Quote Originally Posted by Stan View Post
Exactly !
There's already enough going on in the BEQ and now we will introduce loaded weapons
Good points, but Sgt. Koenig raises some as well. In particular, it seems bizarre that soldiers on a base like Ft. Hood would be that vulnerable to a nut/fanatic.

On the one hand, we need to recognize the current need for increased, on the spot, immediate response. Terrorism is not a criminal problem, it is a national defense problem. e.g. If Slap is called to a bank robbery in progress, he can be reasonably certain that the robbers aren't going to indiscriminately kill everyone in the bank while he's en route. Law enforcement can contain the situation and negotiate with the perpetrators. That approach is a flat, costly failure with terrorists, or even straight forward mental cases, as Breslan, Ft. Hood and many other situations demonstrates.

On the other hand, having a lot of firearms available can create problems, not only in the BEQ, but anywhere on base where young soldiers, alcohol and women are mixed. (The three things that should never be mixed with alcohol are gasoline, gunpowder and women. )

Maybe the right approach is to simply increase the number of people who are always armed on duty. Something along the lines of all officers (commissioned and warrant) and NCOs at E-6 and above. That increases the likelihood of armed response to an attack while the attack is in progress, while avoiding the worst of the disciplinary problems.