Posted: 1/3/2007 4:35:07 PM EDT
| My ? is I live near Ft. Benning and at times go to the range on post to shoot and was wandering where I can find out what the military policy is for post or do you guys know? |
Well now, do keep in mind that with the base commander's permission, you can carry. My case: When I was stationed at Cherry Point, I had a non-NC concealed carry license that NC recognized. When I picked up my private weapon from the armory to go shootin' over on 9 mile road, I would get the weapon (in civilian attire), place it on my person, drive to the range, have fun, and drive back on post and directly to the armory. The weapon was on my person when driving back on post. The armory storage receipt also stayed with me JUST in case I was pulled over by PMO... but from the front gate to the armory is only about a mile. The paperwork to have a weapon on base had to be filled out prior to me storing it at the armory. Contact the authorities on base and ask them what paperwork must be done. I've never been stationed at Benning before but I'm sure there is a process to allow transport of weapons on base by civilians. |
It's legal if it's legal outside the base as long as notify the cop at the gate and go strait to the police station (armory) to store the weapon. Your results may vary, void whare prohibited by law. |
Whoops. I went to the MN Air National Guard Museum last summer and was carrying the whole time. I didn't see any signs so I assumed that it was o.k. My conceal rig is really good so I'm never worried about getting spotted. |
| Believe it or not, there is no universal policy for U.S. Army bases when it comes to CCW. The Army realized that so many states now issue ccw licenses that they allow service members to ccw to and from their housing on base if they are going shooting or off base. You are not allowed to carry while on base running errands or during other on or off duty time. The decision to allow this is is up to the local commander. The CG of U.S. Army Alaska banned ccw for all Army personell under his command. I shoot at the USMA and they do not allow ccw. Your best bet is to call the main MP desk or the Provost Marshall's office. |
+1. It varies all over the USAF too. |
Any gun brought from the outside on most military bases is bad JUJU. My younger cousin forgot that he had a MAK-90 in his truck, and when he told them at the gate, after it was discovered by one of his passengers, (you know, when they ask "Do you have any guns in the vehicle"), they ran a freaking trace on the serial number and detained him for 45 minutes. The armorer tried to purchase it from him when he went to pick it up. |
Ft Benning in particular, and military bases in general, bans concealed carry on base. State laws mean absolutly nothing on military bases. |
That may have been true during your time and your places of station, but it simply isn't so these days. Yes, military bases are federal property, and in general, you cannot carry on federal property without a FFL. However, given the nature of a military base (as opposed to a post office), the base commander (whomever he or she might be), can in fact authorize the carrying of weapons on an individual basis. In general, CCW is not authorized. As a case I personally know of... A friend of mine at my squadron was formerly stationed at 29 Palms in his former MOS. His wife worked out there as a parol/probation enforcement officer, and was authorized by the state of California to carry. One particular case she dealt with was a dangerous individual that involved stalking at their private residence, etc. Having concern for his and his wife's safety, he contacted the local sherriff about the matter, and the sherrif, being friendly to us jarheads, gave my buddy a pistol and a few extra magazines, and the paperwork authorizing the transaction so he could carry it within the county. He then went to his chain of command, which resulted in a sit-down with his sergeant major and commanding officer. They both contacted the higher authorities and he was authorized to carry the weapon on base due to him living off base until the matter was resolved and the weapon returned to the sherriff's office. He was a young corporal at the time I believe. So, for the fellow who lives near Benning... go to their provost marshall's office or MP headquarters and inquire about the situation. Tell them what you wish to do and see what they are willing to authorize. You may end up being given paperwork to be shown to the sentries when you enter the base so that they may log you in. You may be told that you can't carry it concealed and instead must pack it in a case before entering base. You may be told that you may carry it concealed from the gate to the range and directly back off-base. The point that I'm trying to make is that a base commander can authorize what does and does not come onto his base. The military (even the Army  ) are people too, and they also have a tendancy to like guns and the shooting sports. You can do absolutely no harm by going over there and sitting down with somebody to see what kind of arrangements you can make.
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I just left the Army in 04 and continue as a LEO on an installation. That being said yes the base commander may authorize a carry but it is highly unlikely. As a SSG w/ carry permit I couldn't carry on post nor keep my hand guns at my residence. And yes each installation is different, I do not see a private citizen being allowed to carry onto an installation. But to go to the PMO and ask is the best course of action |
No you are WRONG. As I said in my post you go strait to the armory to lock it up. That's it. Reading comprehension is a good thing. And again that is a generalization. Depending on State, Base etc. I'm giving you the best case scenario. This answer is not about Benning. I have no idea about Benning. It's a general answer. And state law DOES mean something on FED property. Mainly if you are in violation of it matters. The difference between being arrested at the front gate or not, for declaring you've got a gun. Most LAW enforced on Fed property is assimilated from the state. get a clue. Where I work now you CAN CCW on the base. From the main gate to the armory. Going to the range is a different story. |
If you are on a base that allows CCW anywhere, then you are the exception. I have never been on a base that allowed firearms to even be transported on base unless they were unloaded and locked in a case. What you said in your post does not apply to Ft Benning, which was the post in question. What goes on at your base does not apply at all bases, and pulling up to th gate at Ft Benning and telling the guard you are carrying will result in you being searched and detained until they reach a solution, which is usually to unload your gun, case it, or place it out of reach, like in the trunk, and proceed to the range. I read your post, and I understand what you are trying to say. Indeed, reading comprehension is a good thing. He asked a question about Ft Benning specifically, and I gave him an answer for it. That answer conflicted with yours, because the rules at your base don't match the ones here. |
Only allowed for MPs/CID in the course of their duties... All firearms must be registered with the MPs and must be stored unloaded in a locked case while in transit... The military is very very picky about safety - to the point of paranoia... Especially with weapons... - Dave_A (Spent 9mos @ Ft Benning in 2005... I know this from experience)... |
If state law means nothing, then why do non-Exchange businesses that are contracted to work on base charge STATE sales tax? If state law means nothing, then why, during my last visit to Yuma, was I unable to purchase a Sig-Sauer in the exchange for not being an Arizona resident? I did not have PCS orders to Yuma (thereby giving me Arizona-resident status). AZ state law forbids the purchase of a pistol to a non-state resident, even if that person has a concealed carry license from another state that has reciprocity with AZ. If state law means nothing, why are quiet hours of the civilian towns outside of base observed, as are state conservation and environmental laws? Why does the state game warden regulate the allowable hunting season and tag limits for the base? The federal property (the base) exists to serve as an area where the military can do its thing without bothering the civilian populous. The base does, however, exist as a guest of the state (which gave/leased the land to the federal gov't), and therefor must follow a good deal of state laws in order not be in conflict with the state. When I was at Cherry Point, I could conceal my firearm from the gate to the armory, and from the armory to the gate (they never really had the range open for recreational shootin'). That was my situation, and I carried concealed while out in town due to having a license with NC reciprocity. When I came back on base, I drove through the gate, and went straight to the armory (more of an honor system than anything... but God help you if you're caught breaking that system). |
Two words, imminent domain. Not only have I been an Army MP, but in civilian life I have extensive experience working on federal property. The federal government picks and chooses specifically which state or local laws to comply with, and that compliance is completly voluntary. My case in point is Ft. Campbell, KY. It's located in a dry part of the state, but you can drink on post.
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FEDERAL law prohibits purchase of a handgun from anyone outside of your state of residency. A longarm can be purchased from anyone in your state of residence, or from an FFL in ANY state. |
All of the above examples are 'voluntary compliance' for better community relations... The .gov could easily say 'No more sales tax from .mil posts, no quiet hours, and our troops can hunt year round'... Just because they DON'T doesn't mean they CAN'T... That's a moot point anyway, as FEDERAL law prohibits concealment of loaded firearms on military bases except in the course of official duty... Federal law, as per the Constitution, overrules state law... |
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Ft Campbell, Ky is simple, DON'T. Just take gun, clear it and place into case, place mags into the glove box and charlie mike. I do it every day. The firearm does have to be registerd on post with the provost marshall. I live on post and do not have to store it in the armory. I store it in my closet in the safe. There is no such thing as being authorized by the commander that I have ever heard of, only MP and CID or similar in the Army. I cannot comment on other installations. Regeristering is a simple process where the run the SN of the weapon to enusre its not stolen, then they register it to you. Paper must be signed by the first E7 in your chain of command if the CO is not presant. If you live off base, your CO or anyone in your chain of command need not to be involved in the registration process. If your E7 and above, sign your own ticket if you live on post, they don't trust us lower guys(E5). Simple and easy to me. As to transporting the weapon, it must be unloaded and you do NOT have to declare it at the gate if its properly stored AND you have the paperwork with you AT ALL times. BTW I have goofed and forgot to remove my pistol, the gate gaurd said don't let it happen again, and it hasen't. -Bill |
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Here's another one for ya'll: usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/mcm/bl134-55.htm Punitive Articles of the UCMJ Article 134 - (Weapon: concealed, carrying) See Paragraph 60. Elements. (1) That the accused carried a certain weapon concealed on or about the accused’s person; (2) That the carrying was unlawful; (3) That the weapon was a dangerous weapon; and (4) That, under the circumstances, the conduct of the accused was to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces or was of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces. Explanation. (1) Concealed weapon. A weapon is concealed when it is carried by a person and intentionally covered or kept from sight. (2) Dangerous weapon. For purposes of this paragraph, a weapon is dangerous if it was specifically designed for the purpose of doing grievous bodily harm, or it was used or intended to be used by the accused to do grievous bodily harm. (3) On or about. “On or about” means the weapon was carried on the accused’s person or was within the immediate reach of the accused. Lesser included offenses. Article 80—attempts Maximum punishment. Bad-conduct discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 1 year. |