Weapons in Galaxy

[Cobramax Mechanique]

Lets discuss the issue of wearing weapons in Galaxy. Should we wear them and if so, where should we be allowed to wear them ?
Let the discussion begin....

[Tee Cramer]

I am currently researching for actual Starfleet policies on the carrying of weapons in public view. But my personnel opinion is this.

For better or worse Starfleet is a military organization, and in all military organizations the officers and nco's and crew personnel are issued weapons, but you do not see them carrying there weapons as the go about their daily functions. The only personnel that carry weapons in public view are the on duty Security and tactical personnel, as well as the officer of the day. The only exception to this is during Tactical or weapons training, or on the Firing range. or in our case during the Posted RP's and posted training sessions, or our range. This is done as to not alarm the Public or to have the military (or Starfleet) viewed as an aggressor. Starfleet has always stood for Peace first. we only use weapons as a last resort. Also we have to remember that as a military unit WE (starfleet) is not a democracy. We obey the orders of the officers appointed over us, and they in turn as we do follow the orders of the democratic body of the United Federation of Planets. We are the defenders of that body and it's citizens. We as Officers in Starfleet have the right to voice our opinions. but in the end this is a decision that will have to be made by the Admiralty. I am against us carrying weapons in the view of the public. It makes us look like a military state where we oppress people, that is not Starfleets function. our function is to allow those Citizens of the federation (SL) to feel secure. Not oppressed or controlled. We would look more like a bunch of Cowboys walking the streets of the old west looking for a fight. We need to appear as a professional unit that uses weapons as a last resort. carrying them 24/7 i believe would have the opposite effect. and we would be viewed as the afore mentioned cowboys. I will continue to research for anything on the net and in books about Starfleet regs on this matter. I am a member of the Tactical unit but still feel that it is a bad idea for everyone to carry a weapon in public 24/7.

Thank you for your time

[LT J.G. wedderlie eldrich]

In response to the discussion regarding the wearing of weapons in Galaxy, My suggestion would be a NO vote for the following reasons:
1. The wearing of any weapons, at any time other than in the tactical area or in the Borg Cube only encourages visitors to arm themselves and start shooting.
2. At the last general meeting, the point was made that if a griefer, or griefers show up, we should not pull out a weapon, but a camera and take some pictures. I would also suggest storing the conversation as a note to pass up the chain of command.
3. Of course, we should also inform the person with weapons politely about our no weapons rule at Galaxy and to please put them away.
My own personal way of dealing with this issue is to always warn publicly. If no response, then I IM them privately, and request them politely to disarm. And I always add thank you.
If there is still no positive response, I IM them again using all caps and tell them this is their final warning. If still no positive response, I put on full shields and use star fleet channel to call for DO and security. This last action is seldom required, because most people can be talked out of abusive action.

So in summary, my vote would be no wearing or carrying weapons unless in Tactical or Borg cube.

Live long without weapons and prosper

[katrinabixby1]

Great input on the subject. I agree we are military but not in a military state. So Wearing visual weapons I would say, should be limited to the DO, security, tactical, and during tactical events.

You have reminded me we need to put the rules of the sim back out. They were once in the Dora Bot which is no longer in the sim.

[Zania Turner]

Wearing weapons may not be so much the problem. There are versions of weapons, like the phaser rifle or hand phasers, which can be slung across the back or worn at the hip.

Not everyone, however, has weapons that can be worn in these ways.

Having weapons that can only be used in mouselook, and carrying them around, is what can give the impression that the SFC SLQ is an aggressive group - even when that's not the case at all. Wearing a weapon that is "holstered," on the other hand, implies a military structure within the group but does not necessarially sour the general sense of welcome, peace and community within the group and the sim.

The other thing to consider, as well, is that just about anything could be considered as a weapon if it's used a certain way. Vehicles can be a weapon if it's used to hit another avatar. Shields can be a weapon, including those which orbit individuals who fire upon the wearer. Even snowballs, from the Linden vs. Resident snowball fight every winter, can be a weapon as it DOES cause damage (according to the death shield).

Ultimately, I think the solution needs to be four fold:

1) If scripted weapons are developed, a non-scripted counterpart should also be created that can be worn for show (not used to fire on another avatar).

2) A dispenser should be available at the entry to the sim, reminding everyone about the rules for Galaxy including weapon usage.

3) A teleport to the tatical area should be made available somewhere very close to Roddenberry Plaza. It should be visible, to where individuals know that it will teleport them to the tactical area, and not the vendor ring by mistake.

4) Common sense and self-restraint should be encouraged and employed at all times. Those two human aspects, more so than anything else, can make a huge difference.

Just my !

[star]

I am for holstered weapons in the public areas. Unholstered weapons are completely unacceptable in public areas.

I do not see the presence of weapons as encouraging or discouraging griefers. Some griefers will say that their victims were "provocative" by wearing weapons or even having weapons on the premises but most people who want to create trouble will always find a way to blame the victims. Even if their victims had created a sim for pacifists with no weapons of any sort, griefers would attack claiming that their victims needed to learn that there are reasons to defend themselves.

[Jessica Kanahoe]

I agree with ever one you all make some good points carrying the weapon and have on you or displaying it. Hear a idle. Try keep in mind if you are going to carry a Weapon or display it on your hip. when wareing your Starfleet uniform in plublic you should consiter that if you go to a dance club or some other type of metting "sand box are ok". make sure you never Discharge it in those place be cauces it look realy bad on you and the group. try put your self in the host shoes if you can just use Wise jugment becuse even if we decied that "hey ware a weapon on in public is worng" Some you are still going to do it any way. Just be veary curtess too the host in that sim or place. but for non hostle look wareing weapon on hip it friendlyer. then have on in your hand like your going to shoot some one. No one like being shoot at.

[Dalanica~R&D~]

I agree with all that is said think of it this way look at the societys that wore guns. Look at all the wars that started because of wepons. Do we want that in our Sims because if we allowe people to carry wepons that is what is going to happen. I know that guns are a nessisary evil but me persoanly I hate guns.I will only use my gun when needed to me guns are not nesisary especialy in the possition I am in with reasearch and development. I agree compleatly with everyone in the end if guns are allowed there will be major concequences to come of that disition. Do we want wars to break out between people who have a grudge against another. Do we want things to happen personaly to other people because of Scripted wepons me I would rather sit to the side and let the ones who are handling it handle it. Another thing to think of Scripted wepons of any kind should they be allowed in there. There are many wepons that are not Guns that are around. Do we allowe thoughs wepons to be used in Starfleet or do we say NO wepons allowed to be warn in or around Starfleet property Unless in athorized places. If we say No to one wepon we need to say No to them all and that means any type of wepons that are not in designaited areas..
Thank You have a nice Day
Dalanica

[LT J.G. wedderlie eldrich]

as a further comment on weapons/ no weapons, I was visiting NCI plaza yesterday and noticed a new and very large sign that states "this is a weapons free zone" and seems to be carefully enforced

[Heidi Stiglitz]

I oppose the carrying of weapons by any but security forces during non-alert periods. While I don't believe that all-out war is going to break out because people are carrying them, quite honestly Jane Crewmember walking around with a phaser rifle strapped to her back just because she feels like it in the middle of Starfleet Command does not accurately promote the peaceful ideals of Starfleet and the Federation.

During alert conditions, obviously, I would say to strap them on.

[Zania Turner]

Heidi, then what about other things that could be considered as a weapon? Vehicles? Ships? Snowballs from the Linden vs Resident snowball fight? Defensive items, like shields, that orbit a person the moment you hit or fire on it? There's a lot of stuff out there, including a weapon I've seen on SL Exchange as being invisible.

What about some that might want to go and use the tactical area to test out a new weapon when there's no roleplay going on, or a tactical event? Are we suddenly going to tell them, "No, you can't go there since there's no weapons on galaxy outside of tactical events or roleplays?" You do that, and they're going to go elsewhere and they won't hang around Galaxy that often.

Again, I think that we really need to put some faith in our members that, even if they do have any kind of a weapon, they are going to use restraint and self control to do the right thing. If we don't have that faith in them, then we aren't living up to the ideals of Starfleet.

[Samson Havercamp]

Perhaps there is a middle ground to be reached here? It seems that most are in favor of at least some form of restriction on weapons in Galaxy, so why not specify a regulation that requires holstered weapons in all outdoor spaces other than tactical, and require all weapons to be detached when indoors except where authorized? This could be enforced by the Active Duty Officer, and the regulation could be clearly specified to people entering Galaxy.

One additional thought - there have been a few comments made with regards to the tactical group being able to carry weapons at all times, and while I don't really have a strong opinion one way or another on that issue, I would suggest that until we have a universal and/or clearly visible method of displaying rank and division, this could be a very difficult regulation to enforce. I know many of us already use the flip title to display this information, but that isn't universal and we don't all use the same naming conventions. I believe there have been some discussions about main computer access that would allow at least the DO the ability to verify rank and division, but unless/until something like that is implemented, I would kindly recommend that the Regulations and Personnel divisions look into this issue, as I believe it will arise when discussing other issues beyond this discussion.

[Heidi Stiglitz]

I speak of the perception to visitors and those of us less enamored of weapons than the reality. A phaser rifle will be perceived as a weapon; a vehicle will not.

Again, it all depends on the perception we want people to have. I've been asked by a few visitors why people are carrying around weapons. Are we at war? Are we being griefed? Many more have shrugged it off. The entire point of having weapons regulations is perception, because it only takes a second to pull that phaser out.

The Tactical Area was designated a free fire area. It's underground and hidden away from the average visitor, though the sounds do come up.

[Jessica Kanahoe]

Sound like a lot has change sent I been online. Maybe being in state of war is good thing. Lord know's you guys need it. Oh what about them borg?

[Xenon Darrow]

Texas gal here - for the weapons.

Xe