I am thinking about getting my Concealed Handgun License (CHL). I'm stationed in TX but I am a FL resident. I plan on getting a FL permit. My question to the forum is how many of you permits, what do you use as a carry weapon (I don't mind if you don't want to share this G-2), and most importantly, how do you deal with transitting Federal land (On Post) and the civvie realm? I would have gotten my CHL back in 95 but I am almost always on Post. What are your feelings on this matter?

Doc Williams
U.S Army Combat Medic
1987 - ????

This post has been edited by Rampy: June 13th 2009 2:11 PM

Every base can be different. In the USAF it was up to the base commander as I've had a CC who allowed you to CC directly to and from your quarters to the gate, no stopping anywhere along the way. This CC had his own permit and felt it was safer to do it like this than to stop off base & arm up.

However, I've had other commanders who said NO and you had to arm up and clear the weapon off base & it was strongly encouraged NOT to carry a weapon off duty.

Living on base we had loaded firearms in base housing but at that time it was acceptable & we did not even have to register them with the armory or unit.

When transporting on base I always had the weapon separated from the ammo & the weapon was safed in a locking pistol case of some kind. Now when I'm on base I try to separate the weapon from the ammo but every now and again that's just not possible (traveling and stop on a base and carrying concealed) so we "wing" it trying to be as discrete and polite as possible. However, if at all possible I'll never ever take a loaded weapon on base.

Your best bet is to get a copy of what Army Regs & local OI's address this issue as I'm sure the base CC has addressed it in them. If you know any MP's you can ask them on the side.....

Unfortunately, every Army Fort and Camp I have been to has signage that states that concealed weapons are forbidden on the installation. We are allowed to leave Gov't quarters with weapons to travel to the range. My issue is how am I covered if I am concealed carrying and I come on post. Technically I am not allowed to have weapons in the vehicle (which is subject to search at any time). A case in point, I want to go to the outdoor Rec Range in the a.m. (I am working a 12hr night shift). The range opens at 0800 and I get off at 0700. You would think that I would be able to keep my AR-15 in the vehicle or in a case in my office. I guess I could but if I got caught then I have to explain to the CG why I had privately owned weapons in my vehicle on the installation or in my office (I work in a Medical Center and weapons are not allowed).

I think the Air Force has more progressive rules than the Army. Hell if I were living in the barracks I'd have to turn in my weapons to the Arms Room. Can you imagine the hassle of getting them out to go to a range on the spur of the moment?

In the AF if you lived in the dorm ya had to keep em off base or in the Security Police armory & have them registered with the SP's and your orderly room. It's a real pain getting them out of the armory & if the Sp's are issuing or turning in you can't do anything other than stand there and look stupid.....They also store ammo & have to count each incoming and outgoing round....

Last I knew the AF allows you to have a weapon or weapons in your POV for up to 24 hours on base without being considered storage, after 24hrs your screwed.....

So this summer when on vacation if we swing in to Ft. Riley and Ft. Leavenworth & I've got a unloaded cased AR in the vehicle (and a pistol) I'll be illegal to drive on post to hit the PX/Commissary/Museums......

I think you will be good to go because of the travel clause. Just keep a copy off your leave form in the vehicle and if you get selected for a random search and they find your hardware just show them that you are on leave from another installation and that should suffice. I wouldn't worry to much about your weapons when traveling. My concern is how do people that work on post deal with the federal jurisdiction when they carry daily. I know their are nurses and other staff that carry here at my post. Hell my Commander and 1sg were looking into taking a class to get their permits.

I understand exactly where you are coming from & had issues with it my entire career & more than once looked the other way........

I'm retired AF (Security Police), no leave form needed

However, will be in a out of state plated vehicle with a retired ID card so hopefully that will suffice if we get stopped in a RVI.

I wouldn't bring any weapon on base that is not gov owned. Cause the one time you do, you will be searched by some a-hole (like me) and taken down a peg or two. Rules are rules, and if you wish to bring it on base, explain your situation to somebody with the authority to grant permission instead of taking the risk. Because, if they find it and let you go, it is their rears on the line.

This post has been edited by Vodkaknight: June 24th 2009 9:26 PM

Hi Folks. I'm new to this forum but not a new guy by any means. U.S. Marine Corps retired (June '89 after 22 years) and 10 years LE. I've sereved as a weapons instructor, security chief, riot control chief and instructor as well as an armed/unarmed combat instructor.

Credentials being established, I must say that I find current rules for fire arms ownership and possession on base/post to be almost ludicrous, PARTICULARLY for military personnel. My first personal firearm was purchased at the MCX at Quantico, VA. I carried it with me all over the country and took it to Hawaii with me. Lived in base housing and was told it should be registered at the Hawaii PD. SOoooooooo, I took it to Honolulu to the PD. The desk Sgt. asked me why I wanted to register it there and I told him I was told it had to be. His reply," We've got too much going on to worry about you Marine Corps guys. You're the least of our problems, just don't shoot anybody unless you have to." At the time, on Kaneohe, we drove to the range with our firearms in our POVs. Here in Texas, it has been common practice for years to carry our rifle in the window of our pickup and/or a pistol/revolver in the car, loaded, with us.

Now, we can't buy firearms on base and on most installations, aren't allowed to keep them in quarters. Too many 'Fat Mommies' making the rules now. In addition, at Lackland AFB, one can't possess a firearm or other 'dangerous' weapon on base, as per XYZ regulation, posted at the gate.

Where does it end?? One would think that if young people are old enough to sign on the dotted line for combat service, they should be old enough to be trusted with their firearms. Make the punishment for misbehavior stern enough, and they should be able to be trusted.

Here in Texas, one can have a CCW at eighteen if one is on active duty. That's quite an honor. Question is, where do they keep it if they live on base?

I took an oath over 40 years ago 'To Protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, against ALL enemies, both foreign AND domestic, SO HELP ME GOD!" That oath is as valid today as the day I took it.

Semper Fi,

Wheeler

This post has been edited by Wheeler: June 25th 2009 3:35 AM

Wheeler, at one time on Offutt AFB back in the SAC days I took 10 M60's to the range with 5K rounds of ammo in the trunk of my 1970 Chevelle SS 396 & I was armed with a .38cal revolver & 18 rounds of ammo as a guard weapon.......

Try that now and ya would end up in the brig......

Ft Bragg, back in the 80's was hell. If you lived in the barracks, you had to store your privately owned weapons at the provost marshalls office. However, transport to and from the range on base was pretty much wide open.