JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
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!