Japanese Guards Carrying Weapons Off-Base

[jinseinotatsujin]

民間地で拳銃携行　在沖米軍日本人警備隊

According to some new article posted by Ryukyuu Broadcasting and Ryukyu Shinpou news, several Japanese Guards from Camp Courtney and Camp Foster were carrying weapons out in town under the direction of Military Provost Marshall Commander.

As you all know, Japan's Anti-Gun laws are pretty STRICT i.e., "'No-one shall possess a fire-arm or fire-arms or a sword or swords', and very few exceptions are allowed. The only type of firearm which a Japanese citizen may even contemplate acquiring is a shotgun. Sportsmen are permitted to possess shotguns for hunting and for skeet and trap shooting, but only after submitting to a lengthy licensing procedure. Without a license, a person may not even hold a gun in his or her hands."

But the main thing I want to point out about the article is the way the reporter insinuates that the Marine MP Commander made this order in spite of the stringent gun control laws. This proves further that the Japanese Media is biased and is another attempt for them to add fuel to this political fiasco that has been happening this month.

[dk]

Interesting. Do you have a link or has this not been posted online yet?

[Tony Stacks]

Well they should'nt be off base with guns anyway. They are NOT MPs and are not JPs either. They are ******* gate guards. that's all. A step up from mall security.

JMHO

[jinseinotatsujin]

I usually check out these two Okinawan News sites for late breaking news, but unfortunately it is all in Japanese. I think JapanUpdate takes some of it's stories directly from these sites.

http://www.rbc-ryukyu.co.jp/rnews.php?itemid=14920

http://ryukyushimpo.jp/

I like it however that they never post any of the bad stuff that the Okinawans due, like the raping and the voyerism.

[OCanadaOurHomeAndNativeLand]

Quick and dirty translation of the link: Japanese guards working at a USMC base on Okinawa went off-base carrying handguns with live ammunition while working at the behest of the commander.

This occurred over two days - February 11th and 12th, and involved a total of 59 people. By order of the provost marshal the guards moved between Camp Courtney and Camp Foster.

On the 26th, at a meeting held in the House of Representatives sub-committee on security, the person-in-charge was asked questions about this issue. The Foreign Ministry official said, "It is forbidden for Japanese guards at facilities in the area to carry a gun outside."

[Sex Wax]

I watched the Japanese local and National news and gathered that the problem was on Camp Courtney and Foster. Those two bases are split by roads. The guards were going from one side of the base to the other. On Camp Foster, they could have used the new tunnel. Camp Courtney has no connectors. It's not like the Gate Guards were cruising around town firing the weapons in the air while chugging down Colt 45's. I am not sure about the weapons procedures at the Gates, but to have weapons lockers and such at each of those locations seems to be a waste. The Gate Guards (I assume) are weapons trained and dont seem to me to be a "mall security guard". I agree that more press was given to this than would normally happen because of the other incidents. I also dont see a problem with the Gate Guards going between those two locations armed.

[Tony Stacks]

I watched the Japanese local and National news and gathered that the problem was on Camp Courtney and Foster. Those two bases are split by roads. The guards were going from one side of the base to the other. On Camp Foster, they could have used the new tunnel. Camp Courtney has no connectors. It's not like the Gate Guards were cruising around town firing the weapons in the air while chugging down Colt 45's. I am not sure about the weapons procedures at the Gates, but to have weapons lockers and such at each of those locations seems to be a waste. The Gate Guards (I assume) are weapons trained and dont seem to me to be a "mall security guard". I agree that more press was given to this than would normally happen because of the other incidents. I also dont see a problem with the Gate Guards going between those two locations armed.


Now this makes much more sense.:thumbup1:

[TheLastDon]

Now this makes much more sense.:thumbup1:

Well they should'nt be off base with guns anyway. They are NOT MPs and are not JPs either. They are ******* gate guards. that's all. A step up from mall security.

JMHO

Tony do you have the worlds shortest short term memory or just trying to get your post count up.

I'm not ragging on you or anything but come on man.

[Tony Stacks]

Tony do you have the worlds shortest short term memory or just trying to get your post count up.

I'm not ragging on you or anything but come on man.


They re still beefed up mall security.

[Tony Stacks]

Tony do you have the worlds shortest short term memory or just trying to get your post count up.

I'm not ragging on you or anything but come on man.


I gotta keep my post count up!:thumbup:

[Soduku]

This story was completely bogus and brought up on a slow news day of bashing US Forces. No JPs are walking around town with loaded weapons, give pardon to PMO for trying to do something with common sense.

[OCanadaOurHomeAndNativeLand]

How was the story bogus? My translation could be bad, but it seemed understood in the linked article that the Japanese guards at the USMC bases we just transiting, not wandering about town. For whatever reason, someone pointed out they were carrying loaded weapons while transiting. Likely some base opponents. Thing is, they were apparently breaking the law or rules when doing that. The reason for pointing out their transgression may have been suspect, but it doesn't take away from the fact that they are doing something wrong/illegal. Just shut it, change it, and carry on.

[Bogopogo]

Well, then I guess the JN guards up at Yokota break the law on a daily basis, because they're all armed with handguns, and they travel across Route 16 from the main base to the West side of Yokota everytime there is a shift change.

I realize that technically it's breaking the law - but c'mon - let's use a little common sense here. It seems to me that something like this would be covered in the SOFA.

Military Police go off base and they carry weapons - which obviously is not against the law - why would a military member be covered, but not a gate guard?

[Oxmix]

Back in the 60's GRI Police carried M1 Carbines.

Who in their right mind would want to be a guard without a weapon.

I find it amazing that these armed guards didn't go on a murderous rampage. You know, guns will make you do just that and you are powerless against the will of the gun when it takes control of your mind. :eek:

Regards

Ox

[jinseinotatsujin]

How was the story bogus? My translation could be bad, but it seemed understood in the linked article that the Japanese guards at the USMC bases we just transiting, not wandering about town. For whatever reason, someone pointed out they were carrying loaded weapons while transiting. Likely some base opponents. Thing is, they were apparently breaking the law or rules when doing that. The reason for pointing out their transgression may have been suspect, but it doesn't take away from the fact that they are doing something wrong/illegal. Just shut it, change it, and carry on.

Yeah eelecurb was right on his translation. I mentioned before "unfortunately it's in Japanese", but what I meant to say is "unfortunately for everyone else who can't read Japanese". If anyone has any questions on kanji or anything ask me. I am Fluent.

[Oki0619]

The JN Guards took this story to the press and to the JPs they told on themselves.