Carry on DoD Installations with CHL

[Jagusafr]

This is my first attempt at starting a discussion thread, but this seems like the place to do it. I am an Air Force reservist who wants to be able to run by one of my local military installations if I'm in the neighborhood or need to do some business, but I can't, because I'm a CHL holder who carries as a matter of course. If I go on base with my weapon, either I have to go to the armory and check it in or run the risk of a federal conviction and jail. Me bein' a JAG, I can't afford that.

My question for the board is this: what's the best argument for changing the DoD Regulations to permit licensed handgun carriers to carry on a military installation? I'm hoping to be able to do a law review or Armed Forces Journal article to stir the debate, but I need some ammo (you'll pardon the pun) to get me started.

 

[Skinny]

I live in Michigan and occasionally have to go to Selfridge ANG to deliver construction equipment. I would always give the gate guards my CCW permit along with my drivers license. It was never really clear to me that there was a "rule" that was followed, as each time I had to do something different. Mostly just unload my pistol and secure it behind the
passenger seat, one time I was denied entry and had to return at a later time without my gun. Now I leave my gun at the shop when I know I am going to the airforce base. I can't be the only driver around who has run into this problem, it seems to me that they could have a locker or some provisions made to "hold" your weapon while on base without dealing with the armoury. I was once told by a gate guard that Selfridge was a military reservation and followed all the rules of the State of Michigan. Good luck with your endeavor I will be interested in any information this will bring forth.

 

[Jagusafr]

Selfridge gate guards

I'm amazed they ever let you on base with a weapon; however, it's a guard base rather than a federal military installation, so they may well go by state law rather than federal. Thanks for the feedback, it gives me another aspect to consider.

 

[macadore]

Oops,mistake. Disregard.

 

[Jdude]

Like you have discovered, it's a mess. I couldn't even get onto the installation unless the arms were registered and locked in an arms room. Another one only wanted them registered, and I could only take them straight to my house. Another time I was told "don't even bother telling us unless we see it."
There may be a clear concise method, but I have never run into it.

Since most people going onto an installation are in uniform, and thus not armed (per regulation- when in uniform, one cannot do many things including carrying a private arm) you will have an uphill fight. Especially with the rampant CYA that occurs in the military.

My question for the board is this: what's the best argument for changing the DoD Regulations to permit licensed handgun carriers to carry on a military installation? I'm hoping to be able to do a law review or Armed Forces Journal article to stir the debate, but I need some ammo (you'll pardon the pun) to get me started.

To get the debate started at a low level, I suggest the newspaper. The big debate needs to be handled at DOD or Congress level. Since a large amount of the chain of command is responsible every time some stupid private screws up, you are probably going to have a tough uphill battle.

 

[Regolith]

I've always found it strange that the military, which in the profession of blowing stuff up, has such strict rules against carrying.

 

[md2lgyk]

There's effectively no CCW in MD, so that was never an issue when I was still in the ANG. But I never had a problem bringing my competition guns onto the base. Besides those I owned, I was hand-receipted a 1911 and an M9 to take home so I could practice at my club's range.

 

[SWMAN]

You may well end up causing more problems than you think for lobbying DoD to take private firearms on base in CCW mode. I'd suck it up and not carry on base or lock it in the armory. I've taken firearms on posts before, but I had to register them with PMO and keep them unloaded and locked in a case. Better than not being allowed to bring them on post at all.

 

[Samuel Adams]

My question for the board is this: what's the best argument for changing the DoD Regulations to permit licensed handgun carriers to carry on a military installation?

Having read the regulations on this topic for the installation on which I work, it seems that it would be up to the installation commander to make the decision on CCW.