Pentagon Authorizes Concealed Guns on Military Bases
Categories: News
Soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen may now request to carry a personally-owned concealed firearm on Department of Defense property, according to a new DoD directive released last week.
The new guidance spells out the terms under which a service member can be granted the ability to carry a personal firearm. The document also details the responsibilities of various authorities within the government, such as the component commanders.
The policy deals with arming troops both in the official performance of their duties and off-duty as well.
To carry a privately-owned firearm on DoD property for personal protection unrelated to performance of official duties, the service member will require an authorization from an 0-6 or higher, which can last either 90 days or “as long as the DoD Component deems appropriate.”
They will need to be 21 years old and not subject to any proceedings in civilian court or be charged with anything under the UCMJ.
Concealed Carry Details
The permission must be given in writing. During the performance of concealed carry, the weapon must be completely concealed when wearing either civilian clothes or a military uniform and must not interfere with normal duties.
It must be holstered, including when carried in in an off-body case, and must meet the State laws where the base resides with regard to caliber, ammunition, capacity and design.
Service members who have violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice, as well as those who are physically or mentally unable to carry a firearm, will not be able to concealed carry.
Commanders of recruiting station will determine if their recruiters should be armed and to what level. In addition, DoD recruiters will not be able to carry a weapon if they are in a high school or other building that has law enforcement or security personnel on site.
Commanders may also arm DoD personnel onboard bases and installations “for their personal protection…”when there is a general or specific threat of possible harm direct against them when that threat relates to the person’s official duties or status.”
Some high level staff puke with no knowledge trying to get ahead of the next Commander in Chief — with a policy designed to make it look like weapons aren’t still banned while still keeping 99% of military personnel completely disarmed.
What about Government civil servents?
How about military retirees? Currently there are signs up at the base gate specifically prohibiting firearms on bases.
I think its a good idea, we carry weapons in deployed locations, so we should be able to do the same at home, there should never be a home grown that gets very far on a military installation. with the proper rules in place this can be a great thing
Will retired personnel be allowed to be approved.
I would absolutely love this if… Authorization should be at a C.O. level. Allow personal firearms in the barracks. If you are over 21 and must be locked up or have a breach or barrel lock on it. Trigger locks often cause misfiring when unlocked.
Also must go through medical to get a psych evaluation to deal mentally stable.
Considering most COs are 0-6 and above….
And you do an annual mental health assessment. And if you’re allowed to carry it at work then why not the barracks?
Not even…06 is a brigade-level command. You will never see a unit-level CO with the rank of 06.
What directive are you referring to? List it in your article?!
Hello! This article is currently 3 years old. When we write stuff now, we most certainly provide ample details. Thanks!
You still didn’t answer his question.
Sorry man, I also did not write the article and would have to Google research to locate answers, just like he would.
It’s about time! I feel safer at home in the midwest then I do on my military base. The lack of armed security invites a confrontation.
I foresee privates accidentally shooting themselves because they are idiots.
I’m a retiree and now a cop and I can’t carry on base… these rules are stupid.
This should not be for soldiers living in the barracks!
No mention of the directive number so we can reference it. That would’ve been nice to know.
Great idea, puts guns in the hands of the good guys to stop bad guys. This is a great step forward for new policy. Its had the potential to be a force multipler.
What about retired veterans, I carry on Eglin in the 90s but they stop . I had a license since 92 or 93 was in law enforcement. So I traveled on base twice a week. Be nice to carry and not have to go home and drop it off.
What about us licensed retirees?
There seems to be so much bureaucracy that it is unlikely no permission will be granted to carry a pistol on a post. The time duration of either 90 days or as long as the DoD Component deems appropriate is such a short and possibly arbitrary time that nobody will seek permission.
This policy essentially ensures no private weapon will be lawfully carry concealed on a base. This is not good news – more beuracrcy that enabled people like Nidal Hasan to murder 13 Soldiers at Fort Hood, TX. The DoD has fallen short once again in reason and its ability to protect its people.
This is great news! However, what about Retired personnel? I was a Special Agent and yet as a retiree there are no self-defense allowances at all. I hold a Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) License with my State, but cannot enter any DoD facility with my weapon, even if it is unloaded. I’ve had a CCW since I retired almost 30 years ago. I pray that I never have to take another life, but I will to protect myself, my family or anyone in immediate danger of being killed. Every service member has taken an oath to protect and defend the US Constitution, and are limited in their ability to do so by overreaching legislation and fear of them doing just that. I spent over a dozen years overseas and witnessed many military and police carrying personal weapons. What make them so much better than a member of the United States Military Services? Contrary to popular beliefs, combat veterans are the least likely to want to use their personal weapon to harm anyone. We KNOW what is it like to pull that trigger and we do not want to do it again unless it is absolutely necessary. Every city in the US who requires citizens to own a weapon to protect their home has a lower crime rate. The people who are supposed to be our leaders, want to protect everyone all the time. That is not possible – ever! Our founding fathers knew that an armed citizen was always going to be near the scene of a crime before any community response could be. Almost every mass murder in the US could have been stopped if we allowed experienced weapon users to have concealed carry authorization. My personal weapon will be at the scene way before any police officer could get there. We do not have “Beat Cops” any more. No officers on the corners of every street. An experienced concealed carry citizen would be a benefit to every community, church, public gathering or Walmart. It just makes sense to allow experienced weapon users to conceal carry their personal weapon. (FJH428)