U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Ted Cruz is encouraging Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain to hold hearings on the U.S. military’s practice of barring soldiers with carry permits from carrying firearms on base.
For years, U.S. commanders have argued that only military police should carry a gun. However, recent murders on bases have exposed the harsh consequences of this “gun-free zone” policy. Data generated by the success of civilian carry is overwhelming: U.S. violent crime rates continue to drop, and crime rates among permit holders is far lower than among the general population.
Also, there is precedent for on-base carry. Former Army Ranger Chuck Holton, a frequent NRA American Warrior contributor, tells A1F that soldiers are armed on U.S. bases in Afghanistan, and the result is a respectful, polite and safe environment.
Why, then, should our soldiers be left defenseless in a potentially hostile environment on U.S. soil?
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