JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
As of Sept. 1, Texans can now carry handguns without a license or training, after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed the permitless carry bill into law.
House Bill 1927, also known as the Firearm Carry Act of 2021, eliminates the requirement for Texas residents to obtain a license to carry handguns if they’re not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a gun.
However, these changes do not apply at Joint Base San Antonio.
“Federal law prohibits the carrying of firearms in federal and government facilities and all JBSA locations will continue to prohibit both open and concealed carry of privately owned firearms, or POFs, by military members and civilians,” said Tim Heintzelman, Chief of Plans and Programs for the 502nd Security Forces Group at JBSA-Randolph. “This prohibition applies to all JBSA facilities both inside and outside the fence line, including leased government property.”
Texas joins 19 other states with permitless or constitutional carry laws that allow Texans 21 and over to carry handguns — openly or concealed — without obtaining a state-issued license, so long they are not excluded from possessing a firearm by another federal or state law. A background check is still required for the purchase of a firearm.
“Previously, Texans who wanted to carry a pistol needed a state-issued license that required training, a proficiency exam and a background check,” Heintzelman said. “Any Texan currently disqualified from possessing a firearm will still be prohibited under the new law. Lawmakers also raised the penalties for illegal weapons carried by felons and those convicted of family violence offenses.
“For residents of base housing, firearms must be registered with Security Forces,” he added. “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.”
Residents are given 30 days from the date of weapons purchase or move-in to submit the paperwork to the Security Forces armory. Up to five firearms can be registered on the AF Form 1314 Firearms Registration, which must be signed by the service member’s commander. In addition, members must complete the Department of Defense Form 2760 Qualification to Possess Firearms or Ammunition.
“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,” Heintzelman said. “Residents or visitors at these facilities must immediately store any POFs in a Security Forces Armory.”
Under the new Texas law, a person can carry a handgun either concealed or carried openly in a holster, but along with all federal property and government buildings, there are still certain public places where firearms are not allowed, even under constitutional carry, unless the person is a licensed peace officer.
Those include:
- Bars and other businesses that make 51% of their receipts from alcohol
- Schools
- Sporting events and horse or dog races
- Polling places
- Airports
- Courtrooms
- Jails and prisons
- Government buildings
- Hospitals
- National park buildings (that includes the San Antonio Missions and The Alamo)
- Private businesses or land in which the owner has signage posted outlawing weapons
“The bottom line is that JBSA is a complex environment and allowing everyone to carry a concealed handgun will make the job of our security professionals more difficult; thus, the workforce and our families may be at risk,” Heintzelman said. “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.”
For more information or questions concerning the privately owned weapons policy for JBSA-Lackland, call Security Forces Pass and Registration at 671-9162 during duty hours and the Base Defense Operations Center at 671-2017 during non-duty hours. For JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and JBSA-Camp Bullis, call Security Forces Pass and Registration at 221-0213 during duty hours and the Base Defense Operations Center at 221-2222 during non-duty hours.