In move spurred by terror attacks, military personnel can apply to carry privately owned firearms

Brett T. | 11:16 PM on November 21, 2016

In a policy shift reportedly set in motion by that deadly act of “workplace violence” at Fort Hood in 2009, military personnel now will be able to apply for permission to carry privately owned firearms for personal protection while at government facilities.

The Army Times reports that a new Defense Department directive also clarifies when military recruiters can be armed. In July 2015, Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez killed four Marines and wounded a police officer at a recruitment center in Chattanooga, Tenn., before fatally wounding a Navy sailor at a separate location. A Navy commanding officer was found to have used his personal firearm to return fire during the attack.

Acknowledging domestic terror threat, Pentagon says troops, recruiters can carry concealed guns https://t.co/dNyeyP7bNS pic.twitter.com/EBXr43WcYt

— ArmyTimes (@ArmyTimes) November 22, 2016

The Army Times adds that there are a number of stipulations:

Those wishing to carry a concealed personal firearm on Defense Department property must apply for permission. They have to be at least 21 years old and meet all federal, state and local laws and host-nation requirements …

The individual military services will determine requirements for those who will grant conceal-carry requests, the directive says. Those officials must have a minimum rank of lieutenant colonel, commander or the civilian equivalent.

“These authorizations will be for a maximum of 90-calendar-day increments and may be renewed for as long as the threat or circumstance necessitating arming exists,” according to the directive.