Army Requiring Weapons Registration OFF-POST?

RichL025 · 04-02-2011, 17:41

I know this has gone around in the past, after the Ft. Hood shootings and such, but does anyone know if there has ever been an official determination of the legality of requiring soldiers who live off-post to register their weapons?

AFAIK, all previous "registration" requirements only concerned if you were going to bring the weapon on-post for any reason (range, hunting, etc, or if you lived in family quarters on-post).

I just saw a copy of a memo filtering down my chain of command about a new commander, who is "very concerned" about weapons accidents, and asked his subordinate commanders "what do we know about (our soldiers) who own weapons off-post"?

I'm concerned about my chain of command officially asking me whether or not I own, and asking me to provide a list.

alelks · 04-02-2011, 18:05

Maybe he should have people register their trampolines instead as they GREATLY outnumber gun accidents.

scooter · 04-02-2011, 20:48

Most smart commanders learned a long time ago that it isnt a smart idea to issue an order that they knew wouldn't be obeyed. If an order to register or report off post weapons ever came down, Especially in USASFC, it would go over like a lead balloon.

Stras · 04-02-2011, 21:34

The Fort Carson Garrison Commander tried this in Colorado back in 1997. NRA stepped in and it died a quick painfull death.

I believe it as in regards to the 2nd Ammendment Right that was being infringed upon.

I would think this is the same as your unit knowing whether you are a Republican or a Democrat. None of their business.

Stras · 04-02-2011, 21:40

good luck enforcing this order with my wife to register her firearms with the military. She's not a member.

scooter · 04-03-2011, 08:21

Excellent point. "I don't own any firearms Sir, they're all the wife's...."

JimP · 04-03-2011, 09:06

Stras - it wasn't the NRA that stepped in on that issue. Somehow, "someone" notified a few folks in Congress who started to ask some questions. The original edict was coming down from FORSCOM. They retracted it and then the Pentagon weenies went on a hunt for the source of the leak.

Seemed the Brass wasn't real fond of the 2d amendment. Funny how certain things don't change.

As to the OP, this pops up every few years - our current risk-averse leadership isn't fond of the troops having weapons and they simply aren't "gun people". Word usually gets out and the press and Congress start to ask some questions and the "rule/policy" fades quietly away.