Army to recruiters: Treat armed citizens as security threat

[SecularMotion]

WASHINGTON — The Army has warned its recruiters to treat the gun-toting civilians gathering at centers across the country in the wake of the Chattanooga, Tenn., shooting as a security threat.

Soldiers should avoid anyone standing outside the recruiting centers attempting to offer protection and report them to local law enforcement and the command if they feel threatened, according to a U.S. Army Recruiting Command policy letter issued Monday.

Recruiters were ordered not to interact or acknowledge the armed civilians, who have been greeted by a mix of concern, indifference and gratitude by the public.

“If questioned by these alleged concerned citizens, be polite, professional and terminate the conversation immediately and report the incident to local law enforcement …,” the command advised.

http://www.stripes.com/news/us/army-to-recruiters-treat-armed-citizens-as-security-threat-1.359134

[Hoyt]

1. Those yahoos will be recruiting people for the unregulated militias.

[onehandle]

2. All armed citizens are a security threat.

They are a threat to their own families and unarmed people.

Carrying a gun in public is a threat.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

9. "Carrying a gun in public is a threat."

Do tell.

[davidpdx]

3. Good, glad to hear about the policy

Hopefully all these people will go home.

[lpbk2713]

4. Call them what they are --- they're nuts.

How can any rational individual possibly argue these clowns are performing
any kind of a public service? They are a dangerous public nuisance.

[yurbud]

5. and these guys never get around to actually enlisting

[Nuclear Unicorn]

8. What if they're prior service?

[yurbud]

11. It's hard to imagine prior service guys playing with guns in public like this

[Nuclear Unicorn]

12. That's really nothing more than supposition, then.

[DVRacer]

13. I'm prior service and I think they are nuts

Most of my buddies that were in think so too. I would not want an armed untrained individual anywhere near me. A lot of us think if theses pretenders want to join then walk inside and sign up!

[yurbud]

16. so you think it's a good idea for these guys to stand armed watch outside recruiting stations?

They could very well deter attacks on the stations, but since they are self-appointed, one of them good go George Zimmerman on someone they incorrectly profile.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

17. I said nothing about whether or not it is a good idea.

[Dale Neiburg]

6. Report incident to local law enforcement?

What exactly is local LE supposed to do if the incident is in an open-carry state? Would a complaint from the military get a response that one from a civilian wouldn't?

[dmr]

7. Cite them for loitering.

If these nuts want to hang around and play army, well, have 'em sign on the dotted line so they can 'enjoy' some real action. Simple as that.

[oneshooter]

10. Most, if not all ARE veterans. n/t

[MineralMan]

14. 'Tain't Necessarily So.

A helluva lot of open carry gun-toters are not veterans. I don't have any actual percentages, but a lot have never served and are just wannabe cops or soldiers. Why, I don't know, but that sure seems to be the case.

[DVRacer]

15. I disagree

Most of my veteran friends like me think they are nuts. Those with a CAR the most of all. I would not want either some Vietnam era or COD basement playing avenger with a firearm anywhere near me. Of course we are mostly quiet professionals and if and when we are armed we do not display it.

[Live and Learn]

18. I'd certainly feel threatened if I had to walk by them. nt