Security and Accountability

Security and accountability is vary important especially in an arms room. Without security the world would be a lot more dangers place. There would be a lot more theft and even more killings. With out security there would be no protection from kidnappings and anyone could get a gun since there is not security to make sure that they are allowed to have it. The army has many Regulations and Pamphlets that cover this topic. In AR 190-11 the army says, “Physical security measures to counter risk factors that will periodically change over a period of time such as criminal, terrorist, and hostile threats. The procedures can usually be changed within a short amount of time and involve manpower.” This is to give commanders flexibility to ensure that the security is maintained in there arms rooms with each changing situation. Since each arms room is different commanders need this flexibility so they can insure there arms room is secure. AR 190-11 also tells use how weapons should be stored so that they could not be easily taken and end up in the wrong hands, “All arms racks or containers will be locked with approved secondary padlocks. In facilities that are not manned 24 hours a day, rifle racks and containers weighing less than 500 pounds will be fastened to the structure (or fastened together in groups totaling more than 500 pounds) with bolts or with chains equipped with secondary padlocks. Bolts used to secure racks will be spot welded, brazed, or preened to prevent easy removal. Chains used to secure racks (and containers) will be heavy duty hardened steel, welded, straight links steel, galvanized of at least 5/16–inch thickness, or of equivalent resistance to force required to cut or break a secondary padlock.” And it even tells us how the arms room should secured. This helps us to protect the weapons and keep security in the arms room, “Except for GSA approved Class 5 steel vault doors with built–in, three position, changeable combination locks, doors used for access to arms storage rooms or structures will be locked with an approved high security locking device or high security padlock and hasp providing comparable protection to the locks. An approved high security shrouded hasp will be used to secure Category I and II AA&E storage facilities to enhance their security. Doors used for access to arms storage rooms will be locked with approved locks and hasps. On existing storage facilities equipped with double–door protection, high security padlocks and hasps will be used on the most secure door. Secondary padlocks will be used to secure the other door of the double–door concept. Other doors that cannot be secured from the inside with locking bars or dead bolts will be secured on the inside with approved secondary padlocks, e.g., issue window or portals. When high security hasps are installed, locking bars and T–pins should be left in place to aid in opening and closing doors and prevent any future misalignment of the hasps. Panic hardware, when required, will be installed to prevent opening the door by tampering from the outside. Panic hardware will meet safety, fire, and building codes and be approved by the Underwriters Laboratory or host country requirements as applicable.” This shows how important even the littlest thing can be with security, and that paying attention to detail is vital. It also tells us the best way to secure the arms room.

There is a lot coordination that goes into the security of an arms room. I learned this in reading AR 190-11 witch says that, “In developing a security plan, coordination and close liaison should be effected between the military commander and—

(1) Adjacent installations or units, (2) Federal agencies, (3) State and local agencies, (4) Similar host country agencies.” Also in coordinating thou all the different agencies the commander has to also have to make “extent permissible,” so “such interaction should allow for an exchange of intelligence information on security measures being employed, contingence plans, and any other information to enhance local security.” There is a lot of on installation paperwork that has to be done, not just with the military but also with the Department of Defiance and other civilian agencies, AR 190-11 says, “On an installation, the host activity will assume responsibility for coordinating physical security efforts of all tenants, regardless of the DOD components represented, as outlined in the support agreements and the host activity security plan. Applicable provisions will be included in, or be an appendix to, the support agreement. (1) Bilateral storage agreements will be used when—(a) AA&E are stored on the installations or facilities of other U.S. or foreign government agencies or other DOD services, (b) Consolidated storage facilities are used to store AA&E belonging to more than one unit