes.
Off Base they should meet the CC requirements for wherever they are stationed, and the Base Commandant should actively encourage and implement this. Wishful thinking, eh?
The problem is this. Even 100 feet outside the gate of a military installation, no member of the public should view a military member as ‘law enforcement’.
Understanding this kind of distinction is a bit much for an 18 year old on his first assignment.
NCOs and Officers should, at least, always be able to carry while on base.
Or they could arm every NCO at E-6 and over and all officers.
Because of my position I was almost always armed, even at PV1.
I would say SENIOR NCO’s and Field Grade officers, on base. I agree with the other poster about local laws while off-base.
That’s plenty of loaded weapons walking around a base, carried by people that should have long ago known the rules.
Every soldier, no matter their MOS, like every cop, should carry ALL THE TIME. No exceptions.
ALL troops should carry sidearms at ALL times, regardless.
Slightly OT but:
“Bakeneko”
Hai! wakeremas!
Great screen name.
Domo arigato gozaimashita!
Yes, please!
In the event of an accidental/negligent discharge, they might look bad to the higher-ups. The best ass-covering move is an outright ban.
Been there, done that. Vietnam era through early 70’s pay officers carried personal sidearms as it was easier than hassle of drawing from the arms room. Lots of souvenir pistols from RVN at that time, I carried mine. Then they cracked down.
Historically, personal sidearms were permitted if chambered for the issue service cartridge.
Joined National Guard in 1974 & most officers carried their own sidearms in the field. Somehow that all got swept away as MPs & CID were simply looking for excuses to bust people, IMO.
If a soldier or officer meets the standard for concealed carry & has commander’s authorization to carry based on need, then by all means make it happen. If Achmed & Hassan don’t know who’s packing on post, then it becomes a safer place.
It’s because most leaders are misanthropic by experience. They spend an inordinate amount of time dealing with problem people so they come to suspect that everyone is a more likely to be a liability than an asset. No matter how unlikely or even cosmic a misfortune might be, a military (socialist) leader is always asked: “what did you do to prevent this?” They need the political cover of someone like Ted Cruz forcing them to let trained and vetted soldiers exercise their God given rights.
I believe that Ted Cruz would perform better as Commander in Chief in his first week than Obama has done in 6 years.
what did you do to prevent this? They need the political cover of someone like Ted Cruz forcing them to let trained and vetted soldiers exercise their God given rights.
Exactly correct. You nailed the dynamics of it. Who lost their job over the Ft. Hood shooting?
And the CC requirements for wherever they are stationed need to be brought into conformity with the Constitution.
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