CHL and Military Bases

[Purplehood]

I know that there are a few posters (AFCop comes to mind) that are currently active duty and presumably stationed at a post/base/camp, etc.

My question is, what do CHL holders do if they are visiting a base (or live/work there)? If I recall correctly, firearms are prohibited.

[Keith B]

Carry on base is prohibited. You will either have to leave it locked in a car outside of the base or not carry.

I recently had to go pick up my nephew from an Air Force base and many here gave me input. I called the base police desk Sargent to see if there was any way to either lock it up on base or somewhere to store it outside the base for 20 minutes while I drove on to get my nephew. He stated there wasn't any way to bring it onto base period, and that even HE wasn't allowed to carry with his CHL onto the base, so had to leave his personal weapon at home when coming/going on/off the base. So, I had to make the trip without my carry weapon.

[txflyer]

So kind of a related question.

Are persons living on base prohibited from having weapons in their homes?

[boomerang]

I don't know about other bases but here are the rules for MCB Quantico. MCBQ Order 8000.1

[rm9792]

When I was at Ft Hood (90-94) you were allowed to bring your weapons on base but they had to be stored at the armory.

[DONT TREAD ON ME]

you are not allowed to carry on a military post no matter what. they have the security at the gates and everyone is subject to random searches. if they find a gun in your vehicle or on your person you are in a heap of trouble. as for living on post and owning a gun. you can own a gun if you live on post...living in billets or on post housing. as stated above you must keep your gun in the armory. with this comes alot of frustration. you must inform the armor 3 days prior to you wanting to sign it out to go shooting to the range or anything. so for you to sign it out and carry it with you on a daily basis off post is almost impossible.

[rm9792]

wow, things have changed. Ft Hood had no gates and as a matter of fact had multiple freeway lanes leading in to it. Ft Ben Harrison was the same way (no gates).

[casingpoint]

Fort Polk used to be open uncontrolled access, but since 911 has been tightly restricted. No civilian guns on post, no exceptions except for range competition shoots open to the public.

[Lodge2004]

When I was at Ft Hood (90-94) you were allowed to bring your weapons on base but they had to be stored at the armory.

That may have depended on what type of housing you lived in (barracks vs. family housing). I was also at Ft. Hood (87-91) and lived in post housing with my family. We had to register firearms with the Provost Marshall but were allowed to keep them at home. I used the post ranges on the weekends several times each month and do not recall ever having to check in with anybody as I went to the range. During that time period the post was open and there were no gate guards.

I suspect that has all changed now. We visit Lackland AFB a couple of times each year and I have to secure my sidearm with local family members before driving out to the base. Have even been subjected to random searches at the gate before.

[DONT TREAD ON ME]

yes that has all changed...911 messed alot up.

[Fangs]

I wasn't allowed to take my pocket knife to an open to the public air show in San Antonio at Randolph AFB. Had to walk about half a mile back to the car and catch up with my friends later.

[billfromtx]

If you hunt on base, you can register your hunting firearm on base and bring it on and off with a letter from the CO.
There are NO CHL's allowed on base.
If you live on base you must check them into the Armory.

[threoh8]

Military bases are essentially police states.

[texasag93]

You can carry firearms onto base that have been registered with the Provost (I think that is who it is).

I have done this with my Father in Law to shoot at the range on FT Hood. His guns only, I do not carry any of mine on. He has a list from the Provost and the serial numbers of every firearm that we have with us is verified on the paperwork that he carries to just target shoot. I hav never hunted on Post.

He does not carry loaded or concealed EVER on base. He does not want to loose his job or pension.

texasag

[Originalist]

I am finding out every base has different policies (even if same branch of service), unfortunately there is no standardization, alot of things are left up to the Wing Commander.

Here are some of the particlulars at Lackland:
1. Loaded firearms on base are prohibited. Federal Offense if caught (State issued licenses mean Squat)
2. People visiting Lackland AFB may take part in the base "Courtesy Storage Program"
- Weapon must be unloaded and kept seperate before you even get to the gate and while traveling from Gate to Armory
- Weapon must be signed into the Security Forces Armory before making any other stops on base
- Weapon must be last thing you pick up before leaving base, once you pick up firearm you must immediately exit and must exit before loading back up
- This even applies to Federal Cops (FBI, DEA, ICE Agents, etc.) not on official business
- Some Flight Sergeants/Desk Sergeants (equivalent of Patrol Supervisor/Dispatcher) could require a police escort to the armory. I Do not!!!!!
3. As for living on base there are two different scenarios
a. Dorms - No dangerous weapons (including BB guns, paintball guns, airsoft guns) may be kept in Dorms or Base Lodging
- They must be stored in the Security Forces Armory w/ your Commander/First Sergeant approval. You can sign them out up to 3 days on a temporary
status. Anything more than three days and you must permanently remove you weapon from courtesy storage, when you return you have to go through
the original process all over again.
b. Living in Base Housing (my situation) - You can have them in your base house w/ the following limitations/restrictions:
a. The weapons must be stored in a safe or a locked gun cabinet (if glass on door, it must be reinforced w/ grated metal), & there must be trigger
locks on the firearms (at a minimum) - reminds me of DC, (I wonder if the Heller decision has an effect on this, it is federal property)
b. All firearms being kept in base housing must be registered w/ the Base Installation Security Section. Which means if you live in base housing
& the cops respond, they are going to know before they get there you have weapons in house. First Sgts/CCs also have access to database and can
seize your weapons or force you to turn them into the armory for a miriad of reasons.
c. Transporting a weapon from on base to your home requires that you stop before getting on base, unloading and seperating (securing if you have a
trunk) and driving straight to your home, no other stops authorized.

For military - punishable under UCMJ, civilians - punishable under Title 18, USC.