Security forces emphasizes requirements for handling privately owned firearms

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LITTLE ROCK AFB, Ark. --   With the availability of firearms and ammunition at the new Base Exchange, potential and current owners should be aware of base requirements for transporting and storing privately owned firearms ammunition.

"Command and control is much easier when security forces knows exactly who is armed." said Maj. Timothy McCarty, 19th Security Forces Squadron commander. "It is important to comply not only because it is the law and required, but most importantly because it enables security forces to better provide a safe and secure environment for Team Little Rock members to live and work."

According to LRAFB 31-101, privately owned weapons may be brought on base for the purpose of transportation to and from authorized storage facilities, purchase or sale, collector display events, game hunting and to or from authorized sporting events requiring their use.

Weapons will be transported in the trunk or camper of the vehicle. The only exception is if the vehicle is a pickup truck and does not have a camper or if the vehicle is a hatchback; then, the firearm may be transported on the front passenger floorboard out of the reach of the driver to the greatest extent possible.

All weapons will be unloaded while being transported and ammunition and firearms will be kept separate when possible. Weapons will not be transported on motorcycles, bicycles or any other two or three-wheeled vehicles. Firearms will not be stored in such a manner as to appear to be concealed including under seats.

If stopped by security forces personnel for any reason, to include traffic stops or base entry point check, the driver must immediately inform the member of the location and amount of firearms or weapons being transported. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action against the driver.

According to guidelines, concealed weapons permits are not valid on Little Rock Air Force Base. Personnel must have the installation commander's written approval to carry firearms on their person.

Cefus Benner, Department of the Air Force supervisory policy officer, said that under U.S. Code: Title 18, Chapter 44, Section 930: Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in federal facilities, "the base is considered federal property not unlike a postal office." Persons not complying with base regulations face certain penalties.
"If you are a civilian and get caught, you will be escorted off base, and risk being banned from the installation," he said. "Military members who are caught may face action under Article 92 of the UCMJ, failure to obey order or regulation."

Possession of firearms are prohibited in dormitories, transient quarters, or billeting. Personnel residing in unaccompanied officer's quarters or NCO and Airmen dormitories will not have firearms in their rooms or any other place in such quarters.

Arrangements to store such items will be made or provided by the individual's unit commander or the 19th Security Forces Squadron armory for firearms and ammunition only. The security forces armory does not have room to store personally owned weapons. Under no circumstances will firearms be stored in vehicles.

AAFES customers purchasing firearms from the Base Exchange should be aware of base regulations when preparing to make purchases.

"When purchasing firearms, customers are required to review the base commander's policy letter and sign a form which says they understand the requirement," said Roberto Montalvo, Little Rock AFB Base Exchange store manager. AAFES policy also states there is a mandatory 24-hour waiting period between the purchase of firearms and ammunition. Mr. Montalvo also added customers also receive a trigger lock to assist in securing their firearm at the time of purchase.

For more information about the Little Rock AFB firearms policy, call 19th Security Forces Squadron police services section at 987-2272.

(Courtesy of 19th Security Forces Squadron)