Why Military Bases Should Never Have Been Gun-Free Zones

It may seem hard to believe, but with the exception of a very limited group of personnel, the military has treated its bases as gun-free zones. Until Thursday, only designated security forces – such as military police – could carry firearms while on duty. Commanders severely punished any other soldier caught carrying a weapon, with penalties ranging from demotion and forfeiture of pay to court-martial, dishonorable discharge, criminal conviction, and even imprisonment.