Lots of pundits are making comparisons between mass shootings at Virginia Tech two years ago and the shootings today at Ft. Hood, Texas.
No one that I’ve heard has yet pointed out the biggest point in common… both shootings happened in areas where concealed carry was NOT permitted.
The shootings at Ft. Hood struck home to me today because at the same time they were happening I was strolling the aisles of the PX at Ft. Benning, GA. Earlier, I’d stowed my concealed carry weapon at my hotel because Army bases do not allow concealed carry.
I was perfectly comfortable ditching my gun in my suitcase for the flight here. After all, I was at an equal disadvantage because everybody was checked. But as I entered Ft. Benning today, and nobody searched myself or my car, I felt quite fully that I had unilaterally disarmed.
If the madman had been deploying to Iraq from Georgia, I might have found myself in a horrible situation and unable to defend my son, self or others.
When I heard the General commanding Ft. Bliss tell of his soldiers fine reaction under fire and afterwards – they blocked doors, they applied their combat life saving techniques – I couldn’t help but wish the Army command trusted their soldiers to also handle defending themselves at home as much as when they deploy.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Can you picture unit cohesion in an Army where everyone carries a concealed weapon for defense against fellow soldiers? Some threats that are so rare that preparing for them costs more than the loss if they occur. Carrying concealed weapons in such a world is an example of the precautionary principle that global warming opponents reject. In general, people are not consistent in their attitudes toward the precautionary principle and they view the data about the risk and loss with a bias based on other principles.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
I guess what you are saying is the ones that defend our Constitutional rights lose theirs when the sign up? Sounds like they have already payed a high price.
I try to avoid places where even as a cop I can’t carry ( Disneyland, baseball games). What will it take for the liberal gun-grabbers to get it? They are getting people killed with these laws that prohibit concealed carry.
Coincidentally, as this was happening I was at ProForce law enforcement gun store looking at compact 1911 .45′s for off-duty carry. Not that I am without off-duty weapons; I have several. But I’ve been thinking a .45 is a good idea.
I feel sorry for civilans who are forced to be sheep but not for the ones who choose to be sheep. The wolves are out there; we need more shepards.
November 6th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Everyone need not carry, just those inclined. And yes, I can envision the fine young men I’m meeting here at Ft. Benning carrying just fine.
Tying precaution to carrying to global warming rejection is stupid. I’ve been in three situations personally where a gun would have been very handy. I personally have seen crime and I’ve known personally two people injured in hostage situations. They wish they’d had a gun.
It isn’t right for some people And I’d be fine with unit commanders having discretion over who could or couldn’t carry.
An army used to carrying guns will be a better Army.