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JBSA News
NEWS | Jan. 28, 2016

Texas firearms laws changes do not apply on JBSA

502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio commander

As most of you are aware, as of Jan. 1, a Texas law now allows citizens with a concealed handgun license to openly carry a handgun. With a license, license holders may now carry a handgun concealed or in plain sight using either a shoulder or belt holster in most places.

Even so, I want to be perfectly clear, these changes do not apply to Joint Base San Antonio. Federal law prohibits the carrying of firearms in federal facilities and as the installation commander, I want to make sure you understand that all JBSA locations will continue to prohibit both open and concealed carry of privately owned firearms, or POFs, by military members and civilians. This prohibition applies to all JBSA facilities both inside and outside the fence line. State concealed carry licenses and Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act credentials are not valid on JBSA.

All privately owned firearms on JBSA are subject to the following restrictions:

1) POFs within JBSA must be registered with Security Forces via Air Force Form 1314. Once registered, they may be stored in military/privatized housing if they are secured in an appropriate locked container. They must also be rendered inoperable to unauthorized users by mechanical locks or other safety devices. POFs and/or ammunition shall not be stored in vehicles, barracks, unaccompanied quarters, transient quarters, dormitories, lodging rooms, temporary lodging facilities, privatized lodging, guest houses, or JBSA camping and recreational vehicle areas. Residents or visitors at these facilities must immediately store any POFs in a Security Forces Armory.

2) If transporting a POF on JBSA, it must be unloaded, separated from ammunition and transported in the rear-most portion of the vehicle. Individuals transporting a POF must notify entry controllers of the POF when entering JBSA. They must then proceed directly to the appropriate range or authorized storage facility and cannot store their POF in the vehicle for later use.  POFs shall not be transported on motorcycles, bicycles or other two or three-wheeled vehicles.

Please also note that across the state of Texas, handgun carry is still prohibited in some places. For example, it will still be a felony to carry a firearm onto the premises of a business like a bar at which more than 51 percent of the revenue comes from the sale of alcohol. It will also still be illegal to carry a firearm into courts or court offices, election polling places, racetracks, public sporting events, and secured areas of airports. You also cannot carry a gun if you are intoxicated. Additionally, private property owners may prohibit individuals from carrying a handgun, either concealed or openly, on their property.

Bottom line: JBSA is a complex environment and it is my judgment that allowing everyone to carry a concealed handgun will make the job of our security professionals more difficult; thus, the workforce and our families would be less safe.

JBSA is a complex environment. Fortunately, we have exceptional security forces and investigation professionals who are on duty 24/7/365 ensuring the safety, security and asset protection for all of us who live and work on JBSA.

Therefore, if you plan to own a handgun, it is your responsibility to obtain the required training and licenses, to follow the law and requirements of JBSA and to become familiar with the applicable laws in your jurisdiction and across the State so that you do not violate those provisions.

As always, please accept my thanks to all of you and your families for your hard work, dedication and the professionalism you

display daily in executing your part of the critical missions that provide for the security of this great nation!