Goldang Clinton, undermining the military! Have you heard? Bill C. took the guns away from soldiers–on their own bases! They said so on the TV!
However, the Department of Defense directive stating this policy dates to February of 1992. That would be under the administration of Bush the Elder. And the same directive remained in effect under the Cheney administration, when executive orders were flying out of the Bush pen like those monkeys in Wizard of Oz. That may well have something to do with the Secretary of Defense under Bush I– Dick Cheney.
The subsequent regulation updating those weapons policies did arrive in March, 1993, courtesy of the U.S. Army, while Clinton was president. (The 1992 directive does, however, clearly say “effective immediately.”)
Here’s the Defense Department directive text. It’s as if these experts in firearm use understand that arming everyone, as the kneejerk NRA crowd endlessly and loudly calls for, is not the way to achieve fewer shootings:
It is DoD Policy:
1. To limit and control the carrying of firearms by DoD military and civilian personnel. The authorization to carry firearms shall be issued only to qualified personnel when there is a reasonable expectation that life or DoD assets will be jeopardized if firearms are not carried. Evaluation of the necessity to carry a firearm shall be made considering this expectation weighed apainst the possible consequences of accidental or indiscriminate use of firearms. DoD personnel regularly engaged in law enforcement or security duties shall be armed.
If the Department of Defense of a Republican administration thinks trained soldiers ought not walk around armed, where does that leave the NRA folks? Apparently in the unmilitarized zone where “accidental and indiscriminate use of firearms” happens far more more often than the stopping of mass shootings.
Note that the “ban” that supposedly makes bases “gun-free zones” still allows for law enforcement and security personnel on bases to carry firearms.
Not that the conservative echo chamber will note or care about the contrary details above…
