What to do if accidentally entered military base while CC

[Good Ol' Boy]

I almost took a wrong turn and would've ended up driving into a base the other day. I'm just wondering what proper protocol is when pulling up to the gate and interacting with the MP's while carrying.

I couldn't find anything on the web about legalities so any info would be nice.

Just to be clear this is not a question of carrying on a base but rather proper interaction when trying to get turned around and off the base.

 

[Sam1911]

It'll make you pucker that's for sure.

I've been in a group that did that with a car full of machine guns. Not almost, actually entered.

In our case we realized the situation immediately notified the gate guard that we were talking to of our error, and were firmly but courteously directed and how to proceed. Our IDs were looked at, and we were told to proceed to a turnaround spot a few yards away and to turn around and come back immediately and not to make any other turns.

In that particular location it probably happened fairly frequently though.

 

[1911 guy]

The best advice I can give was summed up by Sam. Stop at the gate, explain that it was a wrong turn and you want to leave government property ASAP. The gate guard wants you off government property, too.

 

[herrwalther]

Just ask to turn around. Asking to turn around LOOKS better than doing an odd 3 point turn on a road going into a military post. For the most part MPs (and the civilians that stand post at military bases) are reasonable people. A simple explanation of "I didn't mean to come down this road, I'll just turn around" is fine by most of them.

And if you have a current CAC or VA card, they are far more amicable on letting you turn around.

Funny side story, when I was a very green enlisted joe I was asked to help an NCO transport weapons from one base to another. Weapons in question were a few M2 HMG and a couple M240s that needed some love from an armorer that my smaller base didn't have. The NCO and I pulled a couple of M9s and ammo from the armory so we were slightly armed. We put the weapons in the back of a GSA van and covered them with a tarp. Drive was just under 10 hours. The MP at the gate asked if we had any weapons, the response from the tired NCO was less than high road but funny. But we had a transport order paperwork so we got waved on quickly.

 

[MedWheeler]

This happened to me a few years ago at Fort Benning. I was passing by, and construction-destruction on the highway had many motorists confused. As I rounded a turn and saw the gate up ahead of me, I could also see a couple of vehicles that had just passed through it heading back out. When I arrived and told the MP of my plight, he didn't even make me finish; he just directed me to follow a white truck that had made the same mistake. No IDs were being checked. It was apparently happening on a near-constant basis.

I was carrying two firearms, and had probably three more in my Jeep.

 

[Old Dog]

Just be honest. "Sorry, I just realized (or remembered) I've got firearm(s) in the vehicle, and I do not want to enter the base." Happens frequently. The gate sentries will stop traffic to let you turn around.

I have full access privileges (retired), but the DoD rules still state that I cannot bring my firearms even as a serving law enforcement officer unless I am on duty, which would only occur if I had to go fetch a military member we had a warrant on, which is very, very rare. So, really, I can't come on base with my weapons when I'm going to use the base gym or go to the commissary or exchange to go shopping. I really, really don't like disarming just to go the the commissary or Class VI store ..

 

[Old Guy]

Not quite the same story, but close! Left my Jeep at the dealers, caught the van for a ride home, Glock 19 on person, concealed. One person, being dropped off at his work Lockheed Martin! Left me passing the sign, No firearms! Stop, drop off, out again... Phew!

 

[Spats McGee]

I'm going to join the "honestly notify" chorus. While I have absolutely zero experience with firearms and military bases (a fact which, of course, won't stop me from commenting . . . . ), my experience with "badge carriers" is that they tend to react better if they feel like you're being honest with them. I'd rather pull up to the gate and tell them "Listen, I took a wrong turn & have a van-load of guns that I don't think I'm supposed to have on base," than have them stop me because my K-turn made them suspicious.

 

[chicharrones]

I'd rather pull up to the gate and tell them "Listen, I took a wrong turn & have a van-load of guns that I don't think I'm supposed to have on base," than have them stop me because my K-turn made them suspicious.

+1

 

[Devonai]

I was a gate guard at my base for seven years. We aren't going to freak out, but you're not getting on the base. Pretty simple.

 

[pintler]

"Listen, I took a wrong turn & have a van-load of guns that I don't think I'm supposed to have on base,"

Spats, can you explain your preference for that language vs. a simple "Ooops, I made a wrong turn, how do I turn around?".

 

[Arizona_Mike]

I've done this. Wrong ramp on an exit. Guard looked over some car parts in my pickup bed and told me to turn around at the next gap in the median. Was standing outside the booth looking closely as I did so and smiled on my way out.

Mike

 

[Spats McGee]

"Listen, I took a wrong turn & have a van-load of guns that I don't think I'm supposed to have on base,"

Spats, can you explain your preference for that language vs. a simple "Ooops, I made a wrong turn, how do I turn around?"

It may not be necessary to explain that I have a van-load of guns. If I could use your language, I'd be fine with that, as long as my turn-around doesn't involve me possessing firearms where I'm not supposed to. The key for me is that I want to be open and forthcoming with the MPs, at least to the extent necessary to avoid being "assisted from my vehicle and placed in a prone position on the pavement."

 

[deadin]

Having spent 2 years "full-timing" in an RV and staying on military bases whenever possible, I have seen most every situation. (I'm retired military so I have access to bases). Some bases have a better sense of humor than others. The one that scared me the most was the sign at the gate of the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.... "NO FIREARMS ALLOWED. ANY FOUND WILL BE CONFISCATED AND DESTROYED.

 

[herrwalther]

Having spent 2 years "full-timing" in an RV and staying on military bases whenever possible, I have seen most every situation. (I'm retired military so I have access to bases). Some bases have a better sense of humor than others. The one that scared me the most was the sign at the gate of the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.... "NO FIREARMS ALLOWED. ANY FOUND WILL BE CONFISCATED AND DESTROYED.

Since that base is so close to Canada, maybe the primary concern is gun trafficking across the border? Or just a very over zealous base commander.

We have a funny anti-gun sign at work. It says "No Firearms allowed. Including backup weapons. Yes that one too."

 

[pintler]

as long as my turn-around doesn't involve me possessing firearms where I'm not supposed to.

My worry would be that the gate was already within the prohibited area, which is why I'd prefer to exit without the subject of guns coming up if possible. My sense is that the regulation would be written 'no guns on base', not 'no guns inside the gate', and I'd think the gate must be on base property.

 

[Spats McGee]

^^^ An absolutely valid concern that I share.

 

[Old Dog]

I think some are over-thinking this ... when the military started hardening gate areas for force-protection measures in response to the types of VBIED attacks seen in the middle east, the turn-around areas mostly seem to have come inside the gates. Having worked in base security, I can't see the gate sentries not typically allowing someone to turn around if the driver comes forward with an honest explanation, not saying there's no possibility of running into one of the private security contractors who wants to turn a simple situation into an ordeal ... for a while we had these $13.00 an hour Wackenhut folks as gate guards (mixed in with the bases' security personnel). Anyway, your initial contact is not going to bring you inside, then get you out of the vehicle, prone you and the missus out and search your vehicle ... unless you've acted suspiciously and even the most inexperienced security guy thinks there's reason to do so.

 

[herrwalther]

as long as my turn-around doesn't involve me possessing firearms where I'm not supposed to.

My worry would be that the gate was already within the prohibited area, which is why I'd prefer to exit without the subject of guns coming up if possible. My sense is that the regulation would be written 'no guns on base', not 'no guns inside the gate', and I'd think the gate must be on base property.

Valid concern. But also think of it this way. Asking to turn around puts you in a position to follow instructions from base personnel, which are legal orders much like police officers. This is a case where asking permission is better than asking forgiveness.

 

[Devonai]

Comment removed due to oversimplification of a more complex issue. Also, it didn't contribute anything. Sorry.

 

[jhansman]

I work on a military base (as a civilian) and this happens frequently, due to the gate's location; people just get lost. If you do not have proper ID or legitimate business, you are turned around immediately. The best thing to do is simply explain your error and follow directions on how to exit the gate. Herrwalther is correct; since (usually) you cannot back up, all you can do is move forward to make your exit. If this requires a U-turn that temporarily puts you on govt. property, your behavior is watched VERY carefully until you have completed the turn are well away from the gate. While most of the guards are contract civilians (and not LEOs), their instructions are very simple and straightforward.

 

[chicharrones]

I work on a military base (as a civilian) and this happens frequently, due to the gate's location; people just get lost.

Some military bases I've been to have roads leading to the base that are like a funnel. Make one wrong turn and you are in that funnel right up to the security checkpoint.

 

[bikemutt]

I did this once at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, I showed id, no questions asked,nothing volunteered. I had to pi$$ like a racehorse, on-duty pointed to the AM/PM where I finally relieved myself

 

[oneshooter]

Most of the bases I have been to have a turn around just before the actual gate.

 

[If1HitU]

I went to Fort Knox and forgot I had a gun in the car,I thought about it right before the exit off US 31 had to drive back to Louisville.Good I did because the next time I went back to Fort Knox,I asked what would happen if someone came to the gate with a weapon in their car what would happen? I was told I wouldn't like the answer,I got the point.