Firearms on Military Posts

[Goldspurs]

Would appreciate some input from everyone. I have been active duty Army for 15 years and will finally be stationed back in my home state of Texas, at Fort Hood, next month. I recently wrote my Representative, Jeb Hensarling, as I am still a Texas resident. The issue I wrote about was the issue of military members not being able to defend themselves while traveling to and from work, even if they are licensed to carry in the state they are stationed in. This is due to the outright ban of carrying on military installations. Many may argue that a military post is secure (not sure how they could say that after recent events), but this completely ignores the fact that many service members live off base and often have to make stops on the transit home. Also, if I want to bring my family on post to shop, or anything else, that is another instance where I must leave my firearm at home.

I received an email today saying one of Hensarling's aides would be reaching out to me over the phone. I am rather excited to actually have a response, even if it is from an aide. I am looking for any advice on how to discuss the issue. I am sure they will bring up the fact that post commanders already have the authority to allow permit holders to carry, but most of us in the service understand that no career officer is going to risk his career by being the first. As soon as any incident happens involving a firearm his career is most likely in jeopardy due to the current climate. In my opinion whether I have the right to exercise this basic right should not rest on the opinion of one individual. I recognize the military voluntarily forfeits some rights upon joining. I am not sure this is one I am willing to live without anymore. I appreciate any responses!

Edited for typos...

[justa2e2]

There isn't an outright ban on carrying your weapon on post as I am in the same situation as you. Every installation commander has the option to allow weapons on his or her installation. Here is a story about Dyess over in Abilene where the Base Commander does allow it.

http://www.dyess.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123464561

Edit: There is also talk among the ranks on some Air Force installations of allowing personnel with licenses to carry in the office as well.

[Goldspurs]

There isn't an outright ban on carrying your weapon on post as I am in the same situation as you. Every installation commander has the option to allow weapons on his or her installation. Here is a story about Dyess over in Abilene where the Base Commander does allow it.

http://www.dyess.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123464561

Edit: There is also talk among the ranks on some Air Force installations of allowing personnel with licenses to carry in the office as well.

I mentioned that in my post. I am sorry but I do not see any flag officers lining up to be the first to do is. I am Army by the way, so the "talk" in the Air Force is great, but I don't want to stop there. We need to get this right back.

Edit to add: Your link also mentions it still does not allow concealed carry on post. So once I leave post, at this one extreme example, I would have to stop outside the gates, disarm, secure my weapon, then drive on. Leaving would be reverse order.

[justa2e2]

There isn't an outright ban on carrying your weapon on post as I am in the same situation as you. Every installation commander has the option to allow weapons on his or her installation. Here is a story about Dyess over in Abilene where the Base Commander does allow it.

http://www.dyess.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123464561

Edit: There is also talk among the ranks on some Air Force installations of allowing personnel with licenses to carry in the office as well.

I mentioned that in my post. I am sorry but I do not see any flag officers lining up to be the first to do is. I am Army by the way, so the "talk" in the Air Force is great, but I don't want to stop there. We need to get this right back.

Edit to add: Your link also mentions it still does not allow concealed carry on post. So once I leave post, at this one extreme example, I would have to stop outside the gates, disarm, secure my weapon, then drive on. Leaving would be reverse order.

It does not allow concealed carry but you are allowed to keep it in your center console or glovebox. You wouldn't have to stop and secure your weapon as you can place it in your glove box or center console prior to arrival on post.

I understand where you are coming from but you have to start somewhere. I would be more than ok with being able to just bring my weapon on the installation and keep it in my car. It sure as heck beats the alternative that I live with now (parking outside the compound just to keep it in my car). I think over time we might see more and more installations allowing personal weapons on post and some might even allow it to be carried on the person. I still wouldn't expect to see anything overnight as just with anything in the military community it will take some time.

[Goldspurs]

There isn't an outright ban on carrying your weapon on post as I am in the same situation as you. Every installation commander has the option to allow weapons on his or her installation. Here is a story about Dyess over in Abilene where the Base Commander does allow it.

http://www.dyess.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123464561

Edit: There is also talk among the ranks on some Air Force installations of allowing personnel with licenses to carry in the office as well.

I mentioned that in my post. I am sorry but I do not see any flag officers lining up to be the first to do is. I am Army by the way, so the "talk" in the Air Force is great, but I don't want to stop there. We need to get this right back.

Edit to add: Your link also mentions it still does not allow concealed carry on post. So once I leave post, at this one extreme example, I would have to stop outside the gates, disarm, secure my weapon, then drive on. Leaving would be reverse order.

It does not allow concealed carry but you are allowed to keep it in your center console or glovebox. You wouldn't have to stop and secure your weapon as you can place it in your glove box or center console prior to arrival on post.

I understand where you are coming from but you have to start somewhere. I would be more than ok with being able to just bring my weapon on the installation and keep it in my car. It sure as heck beats the alternative that I live with now (parking outside the compound just to keep it in my car). I think over time we might see more and more installations allowing personal weapons on post and some might even allow it to be carried on the person. I still wouldn't expect to see anything overnight as just with anything in the military community it will take some time.

No offense, but did you not read the point of my post? I never said that I wouldn't be happy over this start. I am trying to continue the conversation.

[justa2e2]

There isn't an outright ban on carrying your weapon on post as I am in the same situation as you. Every installation commander has the option to allow weapons on his or her installation. Here is a story about Dyess over in Abilene where the Base Commander does allow it.

http://www.dyess.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123464561

Edit: There is also talk among the ranks on some Air Force installations of allowing personnel with licenses to carry in the office as well.

I mentioned that in my post. I am sorry but I do not see any flag officers lining up to be the first to do is. I am Army by the way, so the "talk" in the Air Force is great, but I don't want to stop there. We need to get this right back.

Edit to add: Your link also mentions it still does not allow concealed carry on post. So once I leave post, at this one extreme example, I would have to stop outside the gates, disarm, secure my weapon, then drive on. Leaving would be reverse order.

It does not allow concealed carry but you are allowed to keep it in your center console or glovebox. You wouldn't have to stop and secure your weapon as you can place it in your glove box or center console prior to arrival on post.

I understand where you are coming from but you have to start somewhere. I would be more than ok with being able to just bring my weapon on the installation and keep it in my car. It sure as heck beats the alternative that I live with now (parking outside the compound just to keep it in my car). I think over time we might see more and more installations allowing personal weapons on post and some might even allow it to be carried on the person. I still wouldn't expect to see anything overnight as just with anything in the military community it will take some time.

No offense, but did you not read the point of my post? I never said that I wouldn't be happy over this start. I am trying to continue the conversation.

I took it as you wanted to be able to bring your weapon on post. If I missed another point I apologize. I will always enjoy continuing the conversation of getting our rights back.

[Goldspurs]

There isn't an outright ban on carrying your weapon on post as I am in the same situation as you. Every installation commander has the option to allow weapons on his or her installation. Here is a story about Dyess over in Abilene where the Base Commander does allow it.

http://www.dyess.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123464561

Edit: There is also talk among the ranks on some Air Force installations of allowing personnel with licenses to carry in the office as well.

I mentioned that in my post. I am sorry but I do not see any flag officers lining up to be the first to do is. I am Army by the way, so the "talk" in the Air Force is great, but I don't want to stop there. We need to get this right back.

Edit to add: Your link also mentions it still does not allow concealed carry on post. So once I leave post, at this one extreme example, I would have to stop outside the gates, disarm, secure my weapon, then drive on. Leaving would be reverse order.

It does not allow concealed carry but you are allowed to keep it in your center console or glovebox. You wouldn't have to stop and secure your weapon as you can place it in your glove box or center console prior to arrival on post.

I understand where you are coming from but you have to start somewhere. I would be more than ok with being able to just bring my weapon on the installation and keep it in my car. It sure as heck beats the alternative that I live with now (parking outside the compound just to keep it in my car). I think over time we might see more and more installations allowing personal weapons on post and some might even allow it to be carried on the person. I still wouldn't expect to see anything overnight as just with anything in the military community it will take some time.

No offense, but did you not read the point of my post? I never said that I wouldn't be happy over this start. I am trying to continue the conversation.

I took it as you wanted to be able to bring your weapon on post. If I missed another point I apologize. I will always enjoy continuing the conversation of getting our rights back.

That is a piece of it. It definitely was not to debate the one small post that actually allows it (kind of). I was hoping for any feedback on the best way to approach the subject when speaking to the aide, as the other 99.999% of the military doesn't get to enjoy this.

[justa2e2]

I would imagine being upfront and honest with him will get your point across. I will try and keep this place updated on the policies if they change down here in San Antonio at any of the bases.

[gljjt]

We need a president like our Governor. Texas Military Forces (Guard) has about 25,000 soldiers, airmen and about 600 civilian employees. The Adjutant General has issued new policy that title 32 and SAD soldiers and airmen can carry concealed in uniform on Texas facilities (National Guard armories, Camp Mabry, Camp Bowie, etc.) Unless they are carrying a military issued weapon. When in civilian clothes concealed and open carry is authorized. Civilians including employees can carry concealed or open. This is all contingent on a LTC of course.

[casp625]

Would appreciate some input from everyone. I have been active duty Army for 15 years and will finally be stationed back in my home state of Texas, at Fort Hood, next month. I recently wrote my Representative, Jeb Hensarling, as I am still a Texas resident. The issue I wrote about was the issue of military members not being able to defend themselves while traveling to and from work, even if they are licensed to carry in the state they are stationed in. This is due to the outright ban of carrying on military installations. Many may argue that a military post is secure (not sure how they could say that after recent events), but this completely ignores the fact that many service members live off base and often have to make stops on the transit home. Also, if I want to bring my family on post to shop, or anything else, that is another instance where I must leave my firearm at home.

I received an email today saying one of Hensarling's aides would be reaching out to me over the phone. I am rather excited to actually have a response, even if it is from an aide. I am looking for any advice on how to discuss the issue. I am sure they will bring up the fact that post commanders already have the authority to allow permit holders to carry, but most of us in the service understand that no career officer is going to risk his career by being the first. As soon as any incident happens involving a firearm his career is most likely in jeopardy due to the current climate. In my opinion whether I have the right to exercise this basic right should not rest on the opinion of one individual. I recognize the military voluntarily forfeits some rights upon joining. I am not sure this is one I am willing to live without anymore. I appreciate any responses!

Edited for typos...

Fort Hood is rather weird on their weapons policy, at least when I was there. If you live off post, you can only bring your weapon on post if you are going to the range, it is registered with the base, and you declare it at the gate and have the appropriate paperwork. If you live in on-post housing (not barracks), you can bring it on post at will, as long as it is registered and declared at the gate, and you are going to your residence. In either case, it is suppose to be in your trunk if coming on base and you're not allowed to move about the base freely unless traveling directly to/from residence or shooting range. SO, those that live on-post actually have more privileges than those off-base.

FYI: when they do random car searches, they also use a portable wand to see if your carrying on your person

[JP171]

commander JRB Ellington disallows POF on the base, not anyone because the JRB is "secure". the Texas Adjutant may have a policy but feds prevail in this and the commander of JRB Ellington(Houston) is fed. I just took and locked my weapon in my tool box on my truck there by meeting federal requirements. I no longer go there because I have resigned after 21 years of honorable service but I still dislike the attitude of federal officers as they are conductive to bad guys(nidal Hassan) having weapons. sorry guys but it is what it is. most post commanders in the army refuse to allow weapons, there is some validity to this belief as when I was in Iraq there was a young sgt.(e-5) that decided he didn't want to walk from his LSA to the PX and commandeered a vehicle, he stopped a contractor by waving him down. when the contractor stopped the sgt told the guy to get out of the vehicle when the contractor refused because he had signed for the vehicle the young sgt used his M-4 to shoot and kill the contractor, then he pulled the body out and drove the vehicle to the PX to get his dip and a bag of jerky, a case of near beer and some candy. then was promptly arrested by MP's and hauled to jail. when the young sgt was asked why he did it he told the CID investigator it was because he didn't want to walk that far and the contractor didn't matter because he wasn't army, but "just" a civilian