That was written before S&W introduced the Model 500 revolver chambered for the .500 S&W round.
Posted on 03/19/2006 8:25:01 PM PST by Graybeard58
A new U.S. Army Alaska policy penned this week forbids soldiers from carrying privately owned concealed weapons in public, despite being stationed in a state with one of the most liberal concealed weapons laws in the country.
The move, officials said, is in response to several incidents involving soldiers and their personal concealed weapons.
"In the last six to eight months, there has been a number of incidents involving soldiers and privately-owned concealed weapons that indicated a need to look at this policy," said Maj. Kirk Gohlke, U.S. Army Alaska public affairs officer.
Gohlke noted the trial of three Fort Wainwright soldiers currently unfolding in court. A jury is deliberating the fate of Lionel Wright, Freddy Walker and Christopher Cox, who are on trial for the August death of Alvin "Snoop" Wilkins. The three soldiers claim self defense in brandishing personal weapons during a confrontation that killed Wilkins.
Gohlke said there have been seven other instances involving U.S. Army Alaska soldiers and personal concealed weapons in Fairbanks and Anchorage although he couldn't comment on specifics.
According to the new policy, "Soldiers who fail to comply are subject to adverse administrative action or punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice or both."
U.S. Army Alaska also prohibits anyone--military or civilian--from having or transporting a concealed weapon at any time on a USARAK installation, a policy that has been in place for some time.
But Alaska law is much less restrictive. Gov. Frank Murkowski in 2003 signed into law a bill that allowed citizens to carry a concealed handgun in public without a permit.
Included in the 2003 law is that local governments cannot change the state gun law to be more open or more restrictive, but the U.S. Army Alaska can enforce policies more restrictive than state law.
Local firearms instructor Joe Nava said there are still benefits of getting a concealed firearm permit, although the state doesn't require it.
Those that acquire a permit are eligible to buy a gun from a dealer without a background check, are allowed to carry a concealed weapon in 29 other states and are entered into the police computing system as a permit holder.
But while Nava encourages permitting, he doesn't agree with the Army's policy. He said it's a right given under the U.S. Constitution and state law for soldiers, like any citizen or resident of the state, to have and carry personal weapons.
"The military is taking away (soldiers') ability to protect themselves off base and that's not right," Nava said.
But Gohlke said the policy is specific only to concealed weapons and does not affect weapons for recreation and hunting.
The policy is meant to create a safer environment for soldiers and communities, not to infringe on personal rights.
"Our interest here is simply to protect the health and welfare of soldiers and promote good order and discipline," Gohlke said. "The intent is not to restrict soldiers' rights."
Staff writer Margaret Friedenauer can be reached at 459-7545 or by e-mail at mfriedenauer@newsminer.com .
For active duty soldiers, you are never really off duty so the USA can control this. But this is a clear case of CYA here.
The military has long had these policies. Certain branches in the military, and those include the Military Police and the JAG Corps, are made up mostly of GFW's (look it up at Kim du Toit's site) and led by girls (of both XY and XX chromosomes, but girls nonetheless).
Not surprising that it's from these branches that the military's gun grabbers, and the Democrats' "veteran" candidates, come from.
"What did you do in the Army, granpa? Were you a hero in Iraq?"
"No, grandson, I was a lawyer in Alaska, safe and comfortable, working about 20 hours a week to try to put soldiers in Leavenworth for possessing handguns."
However, every Army lawyer we can have in Alaska trying to screw the troops, is one who isn't in the combat zone trying to aid the enemy.
d.o.l.
Criminal Number 18F
The liberal was posted to AK because it is a low priority.
Ef it, I'd carry anyway.
The general is probably a Clinton holdover. He is in AK, and NOT in IRAQ because of this
They say that the most important thing to do if you are carrying a handgun for protection against grizzly bears is to file the front sight down. That way it doesn't hurt so much when the bear shoves it up your ass.
-ccm
Wilkins went looking for trouble and found more than he bargained for. Too bad.
The policy of "no concealed carry on post" even in those states that allow it has been in place for many many years now. The Joint Chiefs have never overturned that. Why do you think they would overrturn this? And the JCS doesn't get involved in this kind of thing anyway, it's always left up to those in charge locally. I think you're wrong.
Depends on the state. Here in Texas open carry is illegal unless you are a LEO.
Big deal. If this man approached their car with a shotgun (loaded or unloaded) and made threats-- especially if he pointed it anywhere near them-- then it's a clean shoot in self defense, and the three soldiers are heroes. Praiseworthy homicide, to use Mark Twain's term.
Each testified to hearing shots that night. Some said they heard shotgun rounds and pistol rounds, and others said they could not specify what kind of firearms they heard.
I've shot tens of thousands of rounds from dozens of models of rifles, shotguns, and pistols. I could tell a small caliber pistol from a centerfire rifle or shotgun, but I would find it impossible to tell an AK-47 report from that of a 12-ga. shotgun, at least to the degree of certainty required to put a man behind bars.
-ccm
Yep, here in Illinois you might go to jail for thinking about carrying a gun.
Alaska carry law states that any citizen who has the RIGHT to, may carry concealed OR open a firearm, without permit. It goes on to say that no Borough(counties) may impose a law stricter than that set forth by the state govt. The only places that a weapon CANT be carried are state and federal office buildings, and Govt schools. Banks used to be off limits, but that law was repealed a few years ago, so you can carry, concealed or open in a bank in AK.
That was written before S&W introduced the Model 500 revolver chambered for the .500 S&W round.
I want one. How much?
Agreed. Same fact situation, but with the car marked "POLICE", and nobody would be on trial.
"bout 995 for a S&W Model 500 here at the Fred Meyers in Wasilla
Alaska is ok to carry concealed without a permit. Im sure its ok to carry in the open. New Mexico is open carry only ( at least it was a few years back) and in Kansas open carry is ok. (With restrictions, of course, just like concealed carry.)
Definatly best to know the rules.
I have always thought that if I was carrying a gun, if everyone around me knew that I was, it was ok with me. Not being bold or anything but the possibility of me pulling and using it is made obvious to everyone, and is in direct proprtion to any threat around me.
Oh barf. Here, let me pull this little phrase out of my bag of phrases so they'll leave me alone.
I've never understood why the Army makes it so damn difficult to have a personally owned weapon on post. I knew a guy that got busted just for having a few .45 rounds in his desk.
Utterly ridiculous.
Does this apply to the Alaskan National Guard???
Oh another thing about carrying in AK, If you are pulled over, the only thing you have to do is inform the officer that you have a firearm in the vehicle. thats all they want to know, its not illegal, they just want to know
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