Will the Department of Defense amend its policies regarding troops carrying private firearms on military bases?
More importantly, should it?
In comments made last week following the school shooting in Parkland, Fla., President Donald Trump told attendees of the Conservative Political Action Conference he would re-examine these policies. Currently, only those engaged in law enforcement or related duties can carry firearms on base, though military commanders have the authority to grant additional permissions.
The Pentagon says it has not yet received any directive from the White House to update this policy, and Lt. Gen. (ret.) Guy Swan, former commander of U.S. Army North, isn’t sure the DoD should rush to make changes. He shared his thoughts with The Cipher Brief.:
This was a hotly debated issue after the 2015 Chattanooga recruiting station shooting. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter did a thorough review along with the military services and crafted the policy that was promulgated in DOD Directive 5210.56.
As I reviewed this policy, it still seems to be a reasonable approach.
While it is a Pentagon-wide policy it delegates key decision authority to the military services and ultimately to installation commanders. Local commanders have the best sense of the environment, threats and hazards, and personnel in their local area.
The checklist of requirements and standards to be met before permitting or requiring the arming of military personnel who are not in a law enforcement role seems reasonable.
Clearly, after major incidents like the Parkland, Fla., shootings, it is wise to review all policies and procedures based on the lessons learned that come out of the incident.
I believe that the Defense Department should review the directive, but not make any hasty, premature, or knee-jerk changes to what appears to be a sound policy.
To read the current Pentagon policy on the carrying of private firearms by troops, DoD Directive 5210.56, click here.
