A Monday article posted at MilitaryTimes.com reports that a new Pentagon policy allows U.S. military personnel to request permission to carry concealed handguns at government facilities—even “for personal protection not associated with the performance of official duties.”
One of the effects, said Defense Department spokesperson Maj. Jamie Davis, is that “it is very clear now that the commanders have that authority (to arm recruiters) to use at their discretion.”
Davis said the directive is the result of years of work, starting in the aftermath of the 2009 attack at Fort Hood, Texas. Work was accelerated after another attack at Fort Hood in 2014, and the 2015 attack in Chattanooga, Tenn. In all those cases, military policy barred the victims from carrying firearms for personal defense.
Troops can now be armed at recruiting stations and reserve centers if their commanders approve. Servicemen and women must be 21 to apply, and are subject to records checks by both military and civilian authorities.
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