Gun Laws in McMurdo Station

[Area 52]

What kind of laws and/or rules are there concerning the legality of a scientist or support staff having guns in McMurdo Station, Antarctica? I'm not a scientist and I don't plan on ever going there, just curious. I understand that the U.S. Marshals provide law enforcement for the base, but what about others having guns?

[bigstick61]

Dunno. I don't believe the U.S. recognizes any sovereignty there. I'm not sure if McMurdo is one the section of the continent that no country claims; as for the other areas, I suppose it would be whatever the national laws are there.

[BigDogatPlay]

All of Antartica is a GFZ, to my understanding, by international convention. I need to pull some research to be sure but I believe that to be the case.

[Rob454]

no guns allowed there doesn't mean you can't get one there in your bags but what's the point

[JDay]

There are very few firearms in Antarctica.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antarctic_Treaty_System#The_Main_Antarctic_Treaty

* Article 1 – area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited, but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose;
* Article 2 – freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue;
* Article 3 – free exchange of information and personnel in cooperation with the United Nations and other international agencies;
* Article 4 – the treaty does not recognize, dispute, nor establish territorial sovereignty claims; no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force;
* Article 5 – prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes;
* Article 6 – includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees 00 minutes south;
* Article 7 – treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial observation, to any area and may inspect all stations, installations, and equipment; advance notice of all activities and of the introduction of military personnel must be given;
* Article 8 – allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states;
* Article 9 – frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations;
* Article 10 – treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty;
* Article 11 – disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, by the International Court of Justice;
* Articles 12, 13, 14 – deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among involved nations.

This is the Palmer Station firearms policy. McMurdo Station is likely the same.

http://www.nsf.gov/about/contracting/rfqs/support_ant/docs/mgt_manuals/palmer/fireasrmsmanagement110.pdf

[yelohamr]

There's no GFSZ there, I'd open carry...but I don't plan to be there.

[jammer2k]

I can't believe that you cannot be armed there, what about rouge penquin attacks?

[Gryff]

It's a government facility. I doubt that personal weapons would be allowed.

I can't believe that you cannot be armed there, what about rouge penquin attacks?

There are red penguins?

[Alan Block]

The Only legitimate use I can think of for a gun there

is for mushers (dog handlers) who may have to destroy an injiured dog.

[Retzius]

I spent a season there as a research assistant for APIS

Truely no need for a firearm there, the penguins don't attack and the seals just lay there...

Your biggest enemy can be boredom, gun ain't gonna help.

[jammer2k]

There are red penguins?

Absolutely, nothing but dirty little commies those penquins....

rogue, rogue, its spelled rogue (pounds head on desk)