New Gun Policies Change Little at Fort Hood
Large institutions like the US military, in their haste to address scandals, are sometimes criticized for imposing policies that answer the accusations of critics rather than defending the virtues or protecting the freedoms of their members. (This was the case when the Air Force issued “Religious Guidelines” in 2005, for example.) Fort Hood, in its reaction to the recent massacre, may have made itself vulnerable to that accusation.
The Army Times reports that Fort Hood has “tightened” its firearm policy. Notably:
The policy [requiring personal weapons registration] also applies to soldiers living off post and civilian hunters if they plan to use a gun at Fort Hood.
Those who enter the post must tell guards if they have a weapon with them.
Post officials say they will increase enforcement and inspection, and those who don’t comply face penalties.
The “new policies” restrict gun-owning Soldiers without making any changes that would prevent another massacre.
While the changes were reportedly made in response to the Fort Hood massacre, Read more