Weapons, Safety and Personal Responsibility

Recently, I've seen questions on carrying weapons on ARES deployments. Here is the statement of Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, released March 31, 2014 and supersedes any prior communication on the subject.

"Anyone seeking permission to carry weapons during an ARES deployment is to be advised that the ARRL cannot give such permission. Neither does the ARRL prohibit legal weapons, but the ARRL accepts no responsibility or liability for injury or damages to anyone as the result of possession of a weapon by an ARES volunteer. The responsibility or liability for injury or damages to anyone as a result of an individual's possession of a weapon remains with the individual. ARES volunteers must obey all federal, state, and local laws while on deployment. When supporting a served agency, ARES volunteers must also adhere to the policies of the served agency. The ARRL does not expect volunteers to participate in a dangerous activity or to place themselves in what they perceive to be a dangerous or unsafe environment. Volunteers should avoid or cease participating in any ARRL activity or deployment under circumstances which make them uncomfortable."

Quoted:
Hey Gang..
I just got the ARRL's "ARES E-Letter"
It seems they do have a standing policy according to this and it has been in effect since last year..
Here's the excerpt. Original is about 3/4 down the page at link.
http://www.arrl.org/ares-el?issue=2015-03-18



So it appears to me that they're taking a rather neutral stance by saying comply with the local, state & federal laws and the policy of the served agencies.

What say the herd??

..FN..