Fairfax, Va. (NRA-ILA) – President Barack Obama signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). It includes several NRA-backed provisions — expanding gun rights on stateside military bases; prohibiting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from banning traditional ammunition; and saving taxpayer dollars by allowing gun collectors to buy vintage military surplus pistols.
The NDAA includes an NRA-backed provision requiring the Secretary of Defense to establish a process for commanders at military bases, reserve centers, and recruiting centers to allow service members assigned to that base or facility to carry a firearm. After the July murder of four Marines and a police officer at two Tennessee recruiting centers, the NRA called for a policy change to allow military personnel to carry weapons while on station. This NDAA provision is a good first step in the effort to fully restore the Second Amendment rights of military personnel.
“The brave men and women in our Armed Forces should not be left defenseless against terrorists on American soil. Local commanders now have the authority to allow service men and women to be armed while on base. Members of the military should have the same ability to defend themselves as every other law-abiding citizen,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action.
Another NRA-backed provision in the NDAA prohibits the EPA from banning traditional ammunition under the Toxic Substances Control Act. This provision is necessary because extreme anti-hunting groups have filed multiple petitions with the EPA to ban the use of lead ammunition. Those petitions have been rejected, but those groups use the administrative rejections as an excuse to sue the agency in pursuit of the same restrictions.
“Prohibiting the EPA from banning traditional ammunition is a huge victory for hunters, recreational sportsmen and our military,” said Cox. “This ensures that our military, hunters and sportsmen will have access to traditional ammunition at a reasonable cost.”
The NDAA also includes a cost-saving provision that allows the U.S. Army to transfer its surplus vintage firearms to the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) for public sale. Currently, the Army stores excess M1911A1 pistols in a warehouse costing taxpayers approximately $200,000 a year. Transferring these vintage pistols to the CMP will allow them to inspect, grade, and ultimately sell these pistols through federally licensed firearms dealers.
“The NDAA puts an end to the wasteful government practice of warehousing firearms. It’s a common sense measure that saves taxpayers money and allows gun collectors to add a sought after vintage sidearm to their collection,” added Cox.
“The enactment of these common sense, NRA-backed provisions into law is a result of the American people electing a pro-Second Amendment majority to the United States Congress. On behalf of our members, I want to thank all those lawmakers who stood firmly on the side of freedom, ” concluded Cox.
I wouldn’t mind adding a Colt M1911A1 to compliment my Springfield 1911A1.
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I wouldn’t get all warm and fuzzy yet.
First, according the article, the law “allows” the DOD to transfer the 1911s to the DCM; it doesn’t “require” it.
Next, the law “requires” the SecDef to “establish a process” for commanders to allow armed forces members to be armed on base. It leaves the actual implementation up to the individual commanders. Care to make any bets?
If you bet on commanders allowing privates to be armed on base, you’ll lose the money you could have used to buy one of the 1911s that CMP will never get.
These sound good, but what’s the left hand doing while we watch the right hand signing this bill?
I don’t trust Obama any further than I can piss on him.
Yeah, I read this and instantly wonder “what’s the rub?”
I look forward to buying a couple of these! You should too.
I’ll believe it when I see it.
I don’t think they’ll make it to c m p either. Nor do I ever expect to see any of those M-1 carbines said to be in Korea !!
I was issued as my assigned duty- side arm a 1911a1 made in 1943 with 1000 rounds and I carried it for 8 months- 24/7 except when bathing while in iraq- saudi- kuwait. I found the 1911a1 extremely reliable give the horrible conditions. Later- I was assigned and issued a bereta 92f an M9. While I qualified expert on both I- we found too many reliability problems with the m9. The 1911’s are still the best. I was or always had a 1911a1 as a combat medic then medical officer from 1980-1994 when our unit got m9’s. Everybody wanted the 1911’s period but we had to switch to m9s. Now I – we might get a 1911a1 – PRAISE GOD FOR MIRACLES. A 1911 is very accurate but you must practice practice practice after getting proper instruction!