Seeking advice from gun friends - to move to Germany or not or elsewhere?

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leadcounsel

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Situation:
I'm in the Army. Currently stationed in a gun friendly state. I've deployed a few times and will be again soon.

In about 14 months I have the 'opportunity' to move someplace else. I'll also have this 'opportunity' again in about 3 years. In either the first move or the move in 3 years, I'm considering Germany.

One of the potential locations is a PCS move to Germany.

PROS:
Amazing cultural experience
Amazing travel opportunities
Great skiing/snowboarding (I assume) in the Alps
2 year assignment
Women could be a big plus...

CONS:
NO CCW
Limited to no private gun ownership - it would be very difficult at best
If I did go it would involve complex storage of a lot of firearms
Another unrelated issue that isn't gun related

I have a very hard time living someplace that I cannot own a gun, keep a gun in the house, or even carry in my 'civilian' world/life.

Have others encountered this and if so how do you get over it.

There are other locations where I could move/PCS, but there aren't many where I want to live that are really pro-gun.

Another question, are there any Army Soldiers here that have lived in someplace that was pro-gun and also great for skiing? I'm thinking Colorado and Alaska are about as good as it gets...
 
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i had a SFC tell me once " F! germany alaska is the best place to be" (He had ben to both)
 
Well I've never lived in Europe, but all I hear about is their LACK of gun rights. I'm sure its a wonderful place, but you might have to leave your guns behind. I could, however, reccomend lots of states in the US.

States that are the most PRO-GUN:

-Kentucky
-Arizona
-Texas
-Vermont
-Alaska
-Colorado
-most of the south, a good chunk of the western states.

I know there was an older thread that was about gun rights in certain areas, you could look for that for some more detailed input.
 
I hear EUCOM HQ in Stutgart is really nice. I almost went there but got deferred for 30 days and deployed for a year 2 weeks later.

VA - Virginia beach is nice. VA is very gun friendly. I believe Ft. Eustis is down there. Nice area down there, just stay away from Belvoir and the beltway. Belvoir was nice, don't get me wrong. I loved my unit there, but the traffic is MURDEROUS. It doesn't just kill you figuratively... there are some real nuts out there on I95. Just looked it up, Ft. Eustis is about 1 hour from Virginia Beach. There are some nice mountains around here to go skiing on, camping, etc. Georgia is fairly gun friendly, so you could go to Gordon. Granted, Augusta GA is a bit of a hole... but the area is nice once you leave town. Colorodo is nice, Ft. Carson is there. OK isn't bad, Ft. Sill is there. I can only tell you about Ft. Huachuca, Ft. Gordon, Ft. Jackson (SC isn't that bad either and the area is beautiful), and Ft. Belvoir though.

XxWinxX94 - VA and AZ are very close in gun laws... have lived in one, suffered in the other.
 
PCS to Ft. Lewis, WA.

We're gun friendly... right from the WA state Constitution.

SECTION 24 RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS. The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.
 
Its a two year assignment, the guns will always be waiting for you. To live overseas and get paid for it is a once in a life time opportunity. LOADS of culture/history over there if you take the time and get out with an open mind. If you do go TRAVEL!!!! Germany/Italy/France/Belgium/Luxembourg/Netherlands/Scandinavia/UK. Ive been to all of them and appreciated what they had to offer. Plus you will see how other countires live and see that although the USA is the best country in the world we do not do everything the best way it can be done.

And when you get back you will appreciate the guns that much more.
 
Its a two year assignment, the guns will always be waiting for you. To live overseas and get paid for it is a once in a life time opportunity.
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Ditto that. It's one of the things I missed not being able to serve. I have a friend who served from Korea to Germany to Alaska, to New Foundland. He loved them all for various reasons.

BTW - In Germany it was the women. ;)
 
Exactly ,y sentiment. You'll get used to it and it's not like Germany is particularly dangerous.

Stash your guns somewhere safe here and when you get back, they'll be here.
 
Army reservist based out of CO and currently deployed. The CO life is awesome. Lots to do near Fort Carson if you're an outdoors guy.

Moving to someplace you can't own firearms is a highly subjective thing on this board. I used to think I could never entertain the notion (heck, I still won't take a trip to CA because of this), but I took my mid-tour leave to Australia a while back. The experience led me to believe it's a wide world and the risks are worth taking to see it. Don't think I could permanently foresake private gun ownership, but a PCS, shorter TDYs, and a vacation now and then will lead you to meet people, see things, and have experiences you didn't know existed. YMMV, of course.
 
Most of the people in the world get through their daily lives without a gun. You can too, I expect.
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That is so stupid. You act like its not a big deal. For some, it is. Take away something you currently have and it sucks.

Would you give up your TV? Internet? Car?

You don't need those either
 
Man, I wouldn't go to Germany if it were me. I was stationed there, and while I enjoyed the culture quite a bit, it was the absolute worst unit (brigade on down where I was) that I was ever a part of. Actually, from seeing other units from that division deployed, none of them impressed me much either.

Then again, I'm assuming you are a lawyer and you would not be a part of that unit - or would at least be on a higher headquarters staff, so you may be a bit insulated from the suck.

ETA: That was a bit harsh sounding. Let me clarify a bit. IMO, the whole brigade seemed to lack discipline, physical fitness, and didn't train nearly enough. No ball destroying when it came to drugs either (well, or anything really). It probably wasn't the worst in the Army then, and it may very well be much different now. I also think that I was generally in very exceptional units elsewhere.
 
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In one way I envy you guys in the states because you have very liberal gun laws, not too much taxes, and your country is HUGE, there's lots of different things to see and places to visit.

On the other hand I love living here too. I can get in my car, drive for 3/4 of an hour, drive onto the channel tunnel train, another 45 minutes and I'm in France. From there I can drive just about anywhere! There is a big difference in the various peoples of Europe, from the laid back Spanish to the fiercely anal Germans :)

Personally, Germany wouldnt be the first place I'd want to go in Europe, but the OP is obviously into ski-ing, and well, they do have mountains :D

Switzerland is very pro-gun, but I doubt that applies to foreigners, similarly I imagine if I as an Englishman was to visit the USA I doubt I could buy a gun there? Or that at least I would be in trouble if I got caught with it?

No-where though is going to be as gun-friendly as your country. If it's SUCH a big deal to you, like it runs you life, you'd be best off staying at home!
 
I was stationed in Germany in the late '80s. At that time you could purchase firearms on base with your Commander's approval. If you lived off post, you could store your firearm there. Taking the firearm back was a bit of a paperwork drill, but no big deal. Not at all sure what the situation is currently.

On the other hand, it's a great tour and very worth doing. I went to lots of the WWII battlefields and got a sense of history like you wouldn't believe. :cool: Austria is a reasonable trip from most kasernes, and the outdoor activities there are tops!

As far as the ladies, if I hadn't been married when I got there, I would have been before I left! :D
 
That is so stupid. You act like its not a big deal. For some, it is. Take away something you currently have and it sucks.

Would you give up your TV? Internet? Car?

You don't need those either
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I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and just presume you meant to use that word "stupid" in the politest possible way.

If the OP wants to go to Germany badly enough, he'll learn to get along without carrying a gun as part of his day-to-day life, since_practically speaking_he hasn't any other option. As for getting along without internet, TV, and such, I've done so. Lots of us here have. We didn't need cars, either. We just rode our wooly mammoths to work.
 
I'm more well traveled than most of my friends. I've lived in several countries and traveled and/or lived in Europe, Australia/NZ, the Middle East, Canada (east and west), Mexico and extensively in the US.

Sitting here last night I came to the conclusion that the life I've built here in the US is pretty darn good. Why mess with a good thing?

My top choices are probably Colorado (Carson), Wash. (Lewis), or Alaska. They have the best gun laws, outdoorsy stuff, nightlife (except Alaska), single women (except Alaska), and snowboarding.
 
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I was stationed in Germany almost 40 years ago. Back then the rules for military personnel with guns were probably a lot different than now, and I never thought about carrying a pistol.
I owned a rifle that I purchased through the Rod and Gun club, a Mannlicher-Steyr carbine with wood to the muzzle. (Still have it.) I was able to keep the rifle in my apartment without any paperwork, but again, I suppose one or two changes may have taken place since the early 70's.
I got a heck of a deal on that rifle, though. I paid about $150 for it. I was amazed when I got home and discovered that in the U.S. they went (back then) for over a grand.
I would say go to Germany. It is a country with an enormous amount of history, both ancient and modern. The beer tents and Fasching celebrations are pretty great, too!
 
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