XD Talk

**SonOfOdin** · 05-02-2012, 08:21 PM

VetJobs Veteran Eagle
Issue 13:05, Tuesday, May 1, 2012
VetJobs: America's Premier Job Board for Veterans

3. No Firearms on VA Properties

Kevin Secor of the VA reports that in the continuing effort of ensuring a safe and secure environment, while still providing open and accessible service, the Department of Veterans Affairs would like to remind you that possession of firearms is illegal, under Federal law, at all VA facilities and properties. This applies even to those individuals who have a State-issued permit to carry a concealed firearm. Persons found in possession of a firearm on Federal property are subject to arrest, citation, and confiscation of their firearms. So, please ensure that you leave your firearm at home, and properly stored, when you visit any of our VA facilities or properties.

This was the third item in the Vetjobs email that I receive. Lets skip to why this angers me so much. Common sense to many of us tells us that gun-free zones lead to tragic events like the Ft. Hood massacre. I was suppose to be at that building that day for some reintegration stuff, but had to stay behind at the unit to chip in and get some work done. Many of my friends from the 5-82FA were medics who responded to help people.

Veterans, we fought and many of our brothers died in the line of duty to defend the constitution. Even if the war had political reasoning, we all swore an oath because of our passion for this country and the constitution. Our hearts and minds were in the right place.

The fact of the matter is that it angers me a great deal to have my rights that I fought for first hand to be stripped away by the one organization that should understand the importance of these rights. I have to travel to the east side of Columbus, Ohio to go to the VA. For those that do not know, this is possibly the roughest side of town to travel to. My neighbors are also Army veterans with CCW permits and they have a great deal of concern with safety when traveling there.

Several months ago, there was an after work hours drug bust in the parking lot of the very same VA clinic that we must go to. I would be more compromising if I could leave my weapon in the vehicle, secured, while in the facility. But that is not good enough. No amount of rules, signs or threats of lawful action will stop a determined shooter from walking into that place and committing a heinous act.

I find it incredibly insulting that in order to visit the facility in a dangerous part of town with my significant other that I must be stripped of my rights at a basic level to ensure our safety to and from the campus. What is more insulting to me on a personal level is that as a veteran with a license to carry they have to make extra sure to point out that we are not good enough to protect ourselves. It is this protectionist mentality that directly leads to people who could otherwise protect themselves to fall victim to evil men.

Shame on you, VA. You are not doing honorable veterans any justice in my eyes.

Vhyrus · 05-02-2012, 08:49 PM

I don't deny your points nor do I disagree with you, but you have to remember there are a lot of vets with PTSD and other neurological/psychological disorders, and I think hospital staff might be worried about a gun related incident. Someone might see a gun and it will set them off or have a problem while at the facility that sets them off while they're carrying. I'm not saying you're wrong but you have to look at both sides.

Radio Relay · 05-03-2012, 11:23 AM

Not a big fan of the VA, but I go. Kind of a necessary evil, if you've got military related disabilities, or illness.

1st Cav · 05-03-2012, 12:02 PM

I'm a VN, vet and go to the VA regularly, I pack 24/7 when I get to the VA, I leave my hardware in the truck in a lock box. The VA I attend is manned by the local police and they are high profile, from the parking lot through the hospital. Have been to 3 other VA's, same way law enforcement high profile. I'm more paranoid, at Wal Mart, McDonalds, it's the news media who is your enemy. It's not the VA saying you can't carry, it's the dumb politicians who make the rules, the Va has to abide by what they say. I remember, standing down, when returning from recons, (LRRP) and leaving the firebases, for the secure area's they called them, had to unload our weapons, leave in the buildings. MP's would be on you like flies, and then you had real problems with the desk bounders.

**SonOfOdin** · 05-03-2012, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1st Cav

I'm a VN, vet and go to the VA regularly, I pack 24/7 when I get to the VA, I leave my hardware in the truck in a lock box. The VA I attend is manned by the local police and they are high profile, from the parking lot through the hospital. Have been to 3 other VA's, same way law enforcement high profile. I'm more paranoid, at Wal Mart, McDonalds, it's the news media who is your enemy. It's not the VA saying you can't carry, it's the dumb politicians who make the rules, the Va has to abide by what they say.

Hooah to that brother.

pioneer · 05-04-2012, 09:40 PM

Standard SOP for federal property.

m2jordan · 05-04-2012, 10:24 PM

Like Pioneer said, this applies to all Federal work places, buildings. I worked for the Fed Gov for 34 years counting the time I spent in the Navy. At no time was I allowed to defend myself with a firearm. It sucks, but that is the way it is. When I go to my local VA clinic I typicaly park on the street to keep my vehicle off of VA property. The really bad thing is that Fed LEO for those properties feel that the can search your vehicle any time they want. Maybe not all, but far too many.

BTW I retired from Fed service last September,and part of my job was working with LEO's.

e_lo · 05-04-2012, 11:33 PM

As said by others before, this is not the VA specifically. This is for all federal buildings, and has been so for a long time. I'm a physician and part of my time is spent at the VA hospital; I always respect the "No Weapon" signs, and hope my patients afford me the same courtesy.

velojym · 05-04-2012, 11:45 PM

Government buildings and facilities seem to be where the Bill of Rights is least respected.

...void where prohibited by law, and all that.

Radio Relay · 05-05-2012, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m2jordan

Like Pioneer said, this applies to all Federal work places, buildings. I worked for the Fed Gov for 34 years counting the time I spent in the Navy. At no time was I allowed to defend myself with a firearm. It sucks, but that is the way it is. When I go to my local VA clinic I typicaly park on the street to keep my vehicle off of VA property. The really bad thing is that Fed LEO for those properties feel that the can search your vehicle any time they want. Maybe not all, but far too many.

BTW I retired from Fed service last September,and part of my job was working with LEO's.

I went in to the Cheyenne VA hospital for a checkup. It was winter, so I was carrying my XD in the little XD-Gear plastic holster under my coat. I took the gun out and put it in the glove compartment before I went in, but left the holster on my belt ...

The doctor thought it was a cell phone holster, and thought I'd lost my cell phone. I told her it was a holster for a pistol, which I'd left in the truck. She was surprisingly very cool about it, and said it was a good idea to have a gun.

Geesh, I didn't know they would randomly search your vehicle at the VA hospital. Guess, I'll have to park off the property, and hike in, next time I go.