Shouldn’t Our Military Members Be Able To Protect Themselves? [OPINION]

I believe it is way past time for our military to be able to carry a sidearm at all times so that they can better protect themselves.

If you agree, please commit to calling or writing your representatives and let them know how you feel. With the recent tragedy in Tennessee that left four Marines dead, this policy needs to be changed as soon as possible.

It's ridiculous that I am better protected on the streets than our military. Our brave men and women have sworn an oath to "protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic . . . ." That "domestic" thing is pretty difficult to do considering soldiers haven't been allowed to carry a firearm on their home soil since 1992.

According to TheBlaze.com

 It appears this “gun-free zone” type policy can actually be traced back to Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 5210.56, signed into effect in February 1992 by Donald J. Atwood, deputy secretary of defense under President George H.W. Bush. 

The controversial directive states that “it is DoD Policy” 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,” it says.

At first, I was under the impression it was an executive order issued by the Clinton Administration. That was wrong. It actually took place during the George H.W. Bush Administration. And, it was not an executive order at all. It was a Department of Defense Directive. So, this means it should be able to be undone without too much difficulty. I guess.

I'm going to call my representatives and demand that the rule be changed as soon as possible. I don't see why officers and most non-commissioned officers, who are fully qualified of course, as well as military police, can't be carrying something at all times. How many more of our soldiers have to be slaughtered here at home before our elected officials get off their collective backsides and demand the DoD do something?

So, I'm going to contact my elected officials. Won't you join me?

If you're not sure who your elected officials are, you can go here and find out with your zip code.

If you live in Southwest Arkansas then your representative is Congressman Bruce Westerman.

If you would like to send him an email there is a two-step process for doing that. Go to his Contact Page and get started.

For snail mail or phone calls here are two office locations you can use:

Washington Office

130 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3772
Fax: (202) 225-1314

El Dorado Office
101 N. Washington Ave.
Suite 406
El Dorado, Ark. 71730
Phone: (870) 864-8946
Fax: (870) 864-8958

Arkansas Senators

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For District 4 in the Great State of Texas your representative is Congressman John Ratcliff.

If you would like to send him an email there is a two-step process for doing that. Go to his Contact Page and get started.

For snail mail or phone calls here are two office locations you can use:

Washington Office
325 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6673
Fax: (202) 225-3332

Texas Senators