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Who can concealed carry on base?

  • Published
  • By Dave Langdon
  • 42nd Security Forces Squadron

The commander of the 42nd Air Base Wing, Col. Eric Shafa, has authorized the concealed carry of privately owned firearm by qualified law enforcement officers and qualified retired or separated law enforcement officers who are Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act, or LEOSA, credentialed individuals.

Additionally, credentialed civilian law enforcement personnel and credentialed agents assigned to defense criminal investigative organizations can carry and secure privately owned handguns in privately owned vehicles within the legal boundaries of Maxwell Air Force Base provided they possess a current LEOSA credential, have completed the base registration process and have been firearms qualified within the last 12 months.

The Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act is a federal law that allows a qualified law enforcement officer or retired or separated law enforcement officer to carry a concealed firearm in any state and does not require the qualified LEOSA officer to carry a state-issued concealed carry permit. This does not allow the holder any authority to act on the base’s behalf or to exercise any law enforcement authority when off duty.

The commander’s decision does not permit carrying concealed weapons in any base medical facility, restricted area or controlled area containing firearms, ammunition, explosives or funds. These areas will be identified with a restricted/controlled area sign and another sign or marker identifying that concealed privately owned weapons are not permitted in that area or facility.

LEOSA credentialed personnel may temporarily store their privately owned firearm for up to 24 hours in their privately owned vehicle while on the base or when they must access prohibited concealed carry locations. When stored in their privately owned vehicle, the vehicle must be locked at all times when unattended. Storage should be done in an appropriate weapons case or vehicle compartment. As used here, a “compartment” is a closed compartment (i.e. glove box, center console, lock box, case, etc.) that makes the firearm not visible from the outside of the vehicle. Lockable containers are preferred; however, they not required when the vehicle is secured properly.  

LEOSA credentialed personnel must not be on a home-station or any local “Do Not Arm” rosters. They will not conceal carry any personally owned firearms on their person while in military or Department of the Air Force police uniforms, and they will not carry a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or substance.

LEOSA credentialed personnel stopped for base entry point checks, traffic violations or for any other reason by law enforcement or command officials must immediately inform law enforcement or command officials that there is a privately owned firearm in the vehicle or on their person. They must be able to produce their LEOSA credentials and proof of training, may be apprehended or detained for failure to inform law enforcement or command officials that they are carrying a concealed privately owned firearm under LEOSA and may have their privately owned firearm temporarily confiscated until they can produce LEOSA credentials.

Credentialed personnel must register their LEOSA qualification with the visitor’s center to allow LEOSA identification in the Defense Biometric Identification System, or DBIDS, if remaining on the installation for more than 30 days and wishing to carry concealed privately owned firearms within the legal boundary of Maxwell Air Force Base.

Authorized individuals who violate any of the procedures may lose their privilege to carry a privately owned firearm concealed on the installation or to store their privately owned firearm in their vehicle while on base. The installation commander or the defense force commander can restrict the carry or impose additional sanctions and controls for installation LEOSA concealed carry of privately owned weapons at any time.

This change in policy does not change base transportation or carry of firearms for non-LEOSA personnel. The concealed carry or transport of concealed firearms by all other personnel is strictly forbidden.