Bringing firearms onto military bases as a civilian

[John Wayne]

I'm planning on visiting a friend at Fort Bragg. Aside from CC not being allowed, I don't really know what the rules are regarding being in posession of a firearm on a military instillation as a civilian.

Can I bring a gun onto base at all?

Do I have to leave my gun at the guard station?

Do I have to call ahead and get permission?

Is it wise to leave a gun at a guard station (will I ever see it again)?

 

[Maelstrom]

Call ahead first. That way you don't have to drop your gun off at home when they tell you no at the gate.

The rules are set by the base General, but I've never even heard of a base allowing any random person on with a gun.

 

[bdickens]

NO. Not a chance.

 

[Mags]

No, hell I'm active duty and I could only bring my guns on base when I lived in military family housing. I could not bring guns on base when I lived in the dormitory and now that I live off base I can't carry in my vehicle when driving to and from work.

 

[chris in va]

No base carry. Leave it at a local gun store for safekeeping, but they'll probably charge for the service.

 

[Flyboy]

Depends on the circumstances. An old family friend is a member of the Wright-Patt Rod & Gun club, and he's a civilian who doesn't even work at the base--he was able to join on the strength of his ATA membership. He's permitted to enter the base at the gate nearest the range and drive directly there and back, or was the last time I asked about it.

Call the MPs and ask about your specific situation.

 

[Glock Holiday]

I guess you should call ahead like people here have said.Just driving up the main gate with a gun on your person or in your vehicle will get you in trouble.The only exception I know of is you are an on base resident or have your firearm stored in the armory.LEO's during official training at the base range is probably another way to carry on base to the range and back.

State issued CC license doesn't matter either.Perhaps with coordination with the SP's or MP's to go to the gun range or whatever is possible I don't know.
I'm retired AF and I now work for a DOD contractor with all the clearances and ID and everything and I can't bring my guns on base.
They were very clear about that...

 

[deadin]

I'm retired Navy and have traveled all over the country in my RV and stayed on a lot of Military bases. I have found that it is different on almost every base,
even for retired military. Some bases allow retireds access, most don't (guns need to be checked into the armory, even to the point of going to the armory under security escort.). The only base that I saw that would let civilians on with a gun was Vandenberg AFB and this was for hunting or if they belonged to the Rod and Gun Club. I don't know what kind of hoops the civilians had to go through to gain access.

 

[KenW.]

I'm an honorably retired GI, and can't take my guns on base... even as a sworn peace officer (unless required for duty).

 

[justashooter in pa]

No base carry. Leave it at a local gun store for safekeeping, but they'll probably charge for the service.

if the gun stays overnight it has to be logged in and you must be NICS checked before it can be returned to you.

 

[larry_minn]

Its likely more trouble then its worth. It is POSSIBLE and I have done it. (not in Military) You have to get permission ahead of time. (helps to know a few folks on base who talk to those in charge) I had to decare a UNLOADED cased,etc and go directly to location/back off. Or direct to range/back. Do NOT even stop for gas (normally cheaper on base)

 

[Mags]

We had a Police Week Shooting Competition on base a few months back. All participants had to be put on a "Entry Authorization Lists" with gun make and model listed. The guns had to be unloaded and locked in a hard case. Since this was an organized event there was a designated meeting place where Security Forces were present to escort us to the range. Once at the range we were allowed to carry our weapons unloaded and holstered until our turn to shoot. So maybe if you call ahead of time you could be put on an "EAL" for escorted entry to the armory. But the the armory could be complicated too, when I lived in the dorms if you owned a firearm you had to keep it in the base armory you needed a signed letter from your First Seargeant to store and remove it from the armory every time you took it out and you were only allowed to remove it from the armory when going to a shooting range.