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I think a lot of people tend to be under the assumption that the military has enough training to carry loaded weaponry around safely all the time. This is not the case. Go to any place there are guns (shooting range, firing line, gun show, gun shop) and you will see that safety is the number one priority. Not necessarily safety from other people and/or shootings like this, but safety from accidental discharge. When you are away from the firing line, mags are out, chambers are cleared and safeties are on. It’s no different here, really. I don’t believe that it’s 100% of a PC decision... even though that may be a part of it. It’s more for a stop-gap against accidents than anything else.

We may not see mags loaded in the guns, but that doesn’t mean they are defenseless. These guys are trained to load a gun and shoot in a matter of seconds.

These guys are trained to load a gun and shoot in a matter of seconds.

An attack on the checkpoint would be over in a matter of seconds. I don't think you understand how long a second is under such circumstances.

...you will see that safety is the number one priority.

That's like not wearing a seat belt until you're sure the car is about to crash.

Not at the best schools. Having learned assorted lessons, many/most serious ranges have gone "hot". Training people to go "cold" gets people killed. Yes, there is risk at "hot" ranges - but military training MUST accept those risks, lest they lose more in the field. The situation in question isn't about training, it's about actual protection of a high-risk high-value target. You fight as you train - you practice "cold", you'll fight "cold". We've seen this many times, and many died thanks to such bureaucratic sentiments.

Rule #1 is "all guns are always loaded" - not just so you'll treat it like it's dangerous, but so it will be when you need it to be.

I think a lot of people tend to be under the assumption that the military has enough training to carry loaded weaponry around safely all the time. This is not the case. Go to any place there are guns (shooting range, firing line, gun show, gun shop) and you will see that safety is the number one priority. Not necessarily safety from other people and/or shootings like this, but safety from accidental discharge. When you are away from the firing line, mags are out, chambers are cleared and safeties are on. It’s no different here, really. I don’t believe that it’s 100% of a PC decision... even though that may be a part of it. It’s more for a stop-gap against accidents than anything else. We may not see mags loaded in the guns, but that doesn’t mean they are defenseless. These guys are trained to load a gun and shoot in a matter of seconds.

Old deck hand...maybe in the Navy that is how you do business. But here in the Army that is not how we are trained. All of these Soldiers are trained weekly on proper weapon use. Remember our mission is not to sit on a Navy ship or on an airbase...Our is being in urban training in tihgt conditions where accidental discharge is a big no no. If you read my profile, you will see that I am active duty senior NCO in the Army. This is a political correctness decision and it is demeaning to all the Soldiers.