Army tightens weapons policy

Fairbanks News-Miner ^ | March 19, 2006 | Margaret Friedenauer

[yarddog]

The big incident was in the parking lot of a bar. They have a fair number of firearm incidents there.

I try to stay out of bars for that reason. I have never been in a bar except when working.

[Graybeard58]

My son is required to carry his off duty but it isn't a revolver.

He can carry concealed or open but if he carries open his badge must be showing too. So he carries concealed. He says to carry open he feels like a target.

[Thunder90]

What Juristiction does he work for?

[Graybeard58]

"What Juristiction does he work for?"

I'd rather not answer that. He's a member here and I have pinged him and he can answer if he wants to or you can send him a FReepmail.

Pictures and a vanity of mine about him here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1282017/posts

And another one concerning him here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/1400633/posts

[Erik Latranyi]

The military is getting more and more ridiculous with regard to firearm handling and safety.

I have been reading horror stories about how our troops in combat zones are not always allowed to carry their weapons loaded.

There are clear barrels stationed around military camps where troops can stick their muzzles while unloading due to the high incidence of accidental discharges.

It sounds like more weapons training is needed, not more restrictions.

[phrogphlyer]

Fortunately I'm not in the Army so this story doesn't apply to me, but I could see the Navy trying something like this too.

Last summer I transferred from Pensacola to Norfolk, and for the drive up I kept my .380 on my belt. I have a Florida Concealed Weapons license, so I was legal everywhere except SC, where I had to keep the pistol in the glove box.

I got to Norfolk, and pulled over before I got to the gate. I unloaded the gun, locked it in its case, then locked it and the ammo in the trunk. When I got to the gate, I showed the guard my ID and told him, "I have an unloaded pistol locked in my trunk, and I need to go to the armory to store it." He looked at me like I had three heads, and said he had no idea what to do. He gave me directions to the base police station, and went about his business.

I went to the station and told the guy at the desk the same thing, and he said, "You better turn around right now and get the hell off base before somebody finds out and arrests you." I couldn't tell if he was more shocked or scared that I would actually have a gun in my car on base.

I ended up finding a gun store/range out in town that stored it for me for $3 a month. I still can't believe how scared the "Armed Forces" can be of firearms.

[BigH in Eagle River]

I agree with you but not this policy. I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6.

[BigH in Eagle River]

I'm still gonna carry. The object is to remain concealed until it's needed at which time if I'm defending my wife or my life.....I won't care about a court marshall.

[stevio]

This has me curious too. If you can't trust them with a weapon when off duty how do you just them with one during war time????

[Supernatural]

It has been proven time and again that your personal protection is on you, not the police.

You are smart to carry. Screw the rules, the rules are wrong.

[Donald Meaker]

The Army is doing a pretty good job in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I am pretty impressed with the current crop of soldiers and officers. I left as a Captain, and think I would have a tough time keeping up with this crew.

On the other hand, I was not bad at all during the Carter Administration. We did the transition from draft to volunteer, and for 3 years the volunteers we got weren't very good. Until Carter ruined the economy (19 percent interest, 10 percent unemployment rates, and 15 percent inflation, if I recall) Then we got some decent folks in.

[rfreedom4u]

seven other instances involving U.S. Army Alaska soldiers

I believe several of these involded idiots who accidently shot themselves in the foot or leg.

[rfreedom4u]

three Fort Wainwright soldiers currently unfolding in court. A jury is deliberating the fate of Lionel Wright, Freddy Walker and Christopher Cox

This was gang-related drive-by.