I don't see another thread on this, so I'm going to share this. I just read an article on this today and, if it holds true, should be great news for our military folks!
On November 18, the Pentagon issued a Defense Department directive that will "allow Department of Defense (D0D) personnel to carry firearms and employ deadly force while performing official duties."
Commanders, O-5 and above, "may grant permission to DoD personnel requesting to carry a privately owned firearm (concealed or open carry) on DoD property for a personal protection purpose not related to performance of an official duty or status," the document states.
Applicants must be 21 years of age or older, the age many states require an individual to be to own a firearm, according to the document. Proof of compliance may include a concealed handgun license that is valid under federal, state, local or host-nation law where the DoD property is located.
"Written permission will be valid for 90 days or as long as the DoD Component deems appropriate and will include information necessary to facilitate the carrying of the firearm on DoD property consistent with safety and security, such as the individual's name, duration of the permission to carry, type of firearm, etc.," according to the document.
Until now, DoD personnel have not been authorized to carry personal firearms on military installations, a policy that has come under scrutiny in the wake of "active-shooter" attacks at U.S. military bases resulting in the deaths of service members.
Two sources: DoD Releases Plan to Allow Personnel to Carry Firearms on Base | Military.com
Pentagon to End Gun-Free Zones on Military Bases - Breitbart
So, what do you think? A good step forward? Bad idea?
My personal opinion is that this is a good step in the right direction, but one that could perhaps be taken further to assure our bases are no longer a place where spineless cowards can go in, guns blazing, and our military folks are sitting ducks.
On November 18, the Pentagon issued a Defense Department directive that will "allow Department of Defense (D0D) personnel to carry firearms and employ deadly force while performing official duties."
Commanders, O-5 and above, "may grant permission to DoD personnel requesting to carry a privately owned firearm (concealed or open carry) on DoD property for a personal protection purpose not related to performance of an official duty or status," the document states.
Applicants must be 21 years of age or older, the age many states require an individual to be to own a firearm, according to the document. Proof of compliance may include a concealed handgun license that is valid under federal, state, local or host-nation law where the DoD property is located.
"Written permission will be valid for 90 days or as long as the DoD Component deems appropriate and will include information necessary to facilitate the carrying of the firearm on DoD property consistent with safety and security, such as the individual's name, duration of the permission to carry, type of firearm, etc.," according to the document.
Until now, DoD personnel have not been authorized to carry personal firearms on military installations, a policy that has come under scrutiny in the wake of "active-shooter" attacks at U.S. military bases resulting in the deaths of service members.
Two sources: DoD Releases Plan to Allow Personnel to Carry Firearms on Base | Military.com
Pentagon to End Gun-Free Zones on Military Bases - Breitbart
So, what do you think? A good step forward? Bad idea?
My personal opinion is that this is a good step in the right direction, but one that could perhaps be taken further to assure our bases are no longer a place where spineless cowards can go in, guns blazing, and our military folks are sitting ducks.