USAF Base Allows Firearms to be left in Private Vehicles… According to the official Facebook page of Seymour Johnson AFB in North Carolina, home of the 4th Fighter Wing, a major change in their policy regarding personal owned firearms on the base. The new policy with accompanying informational video was released to help both Military members and Civilian families and staff adhere to the new standards and clear up any “E-4 Mafia” misinformation. This shift in policy from a major military installation might be the beginning of people actually being able to keep a lawfully owned firearm in their vehicle without having to worry about facing serious repercussions.
The new policy states :
This provision applies to any Active Duty/Active Reserve military member, Air National Gaurd/Department of Defense civilian, or dependent, 21 years and older that meets all of the following criteria:
1) Assigned to SJAFB.
2) Qualified to legally possess a N.C. Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) permit.
3) Possesses a current N.C. CCW permit or a CCW permit from a state with reciprocity to N.C.
Members possessing a CCW permit residing off base and wishing to store their POW in their POV while on duty must register each POW with the Security Forces Armory VIA THEIR CHAIN OF COMMAND USING AF Form 1314. In addition to registering with the Security Forces Armory, the CCW permit holder must provide a memorandum to their commander which indicates that the member has read and understands the rules and regulations regarding the transportation and storage of a POW in a POV. PA sent out a sample memorandum in a basewide e-mail, Dec. 8. A CCW permit holder may not transport and store their POWs in a POV until their commander has endorsed the memorandum.
Dependents 21 years and older, with a CCW permit from N.C. or reciprocal state, wishing to store their POWs in their POVs must follow the same registration process through their sponsor’s chain of command. CCW permit holders may temporarily store POWs in their POV when transitioning on and off the installation IAW federal law, DoD regulations, and N.C. State law.
Members must secure POWs in the vehicle at the member’s first stop upon entering the installation. The POW will never leave the vehicle while transitioning from carry to storage.
Members must secure POWs in a locked container which hides the firearm from view outside of the vehicle. This may be a locked glove box, center console, or a commercially purchased lockable weapons case.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES will a POW be carried on the person (even in the event of an active shooter) with the following exceptions:
1) The initial transport to the first on-base destination. Once arrived, the member will immediately store the POW without exiting the vehicle.
2) The member may re-arm inside their vehicle when transitioning off the installation at the end of their duty day.
3) If the member resides in on-base housing and stores the weapon in the same location, the member may exit the vehicle in the driveway or in the garage and must proceed immediately to the storage location to properly store the POW.
