Panel: Military needs gun safety measures to limit suicides

By LOLITA C. BALDOR
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — An independent panel says the Defense Department should implement a series of gun safety measures to reduce suicides in the force. It is calling for waiting periods for the purchase of firearms and ammunition by service members on military property. The panel says the department should also raise the minimum age for service members to buy guns and ammunition to 25, and should require anyone living in military housing to register all privately owned firearms. The panel says the department should restrict the possession and storage of privately owned firearms in military barracks and dorms.