Gun Owners: Know the rules Published Feb. 7, 2011 By Senior Airman Torey Griffith 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- We are all educated warrior Airmen. But not every Airman is an educated rifleman. Here in Missouri there are many opportunities to hunt and shoot for sport. Additionally, many use firearms for home or self protection. Regardless of what you use your firearms for, if you live on, work on, or visit the base, there are some special rules to follow that govern the use of personal firearms. Whiteman Air Force Base Instruction 31-101v2, Integrated Base Defense Instruction, covers the ownership, storage and transportation of firearms while on this Air Force Global Strike Command base. Below are some excerpts from WAFBI 31-101v2 that every gun owner and potential gun owner should know. If you live on base and want to own a firearm: 7.6.1.1. No private firearms or ammunition will be brought into bachelor or transient quarters for any reason. 7.6.1.2. Persons residing in these types of quarters will store their firearms or ammunition either in the Security Forces armory or off-base. Maintaining the firearm in military family housing to circumvent registration or storage requirements is prohibited. 7.6.2. Military Family Housing 7.6.2.1. Privately owned weapons and ammunition will be securely stored in appropriately constructed storage containers with tamper-resistant mechanical lock to prevent access by children or unauthorized individuals. Alternately, a safety device such as a trigger guard may be used, as long as the above result is achieved. The owner must control the keys. Children are prohibited access to weapons unless supervised by parent or guardian at all times. 7.6.2.2. Firearms will be stored in an unloaded condition. 7.6.2.3. Detachable, box-type ammunition magazines will be stored in an unloaded configuration. When transporting firearms on base: 7.1.1.1. During transport, personnel will declare all weapons to the installation entry controller upon entering the base. Personnel will also declare these weapon(s) to SF personnel if stopped for any reason. According to Mr. Jerry Osban of the 509th Security Forces Squadron, "When declaring the weapons to the entry controller, the entry controller will remind you of the requirement to abide by the regulations on transport and storage of weapons. The armory is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will gladly store your firearms," he added. 7.6.3.2. At no time will firearms be left unsecured in vehicles. To include for brief periods during transport, such as a stop for gasoline, ice, etc. 7.6.3.3. All firearms will be transported unloaded and in a manner that allows the weapon to be easily recognizable as unloaded. Firearms and ammunition must be stored separately. 7.6.3.4. Firearms purchased from AAFES will be taken directly off base or to MFH. Firearms will not be left unattended in a vehicle in order to continue shopping at any on base establishment. 7.6.3.4.1. AAFES will not store or hold firearms once the purchase is complete. 7.6.3.4.2. Firearms purchased from AAFES during lunch hours or times when the person making the purchase cannot take the firearm directly off base or to MFH will be stored in the Security Forces armory. Storing them in an office desk or locker or anywhere else is prohibited. "What people have to understand is that it is not permissible to leave a firearm unattended in a vehicle for any length of time," said Donald Macmillan, 509th Security Forces Squadron chief of plans and programs. "I know many people like to hunt before and after work. It is inconvenient and cuts into hunting time to bring their firearm to an authorized storage location during the day, but it is the rule." A permit to conceal and carry firearms in Missouri or any other state is not valid on any military installation. 7.7.2.4. Dangerous weapons will not be routinely carried on the installation. MFH occupants can transport weapons from their residents to activities such as (hunting, shooting ranges) and back as long as they meet guidelines set in paragraph 7.6.3.2. and 7.6.3.3. NOTE: Personnel that have attended/completed a concealed carry class and are in possession of a conceal carry permit are prohibited from carrying a concealed weapon on base at any time. "The authority for a person to carry a firearm concealed is regulated by each state," said Mr. Macmillan. "Since Whiteman is exclusive federal property, the authority does not apply to the installation." This prohibition applies to conceal carry on person as well as in a vehicle. 7.7.2.5. Dangerous weapons may be transported in vehicles between storage areas, from a storage area directly off-base and vice-versa. While transporting, the weapons will not be within reach of any vehicle occupant. "This rule is designed to keep the vehicle occupants safe," said Mr. Macmillan. "If they are pulled over by security forces and the patrolman sees a weapon within an arm's reach of a person inside of the vehicle, tensions could quickly escalate. That's why it is important to not only keep the weapon out of reach, but also declare it upon first contact with a security forces patrolman during a traffic stop." For more information, consult chapter seven of WFBI 31-101v2, or call Jerry Osban or Donald Macmillan at (660) 687-4482.