By John Farnam
Ft Collins, CO –-(Ammoland.com)- The Air Force, at least, has finally seen the light!
USAF Base Commanders have been authorized to implement the carrying of guns (presumptively openly or concealed) by “selected” personnel, on and off-duty. Smart airmen, naturally, already have state-issued CCW permits, when and where possible.
However, government property has always been a fanatical “gun-free zone” (for everyone but terrorists), until now!
Nothing, it seems, is so hard to see as the obvious! Terrorists can be effectively dealt with in no other way, and, of course, everyone has known this full well for years, but the arrogant PC crowd, even within the military, has forbidden the subject from being discussed openly.
Someone up the USAF food-chain has finally cracked this ice, at great personal risk. When there is a spate of NDs, you know he (whomever he is), and his career, are toast!
We must now brace ourselves for an army of gun-hating liberal alarmists to demean the very idea and demand the policy be reversed, and the liberal media will be only too happy to endlessly shove microphones into their blistering faces. For them, dead innocent (and unarmed) victims are okay, but dead terrorists are unthinkable!
The other unspoken issue is that commanders painfully know and understand that current institutionalized pistol “training” is a joke! Even MPs carry unloaded pistols. No one trusts them with real guns. “Cold” ranges are the ossified “standard” throughout the US military, and dynamic movement, speed-reloads, and instant stoppage-reduction are unheard-of. “Training” is inspired mostly by quaint, collegial, and utterly irrelevant competitions, among people who don’t even carry guns.
After the 9/11 attacks, uniformed military personnel were deployed in domestic airports, openly carrying rifles and pistols. They tried desperately to keep it a secret, but it soon became generally known that all magazines, so prominently displayed, were empty. There was not a single, live round, anywhere in the entire airport. It was all just an empty show. “Warriors” unprepared to do battle.
What a revolting contradiction of terms! Those troopers were little more than sacrificial lambs, and this was under a Republican president!
When it has been my honor to train active-duty personnel, we, of course, run all ranges “hot,” and I can’t count the times troopers, enlisted and officers, have come up to me and said, “This is the first time in my entire military career that I’ve ever been treated like an adult on a firing range!”
In fact, we’ve had to run some of our military programs at private ranges, off-base. The entrenched “Training Prevention Department” (otherwise known as “Range Control”) went unbalanced, more than once, when they learned my students were actually running around with loaded rifles and pistols!
In any event, some unnamed hero up the USAF food-chain deserves much credit, and recognition (which he’ll never get!).
Now, how about the USMC, US Army, Navy, and Coast Guard? Are they just chopped liver?
“Like all weak men, he laid exaggerated stress on never changing one’s mind.” ~ William Somerset Maugham
/John
About John Farnam & Defense Training International, Inc
As a defensive weapons and tactics instructor John Farnam will urge you, based on your own beliefs, to make up your mind in advance as to what you would do when faced with an imminent and unlawful lethal threat. You should, of course, also decide what preparations you should make in advance, if any. Defense Training International wants to make sure that their students fully understand the physical, legal, psychological, and societal consequences of their actions or inactions.
It is our duty to make you aware of certain unpleasant physical realities intrinsic to the Planet Earth. Mr Farnam is happy to be your counselor and advisor. Visit: www.defense-training.com
Oldshooter:
And this is really dangerous. Because if you get used to thinking a weapon that looks real, is really just a prop that’s unloaded…then you will be used to thinking that a LOADED weapon is unloaded and treat it casually. Lead the way to a negligent discharge.
I agree 100% with Master Sergeant M.A. Hall’s comments. I served as a U.S.A.F. security policeman in the early 80’s. We always carried a full compliment of ammunition for our weapons. We carried the M-16, M-203 grenade launcher and M-60 machine gun and carried plenty of ammunition for each weapon. I did hear reports of the Army M.P.s and Marine M.P.’s on nearby bases carrying weapons with no ammunition. The U.S.A.F. has always trusted its security personnel to carry ammunition with their weapons. Hopefully we will see them allow all base personnel the right to defend themselves on military installations.
I used to bring my personal pistols on a reserve base all the time..We competed in a pistol league on a regular basis..Never a problem with anything..Once CLINTON became our commander and chief all personal weapons were banned from the entire base..They were never allowed back on base..Not even secured in the Main Gate SP guard shack..I have been retired since 2004 and have never returned to my base because of this policy..Not even to go to the base exchange or the commissary, as allowed per my benefits..I earned this benefit, but can’t justify traveling unarmed for over an hour… Read more »
This is a result of the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, and somehow escaped the veto hammer. The law required SECDEF to establish a procedure to allow commanders to authorize the carrying of weapons for protection. The Air Force is simply first out of the blocks. That being said, the wording is troubling. A commander could technically be in compliance with regulation by issuing a single page memorandum “selecting” the base security force as being authorized to be openly (no CCW) armed, while in uniform (essentially restricting it to those personnel on duty), with government issued weapons.
Germany in the late 50’s, at our airbase, whenever there was whenever an alert was sounded. Those of us in the maintenance squadron would line up at the armory and draw an M1 Carbine. Then we would load into trucks which would drop us off at intervals along the base perimeter fence where we would spend the next 4 – 6 hours walking back and forth in the cold with our empty M1 slung over our shoulders. They didn’t even bother to issue us “empty” magazines. We did have a bayonet though, in case the attack was real.
Good Job John, you certainly stirred up a Lot of comments. It’s a topic Long overlooked or ignored and Finally coming to the surface. In my 4 years active duty as a Marine in the early 60’s, the only time I Ever saw a loaded weapon away from the Range was when our Security Guard Detachment carried 1911’s with a magazine loaded with 5 rounds and an empty chamber, and one post carried an M1 Garand with a round chambered and safety engaged. I was also aware that the prisoner “Chasers” at Pearl carried loaded shotguns. At one point I… Read more »
Back in the late ’60s-early ’70s, I was a ship’s officer in the Navy whose duties involved handling the ship’s crypto material. I distinctly remember the rules at Subic Bay Naval Base in the Philippines, because they were so ridiculous. The Crypto material “issuing office” was located in the base HQ building, and their rules conflicted. No one was allowed to carry a weapon in the building; however, anyone picking up crypto or payroll (both used a similar heavy-duty, lockable canvas bag) was required by other regulations, to be armed. The “solution” was to say anyone carrying such a bag… Read more »
I did not even finish reading this as it was so full of BS I couldn’t do it. I have had a CCP for 35 plus years, and have been shooting and hunting for close to 50 years. I own more handguns then most gun stores (140 or so, honest). I have lived during the times of limited mags, signing for ammo, yep we had to sign for it, waiting periods, and etc. Did I like them, not really, but this not related to the crap in this article. Could you believe our military really had ammo in those mags,… Read more »
I did 30 years in the Air Force, active and reserves, and retired as an E-8 in a Security Forces Squadron. Every man (or women) I ever deployed, whether it be state side or on foreign soil was armed with a loaded rifle and often a pistol as a secondary. We were initially deployed to local international airports after 9/11 and everyone there had a loaded M-4 and a basic load of 240 rounds. We received training over and above what our small arms unit could provide and many of our folks went to Gunsite as well as attending FBI… Read more »
Wow, a soldier carrying a gun. Who would have think?
I was born at Fort Hood, Texas, and as an Army “brat” lived on military bases all my adult life until I left home to attend college. I never saw a personal firearm on a base and our family never had a firearm in our base housing the entire time I lived at home. Most civilians do not understand that our military bases are truly “gun free” zones that are a target rich environment for anyone who would desire to reek havoc among our service men and women. Even with a CCW, personal carry of firearms on most military bases… Read more »
I think your comments about firing ranges are a load of BS.
As a career reservist with 39 years in the Navy & Army I know for a fact we went to the range every year to qualify. Usually with M-16’s but also fired the 1911, the ne 9MM, M-60’s, LAW’s, etc.
This makes me question your whole article and your expertise.
You have had people thank you for being treated as an adult on the firing range ?
sound delusional to me
Allen E Michler
AW1, USNR (10 yrs)
LTC, TC, USAR (29 yrs)
This is exactly the “hollow and worthless” military force commanded by Jimmy Carter. Carter wouldn’t allow us to even load our weapons , yet he continued to us into combat zones! Our troops are trained better than any civilian how to handle high stress and combat environments. They serve in foreign countries fighting our enemies in these combat zones. The facts are that today these combat zones are now within the borders of our own country! Therefore, they should all be prepared to fight and defend themslves here ar home! All military should be authorized to carry concealed on base.… Read more »
Hello My name is Dan, I was in the navy for 17 years and in a USAF Combat outfit for 5 years before that. Now I see the fellow talking a bit o crap about the Navy. Well as a member of the Ships Security Force and a Small Arms Marksman for 22 years I can say while at sea and in foreign ports I carried weapons loaded. Mainly the 1911A1. I also trained regularly in the use of the M14, M16 (POS) and the 50 Cal. While I totally agree there was never enough range time and few received… Read more »
I’ve never seen a more insulting, condescending hit piece on the military. No doubt you have some superior skills with firearms. That goes without saying. But not everyone has the opportunities you have to hone their skills to your lofty standards. The military services do a pretty good job of taking kids off the street and turning them into the greatest fighting force in the world, and that includes the ones assigned as police and security forces. Your insulting tone is unwarranted. I honestly don’t know where you got some of this. Base police with unloaded weapons? Troopers with empty… Read more »
Base Commanders have always been allowed to authorize possession and carry of guns on post. However, as with everything in the military, the Commander would be taking on the responsibility of whatever happens as a result, be it good or bad. Line number one of a Commander’s job description reads, “Is responsible for everything the unit does, or fails to do.” So now the Air Force is setting up some standards to quantify required skills for airmen to carry. The only question will be if what amounts to a may-issue permit system will be like DC’s or New Jersey’s, or… Read more »
It’s so so SAD! Being a 5 year ex-Marine and my whole time in I worked at a small arms range and yes, me and most of the small arms couches were much more than just average shooters. Once home we couldn’t carry 🙁 but trust me WE DID & still DO! If anyone thinks for a minute that all the rifles you see strapped over the shoulders of men & women in Israel aren’t loaded you are being silly and down right dumb! Every Jarhead is trained every year in small arms and they should be armed 24/7 365!!!
As an old infantryman, it’s about time the military realize Obama is not “on the same page”?
“LOCK AND LOAD!!”
Your characterization of military weapons training is unfair and probably outdated. Before deploying to Afghanistan, we were trained not just with the typical “marksmanship” course of fire but also received training in tactical movement with live rounds. In Afghanistan we always carried our weapons with a loaded magazine inserted when on base and with (of course) round in the chamber when off base. We also ran periodic speed drills and tactical movement drills, again with live rounds. All the MPs that I’ve seen stateside carry their weapons with a loaded magazine inserted. This is also true of Navy Masters at… Read more »
Pat, that’s the reason for the Ravens, he might not carry but there’s a detail that does carry. If your son drop Paratroopers, telling thanks from an Paratrooper..
I’ve been saying this since the first Fort Hood shooting; arm a percentage of NCO’s with sidearms. They have years of experience with firearms and could safely carry without endangering anyone. It would provide a deterrent and an immediate reaction force. In the ’40’s, it was practically part of the NCO’s duty uniform: pistol belt and .45 in the issue leather holster.
My son is constantly flying missions to some very dangerous parts of the world as a crew chief in a C17 and they won’t let him take a weapon. Who ever heard of flying into a combat zone unarmed?
As an Air Force officer, it’s about damn time!
Funny that this is the first I’ve heard if it though. I’ll have to make some inquiries around my base and talk to friends at other bases and see how many of these “selected airmen” will actually be allowed to carry. You’ll have to excuse the cynicism but I’ll believe it when I see it.
It is about time someone has the balls to buck the government and let our troops be able to protect themselves. Having unarmed MP on a base is about as useful as tits on a bull. I guess if a armed intruder comes on the base they are suppose to pull out there guns and go BANG, BANG YOU ARE DEAD. What is our government thinking oops they are not. I hope to hell that we will vote people in that will take there oath to the constitution into office. If we don’t then this country is doomed.