About that shooting in Quantico.

[Cleita]

Here's the story:http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324103504578375693357309694.html

Doesn't this blow away the theory of the NRA that you need to be armed to end gun violence. Isn't that a military installation? Isn't it full of guns and armed personnel?

[MotherPetrie]

1. So was Ft. Hood.

[MineralMan]

2. Military personnel are not armed in barracks

in the US. So no.

[Cleita]

3. Aw c'mon there are armed guards around doing security just in case

someone goes coo coo.

[MineralMan]

6. Not in the barracks.

The only armed people on that base would be Shore Police. Just like in any city, except that personal weopons aren't allowed in quarters.

[Chuuku Davis]

16. I don't think you have been on a base

Armed guys at the gates, and they are often civilian contractors
That is about it

Look and see who stopped the Fort Hood terrorist

[Cleita]

18. I have, but that was back in the fifties and sixties, a totally different world

than today. The first time I ever shot a gun was with my army boyfriend and it was on the base.

[meadowlark5]

4. And this marine was a perceived good guy with a gun nt

[graham4anything]

5. As always, the guns were legal.

[MineralMan]

7. No, not in the barracks.

No personsl weapons, and other weapons are not kept in US barracks.

[NutmegYankee]

8. Actually, most personnel in non-war zones are not armed.

Especially in the barracks.

[flying rabbit]

9. Gibbs must have been elsewhere. nt

[Lurks Often]

10. Not in the slightest

You may have DOD or Military Police or security who may or may not be armed at the gates to get in, you would have armed DOD or Military Police at any sensitive/classified parts of the base. The rest of the base would be patrolled in a manner similar to a civilian town of comparable size.

The only people to routinely carry a loaded firearm on duty at a military bases would be DOD or Military Police and POSSIBLY armed troops guarding very sensitive or highly classified areas such as nuclear weapons or nuclear weapons depot.

[Cleita]

11. So they aren't worried that terrorists might want to come in

and do damage? It doesn't sound like Homeland Security really thinks terrorists are a threat that military bases would be so vulnerable. I don't believe they would do that.

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. Non critical areas are inside a perimeter

That can be locked down and put on tight security within them minutes flat.

[NutmegYankee]

13. Well, you have to get through the gate first. nt

[Lurks Often]

15. Access to a military base is not easy

You have to get past gate guards that are almost certainly armed and who check id on everybody. I find it very likely that since 9/11 that there is a quick response squad in armored HUMVEES armed with machine guns on duty or stationed near the gates if there are plausible threats.

The sensitive areas are deep with the base and far from the populated base and well guarded.

A terrorist wants to get the most out of their effort. They can kill far more people and cause more terror by attacking civilian targets which are easier to hit.

Despite the contempt many hold for the CIA, FBI and the various other letter agencies, they have done a very good job of preventing another major terrorist attack here in the US.

[Cleita]

17. So you are proving my point that there are quick response squads.

Yet.......???

[Lurks Often]

19. Meaning what?

I said it is probable there are quick response squads on duty, at least for some of the higher profile major bases like Quantico. They would have nothing to do with the murder-suicide that took place.

A military police* fire team is made up of 3 people, with 3 fire teams making up a squad. That is presuming the unit is at full strength. Depending on the base, maybe you have one fire team per entrance. The number of entrances open will depend on the size of the base, the time of day, the current threat level and probably a couple more variables I haven't thought of. They would be the ones in the armored HUMVEE with a 50 Caliber machine gun mounted on top.

Military Police can have a number of functions:
Garrison, which is essentially the same as police
Corrections, they man the military prisons
EPW, they man enemy prisoner of war camps, usually come from the reserves or National Guard
Combat Support: patrol roads, protect supply convoys, protect senior officers, protect headquarters, protect camps or installations and some more I've forgotten.

[Chuuku Davis]

14. Uh NO

You can go MILES on a base without seeing an MP or armed soldier.