Fort Hood Texas, gunman has killed 11, 30 wounded, 2 additional suspects in custody

[kenyee]

Originally Posted by Fishpart

military weapons spend most of their lives locked up unless there is a specific reason to have them out. Even then there is no live ammuntion unless there is a specific (training) purpose and then it is closely controlled...

I didn't realize that. For some reason I thought it was a military base so everyone had sidearms strapped on. Sounds like it's time for a change of policy...it's ironic that no one on a military base was able to defend themselves from a guy who went postal :-P

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by kenyee

I didn't realize that. For some reason I thought it was a military base so everyone had sidearms strapped on. Sounds like it's time for a change of policy...it's ironic that no one on a military base was able to defend themselves from a guy who went postal :-P

They have Armories to keep weapons under tight control and soldiers to keep an eye on them. 40,000 soldiers under arms on a state side base, how many weapons could be lost? Temporarily misplaced, damaged or worn out? Would the local populace want them all under arms?

I would imagine some, such as the MPs, but maybe there were different priorities such as guarding the school, base housing, etc.

In any event, all we are pretty much doing is speculating at this point. We'll see more and more info in time.

[kenyee]

Originally Posted by JohnR

Would the local populace want them all under arms?

Whenever I've seen a national guardsman in uniform in MA, they've always had a sidearm and it never seemed to bother people...you'd think folks would trust soldiers to be armed like they do cops.
I always thought armories were for rifles, grenade launchers, tanks, heavy arms.

Even the media is speculating about motive at this point...lots of stories about whether he was a terrorist, etc. and lots of contradictory information...you have to wonder if some reporter is just making stuff up to get a headline

[Islander77]

Originally Posted by kenyee

I didn't realize that. For some reason I thought it was a military base so everyone had sidearms strapped on. Sounds like it's time for a change of policy...it's ironic that no one on a military base was able to defend themselves from a guy who went postal :-P

Ok son take this AR-15 go into a hot zone... Now when they start shooting at you remember this.. "YOU HAVE TO FILL OUT THIS REPORT AND THAT REPORT TO MAKE SURE YOU WERE JUSTIFIED SHOOTING BACK" The sad very sad almost disgusting state of our millitary.. Sorry guys no bs if you fire a weapon in a active war zone you have to fill out reports to make sure you were justified to fire back.... So you think just because on base and everyone has guns they can shoot to stop an issue... Oh no cause that isnt allowed we have to be concerned with the civil liberties of the people trying to shoot and kill us so we cannot fire back.... Sad when you look at this the government is more worried about the civil rights of NON AMERICANS or terrorists, or criminals.... Nice so nice... Why does our Commander in chief of our military have NO military experience none nada zip?????? ok off my soap box and onto coffee I cant keep going on this topic or its gonna get ugly and John will have to slap me around for the words I would use....

[maddmatt]

Originally Posted by kenyee

I didn't realize that. For some reason I thought it was a military base so everyone had sidearms strapped on. Sounds like it's time for a change of policy...it's ironic that no one on a military base was able to defend themselves from a guy who went postal :-P

arm the army??

what are u? some kind of whacko conservative???

someone might get hurt!

next thing u know you'll want the army to shoot bad guys.

we can't have that! the world won't like us then.

i just wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing that.

[TheSpecialist]

Originally Posted by kenyee

I didn't realize that. For some reason I thought it was a military base so everyone had sidearms strapped on. Sounds like it's time for a change of policy...it's ironic that no one on a military base was able to defend themselves from a guy who went postal :-P

After 9/11 all those vicious looking Humvees with the 50's on top guarding the canal had no ammo.. That is the liberal country we live in we don't even let our military protect themselves or us with real ammo..