Troops Given Green Light To Carry Personal Firearms On Military Bases
In a major policy shift, the Defense Secretary has confirmed plans to permit military personnel to bring their own firearms onto military bases. The move comes in response to recent base shootings and is rooted in Second Amendment rights.
New Directive for Personal Protection
The Defense Secretary announced in a video that he will be issuing a memo instructing base commanders to consider allowing personnel to carry their privately owned guns. The directive is based on the premise of necessity for personal protection. He emphasized that any denial of such a request would require a detailed written explanation.
"In essence, our military bases nationwide were previously gun-free zones," the Secretary stated. "Unless you were involved in training or were part of the military police force, you were not permitted to bring your personal firearm onto the base for self-protection."
Rationale Behind The Decision
This decision comes in the wake of numerous questions and concerns about the lack of access to weapons by service members, especially following several incidents of shootings on military bases. These incidents range from individual disputes between personnel to large-scale tragedies like the Texas-based military base shooting in 2009 where 13 individuals lost their lives.
The Defense Secretary referred to several such incidents in his video, including an incident last year at a base in Georgia that resulted in injuries to five soldiers. The shooter, an army sergeant, used his personal handgun before being restrained and arrested by fellow soldiers.
"In these situations, every minute can make a huge difference," he said. "Our service members have the bravery and training to make the most of these crucial, fleeting moments."
Current Policy and Controversies
Up until this new directive, the Defense Department had a policy that prohibited military personnel from carrying personal weapons on bases without a high-ranking commander's permission. There were stringent rules for firearm storage.
Typically, military personnel had to officially sign out their guns from a secure storage area to go to on-base shooting ranges or hunting areas. After their approved use, they were required to promptly return all firearms. Mostly, military police were the only ones allowed to carry arms on base, except in shooting range, training or hunting situations where soldiers could handle their service weapons, albeit without ammunition.
Despite the recent announcement, the relaxed policy has not been without opposition. A senior counsel at a prominent gun violence prevention organization has shared that both Defense Department leaders and top military officials have expressed concerns about the change. This policy was originally implemented during President George H.W. Bush's administration.
She highlighted that the majority of active duty members who commit suicide use their personal weapons, not military-issued ones. She cautioned that this new policy could lead to an increase in gun suicides and other forms of gun violence.
While the suicide rates among service members have seen a decrease in recent years, the overall suicide rates among active-duty troops have seen a gradual increase over the last decade.
"Our military installations are some of the most secure facilities in the world, and they have never been 'gun-free zones'," she said. "If there is an issue with violent crime on these bases, then it is the Defense Secretary's responsibility to inform the American public and outline his plan to combat it."